Western Conference Semifinal, Game 2: Blackhawks 4, Wild 1 – Recap

After winning game one Friday, the Hawks looked to expand their lead in the series on Sunday night. Good defensive play from both sides resulted in only a few shots early. None got by either Devan Dubnyk or Corey Crawford. The Hawks got a power play 9:22 in after a questionable goalie interference call on Thomas Vanek. The Hawks would come up empty on the man advantage. Both teams would have chances during the remainder of the period; the Hawks had a few more, but it was irrelevant, as neither team scored. After one, we were as we began.

The beginning of the second delivered more of what we saw in the first. The Hawks would head to the penalty kill 10:45 into the period when Andrew Shaw was sent off for an idiotic cross-check. The Hawks not only killed off the penalty, but also scored a short-handed goal when Jonathan Toews got a fortunate bounce off of Dubnyk’s stick after a 2-on-0 with Marian Hossa just under twelve-and-a-half minutes into the second. The Hawks expanded the lead to 2-0 19:40 into the period when Patrick Kane beat Dubnyk. With two seconds to play in the period, Michal Roszival was sent off for interference. The Wild tried to score off the face-off, but were unable to do so, and after two, the Hawks led 2-0, but would be short-handed for the first 1:58 of the third.

The Hawks started the third on the penalty kill, attempting to kill off Roszival’s penalty. The Wild converted 1:20 into the period on a bad goal given up by Crawford off the stick of Matt Dumba. The Hawks would get a power play 4:45 into the period after Mikko Koivu was sent off for tripping. The Hawks would get a couple nice looks, but would come away empty. Patrick Sharp put the lead back to 2 7:39 into the period, beating Dubnyk after a great play by Teuvo Teräväinen. With 2:07 to play and Dubnyk on the Minnesota bench in favor of the extra attacker, Patrick Kane scored his second goal of the game to give the Hawks a 4-1 lead. This would be the final score.

My picks for 3 stars:

★★★ Patrick Sharp, LW, CHI (1 G, 1 A)

★★ Teuvo Teräväinen, F, CHI (1 A)

★ Patrick Kane, RW, CHI (2 G (GWG))

Twitter: @KSchroeder2325

E-mail: schroeder.giig@gmail.com

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