Hawks Swept in Western Finals

(AP) Chicago Earlier this week the 'hawks lost the GLHL14 Western Conference Finals to the Minnesota Wild.
Yep, the brooms were out for the Wild fans as they totally annihilated and embarrassed the 'hawks in a 4 game sweep.
In being led by goalkeeper Roberto Luongo, the Wild took the Conference by identical scores of 5-2 in the first two games in Minnesota. The two games at the United Center in Chicago were won by the Wild with scores of 4-3 in OT for Gm3 and 3-2 in regulation in Gm4.
The Wild's power play was outstanding in the series while the 'hawks penalty killing units need to go back to the drawing board.
The Wild were 6 for 19 (31.6%) on the pp in the series while the 'hawks were a paltry 1 for 19 (5%). That gives the Wild a phenomenal penalty kill rate of 95% with the 'hawks posting an embarrassing 76% kill rate.
Special teams were obviously a key to the Wild's Western Conference title.
Yep, Jagr was basically a non-factor in another playoff series this year for the 'hawks.
While Jagr did light the lamp twice in Gm3 of the Conference Finals, it was too little, too late for the 'hawks Championship hopes.
Of course, without him, the 'hawks don't get to the playoffs and the finals.
Windy City Ramblings
The GLHL14 Championship Series will pit the Minnesota Wild against the Eastern Conference Champion New York Islanders. Yep, the same Isles who Lord Byron Dafoe was traded to by the 'hawks earlier this season. Now Dafoe leads the Isles to the Championship Series! Chicago's management is getting some grief over that one. Deservedly so.
The Wild are gunning for their second consecutive GLHL Cup!

Hawks Advance to Conference Finals

(AP) Joe Louis Arena, Detroit, MI

In a stunning turn of events the Chicago Blackhawks upset the Western Conference Central Division winning Detroit Red Wings in 7 games. In doing do the 'hawks surprised not only this writer but other followers of the Great Lakes Hockey League to be sure. The game was not without it's drama as it took overtime to decide yet another contest in this barnburner of a series between two heated rivals!
In all, 11 goals were scored in the Gm7 with netminders Turco (Det) facing off against Halak (Chi). During the contest Turco stopped 35 of 31 shots lauched by the hawks, while Halak (left) turned aside 38 of 43 shots in an equal goaltending performance. Turco was supposed to be the difference with Huet injured for the 'hawks but Halak put in a performance that had the 'hawks faithful in attendance ecstatic.
Six different Blackhawks scored during the contest. Likewise 5 different players scored for the Red Wings. Scoring for the 'hawks were Stevie Kariya (2) 04:38 of the 1st, Roenick (12) 04:47 of the 1st, Jagr (3) 04:24 of the 2nd, Hrdina (6) at 14:43 of the 2nd, Parrish (3) at 16:33 of the 3rd, with Foote (2) scoring the game winner at 05:03 of OT on a shot from the point that was screened by Shanny. Assists went to Jagr and Shanny on the game winner.
Scoring for the Wings were Fedorov (3) at 10:42 of the 1st, Lindros (3) at 10:35 of the 2nd, Hejduk (7) at 12:04 of the 2nd, Zetterberg (3) at 18:22 of the 2nd and Malhotra (1st) at 15:14 of the 3rd. As you can see the score went back and forth during the entire game. What was even more remarkable is that the 'hawks still managed to win with the Red Wings going 3 for 5 on the power play! All of the 'hawks goals came during even strength situations and they didn't have one pp during the entire game!
Windy City Ramblings
What certainly had a major impact in the outcome of the game was a freak injury to stalwart blueliner Chris Pronger of the Red Wings when stepping onto the ice for his first shift of the game! What exactly transpired is still a mystery. No injury report has been forthcoming from the Detroit front office in the aftermath of the loss. Also injured during the game was blueliner Mike Komisarek of the Wings after logging 17 minutes of ice time. As a result the Red Wings defense corps was decimated and finsihed the game with only 4 defensemen. These injuries, unfortunately, had a major impact on the outcome of the contest.
"Hey", GM Poelker of the Blackhawks said, "We don't like to win that way. No one does. But that's part of our great game and the 'hawks will certainly take it. We offer our congratulations to a formidable foe, The Red Wings of Detroit."
The 'hawks will face another formidable foe in the Western Conference Finals. That being the defending GLHL Cup Champion Minnesota Wild of GM and Coach Blake Wendt.
Blackhawks Huet and Tucker will be suiting up for Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals.
Can the 'hawks win again without home ice advantage? Stay tuned........

Hawk-Wings Tied 3-3 in Semis

(AP) United Center, Chicago, IL

The Wings came into the Windy City tonight looking to close out the semi finals and advance to the Conference finals. The Blackhawks had other ideas. Hrdina (5) opened the scoring for the 'hawks at 10:56 of the 1st on assists from Parrish & Hill. Just over 5 minutes later the 'hawks suffered an injury and it turned out to be a major blow. There was a pileup in Huet's crease and Cristobal had to be helped from the ice by two trainers. It appears to be a knee injury but the extent is unknown at presstime. Jaroslav Halak (pic) had to play for the injured Huet. Well, maybe the injury will be a blessing in disguise because Halak was outstanding!! The Red Wings stormed his net time and again only to be totally stoned by Halak! The fans were on the edges of their seats hoping for another goal when Giuliano (2), of all 'hawks, scored on the backhand over Turco's shoulder at 03:35 of the 2nd. The lone assist went to linemate Nelson. The score remained that way as Halak stoned the Wings throughout the rest of the game and the 'hawks came away with a 2-0 win to tie the series. Halak, of course, was easily the 1st star of the game in stopping 25 of 25 shots. Huet was awarded the win and stopped 12 of 12 himself prior to his injury.
Windy City Ramblings
Game 7 back at Joe Louis in Detroit will see Halak having to start in place of the injured Huet. Hopefully he can perform his magic away from the United Center and get the Blackhawks to the Conference Finals. Berkhoel will be on the bench as Halak's backup.
Gm5 in Detroit had been won by the Wings in OT. The game winner was scored by Hejduk. Gm4, that was played at the United Center in Chicago, had also been won by the Wings 4-2 in regulation in evening the series at 2-2. Darcy Tucker was injured in that contest for the 'hawks. Unfortunatley, he'll still be unavailable for Gm 7. So the Blackhawks will have to defeat the mighty Red Wings without Tuck & Huet. It's possible if Jagr can get off his dead !#$%, otherwise it'll be time for vacation.