The Ticket Chest

Blackhawks Top Sharks 3-2 in Thrilling Overtime Win, 1 Game Away From Stanley Cup

Saturday, May 22nd, 2010 | Chicago Blackhawks, Montreal Canadiens, NHL, Philadelphia Flyers, San Jose Sharks, Sports | No Comments

The Blackhawks defeated the Sharks 3-2 in overtime on Friday night at the United Center in Chicago.  The Blackhawks need just 1 more win to advance to their first Stanley Cup appearance since 1992.

After a scoreless 1st period, each team scored on a power play goal in the 2nd period.  Patrick Marleau scored 4 minutes into the period and Patrick Sharp answered for the Blackhawks just 3 minutes later.

It was still tied at 1 to start the 3rd period, but the Sharks came out firing on all cylinders in the final frame.  Although the Sharks would end up out-shotting the Hakws in the period by an 18-6 margin, it was the Blackhawks who answered the call with less than 7 minutes to play on Dave Bolland’s goal.  It looked like the Hawks would get the in regulation, but Marleau knocked in his 2nd goal of the game with less than 5 minutes to play.

So to overtime we go.  This period, the Hawks were the aggressor, sensing a chance to put the series away for good with a win.  The Hawks quickly outshot the Sharks 11-5, and at the 12:24 mark of the 1st overtime period, Bolland fed a wide open Dustin Byfuglien in front of the net for the game winner.  It was the 4th straight game in which Byfuglien has scored a goal and it was his 7th goal of the post-season.  Byfuglien is quickly turning into one of the most productive forwards for the Hawks in the playoffs as other teams focus on the more well-known goal scoring prowess of Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews and Marian Hossa.

But let’s not forget about the fabulous goal-tending of Antti Niemi.  The Sahrks literally threw everything but the kitchen sink at Niemi and he still managed to hold down the fort.  It was the 2nd game of the series in which Niemi saved 44 shots.  Unbelievable!  Outstanding!  Superb!  The rookie has proved everyone wrong, as it is clear that Niemi has what it takes to lead a team to 16 wins during any given post-season to capture the Stanley Cup crown.  IN the 3-game series thus far, Niemi has made 113 total saves, while allowing just 5 goals. This to one of the most productive offenses in all of hockey.  It is truly a special thing to be able to watch Niemi night in and night out.

Captain Jonathan Toews (just 22 years of gae) also set a Hawks’ franchise playoff record by recording at least 1 point in 12 straight post-season games (he had 2 assists in the win).  Toews was honored to set the record and is even more jacked to get a chance to play in his first ever Stanley Cup — “I mean, you’re not going to get too high on yourself or too full of yourself like that.  You got to do the right things and play the right way if you’re going to have success… We’ve done that.  There’s nothing about us that says we’re unbeatable.  As soon as we get away from playing our game, you know, we’re a mediocre average team.  We got to go out there, work hard, stick to our guns, stick to how we learned to play this year.  The way we’re going to be tough to beat.”  Sounds like a man who knows where his team is headed – straight to hoisting that magnificent Stanley Cup after 5 more wins this post-season.

Game 4 is Sunday afternoon at the United Center.

Tags: Antti Niemi, Dave Bolland, Patrick Sharp, ustin Byfuglien