UA-59049186-1 Western Conference Final, Game 1: Ducks 4, Blackhawks 1 - Recap - Good if it Goes

Western Conference Final, Game 1: Ducks 4, Blackhawks 1 – Recap

After a long break following a sweep of the Minnesota Wild, the Hawks were in Anaheim Sunday for game 1 of the Western Conference Final. The Hawks would get the series’ first power play 1:18 into the game when Corey Perry was sent off for slashing. Though the Hawks outplayed the Ducks early on, the Ducks got the game’s first goal when Hampus Lindholm beat Corey Crawford with a one-timer 8:48 in. The Hawks would control the action the rest of the way in the first, but would be unable to score. After one, it was 1-0 Ducks.

The Hawks picked up right where they left off to start the second and controlled the action early on. However, the Ducks were able to expand the lead to 2-0 4:17 into the period on a goal by Kyle Palmieri. The Ducks would get their first power play of the game 12:23 into the period when Niklas Hjalmarsson was sent off for tripping. The Hawks would be able to kill off the penalty. The Hawks would struggle to get opportunities for a while, but with 40 seconds to play, Brad Richards stole the puck and beat Frederik Andersen to cut the Anaheim lead to 1. This would be the final goal scored in the second, and after two periods, the Hawks trailed 2-1.

Just over three minutes into the third, the Hawks went to the power play after Simon Despres was sent off for holding. The Hawks would be unable to get set up until late in the power play and would come away empty. Twenty-eight seconds after the Despres penalty ended, the Hawks went back to the power play when Ryan Kesler was sent off for hooking. The Hawks would have a few looks this time, but the result would be the same as their previous two power plays. Just over twelve minutes into the third, the Ducks put the lead back to two when Nate Thompson scored on a rebound given up by Crawford. After Crawford was pulled for the extra attacker, the Hawks would get a couple looks, but no goals. Anaheim would tack on an empty netter 18:42 into the period. Jakob Silfverberg would get credit for the goal. This would be the final goal scored, and the Hawks would drop game 1 4-1.

My picks for 3 stars:

★★★Jakob Silfverberg, RW, ANA (1 G, 1 A)

★★ Nate Thompson, C, ANA (1 G, 1 A)

★ Hampus Lindholm, D, ANA (1 G, 1 A)

Twitter: @KSchroeder2325

E-mail: schroeder.giig@gmail.com

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