at the beginning of the series had you said that the Hawks would almost entirely (save for one PP) shutdown the Sedins you would probably think the Hawks would have at least a 3-1 lead. Granted after the way the Hawks offense sputtered at home in this series I’m happy to be tied 2-2 but when the opposition’s top scorers are getting shutdown you’d like to be better than even but that’s where having the best goalie in the world, and an entire roster committed to playing solid team defense comes into play. Kane and some other Hawks should take note of that.

I think you phrased it about as accurately as anyone can. I don’t know what Vancouver will do differently, short of some new lines, in game five. They don’t mind trapping at home, but the lesson learned in game two was we can’t trade chances with the Hawks back and forth. Game four showed we can’t sit back and milk a slim lead and expect to win either.

Will say this though: it’s a hell of a series. I didn’t see much of your first round but this is by far more interesting then ours (and that’s not taking anything away from the Blues. Just saying ’Nucks and Hawks are very well matched up)

Vancouver’s best chance is to jet to an early lead by being aggressive and then rely on the trap to hold.

The challenge for Vancouver in doing this is that it is when they get aggressive that our best chances happen. The challenge for the Hawks is to limit youthful mistakes in passing and staying out of the box when they do get their chances.

Mistakes are increasingly magnified as teams figure each other out. The Hawks have to be 100% on the PK and have to score on the PP.

but its always cringe-worthy when Rick Morrisey tries to write about the Hawks. Today’s article is no exception. It will also provide everyone’s local “shoooot!” guy with some more ammo…

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/hockey/blackhawks/chi-08-morrissey-blackhawks-may08,0,7612837.column

I think that’s new. If not, I just noticed it.

boy are there some idiots on that side.

“A bit late to the party here. My thoughts are as follows.
1.) We played pretty much the perfect roadgame. The Havlat goal was a bad break and they happen.
2.) Chicago HAS to be breathin a sigh of relief, they got dominated both games at home but still managed a split.
3.) Toews HAS to be hurt, there was a shot of him at the bench rollin his shoulder and grimacin tonight. I bet that a strained shoulder or torn labrum is keepin him down.
4.) This series is 2-2, but in my mind its there for the Nucks takin. Chicago has no answer for our defensive game, the youth just doesnt have the experience.”

I had to answer with :

EXPERIENCE IS OVERRATED, OVERTIME GOALS ARE NOT

First, the Havlat goal was bad defensive positioning coupled by a gutty dig out on the boards by Ladd.
Second, I’ll give them dominating game 3, but it’s wishful thinking to think they dominated Game 4. Luongo is the only reason that game wasn’t 3-1 or 4-1.

I was pretty trollish, over there, just to rile them up and I refuted his points, basically saying:

1. BORING BORING BORING, YOU PLAYED A STUPID ROAD GAME AND BASICALLY GOT LUCKY ON YOUR ONLY GOAL. WAKE THE FUCK UP AND PLAY SOME HOCKEY.

2. GAME 3 YES, GAME 4 NOT SO MUCH. LU WAS STANDING ON HIS HEAD MORE THAN KHABI WAS, AND YOU GUYS DIDNT HAVE MUCH OFFENSE AFTER THE 2ND PERIOD. KEEP PLAYING THE TRAP DEFENSE. ZZZZZZZZZZZZ

3. GOOD CHANCE, IT’S THE PLAYOFFS YOU SUCK IT UP.

4. EXPERIENCE IS OVERRATED. OVERTIME GOALS ARE NOT.

to which some genius named “Nuckels” (wow how clever and witty….)
responds with this crap obviously seen through canadian lebat blue goggles:

Hmmm, obviously we were watchin different games.

1. We did dominate, Chicago probably hasnt played a game all year as badly at home as the last 2. Oh wait, there was one late in the season VS Vancouver where they got shut down just as badly.
2. Lou didnt stand on his head, he made a couple great saves in the 2nd, but that was it. Khabi did his part also, but the chances were pretty even. The commentators can run out there numbers all they want. We know though when a scoring chance is a real one or not.
3. I’m not knockin Toews, i’m just pretty sure he’s hurt. Its an indirect compliment, cause he is an all-world player. I expected him to not put up to many points, but I still thought he would be a force.
4. The Nucks will win this series, last night was a glitch for the team. Hawks are done, and they will bank this year as a success cause of the all the experience they are getting.

Enjoy your last few games of the year.

I’m not being a complete dick, just trying to rub it in that they played the most boring 60 minutes of hockey and got what they deserved.

I just had to after the Nucks in 5 crap they were slinging a few days ago.

also, put any other goalie in the league in there instead of Lu and it’s a 3-1 game in the 2nd imo

“Canucks D Kevin Bieksa, who left early in overtime Thursday and was spotted limping after the game, said he will play Saturday, calling it a ‘lower-body injury, but nothing serious.’”

He says after the game that Havla “fanned on his shot” umm how about you fanned on the save you Egotistical maniac. Oh why don’t you throw your team under the bus too and say they sholdn’t allow that many chances.

Here’s to Buff taking your head clear off this time, tonight!!

Go hawks.