The Black
Hawks escape with an overtime win in Game 1 and now come into Game 2 with a
chance to go up 2-0 before heading to Minnesota. A split in Chicago I will
take. It is a tremendous challenge for the underdog Wild. The pressure is on so
how will the Wild perform?
First period
I held by breath a lot with all the quality chances the Black Hawks had. Goalie
Josh Harding came to play once again only giving up 1 goal in 15 shots. We survived
the onslaught for now. I felt only down 1-0 after watching the Hawks dominate
there might be hope.
The second period
Wild finally gets a power play and I thought a chance to tie it up making the
crowd a little nervous. What a time to
give up the Wild’s first shorthanded goal of the year. Oh boy down 2-0 on the
road against the Stanley Cup Champ favorite do we have a chance? Devin
Setogughi answered on the beautiful feed from Cullen making it 2-1. My thought
still continues I really feel we have a chance to steal one on the road. The
Wild just do not quit and I love that about this team.
Black Hawks
score making it 3-1 as my heart was breaking giving me the feeling like this
team is in trouble. Chicago up 4-1 and then Wild make it 4-2 again a sign of
fight to the end. Empty net goal Hawks win 5-2 and go up 2-0 in the series.
I have to
take the positives I saw because I am sorry I just do not believe the Wild are
out of this series. Yes, we are down 2-0 but the Wild showed me some grittiness
in not quitting.
The blocking
of Black Hawks shots continues to be a story line in the first 2 games. The
goaltending by Harding is unbelievable. In facing over 80 shots by this high
powered Black Hawks team Harding has been the team MVP thus far. The goals he
gave up Friday I do not know of too many goalies that could have stopped these.
Black Hawks
have scored 7 in the first 2 but none by Patrick Kane or Jonathon Toews as of
yet. I will say that Kane is unbelievable with the puck and how he makes it
look so effortless.
The Wild
power play looked extremely good in the 2nd period with Parise having 7 shots
alone jabbing and jabbing away in one of the opportunities.
I am
concerned with the punishment the Hawks dished out to Koivu with no penalties
called. The one where he clearly gets punched in the head and of course gets
the penalty on retaliating. Has Koivu ever taken 3 penalties in one game? The
sign of frustration is concerning.
The Black
Hawks did what they had to and that was winning both at home. The scene moves
to Minnesota where the State of Hockey will be behind these players 100%.
I am not convinced
Black Hawk goalie Crawford is good enough to make the Cup run. I am hoping the
Wild put 50-60 shots on goal. The hope is to see the team shoot high on him.
They can beat him just shoot, shoot, shoot. Please don’t look for the perfect
pass just pepper away.
A win is a
must, making the series 2-1 giving the Hawks some doubts and worry after the
last 2 years going out in the first round.
The Black
Hawks are the best team in the NHL to date but I feel a home crowd will put
this Wild team over the edge. It can and will be done. A win on Sunday is the
medicine the doctor ordered. Wild will win 4-1
I will be at
the game Sunday. It will be my first playoff game ever including the North
Stars years. This Wild team has showed they can play with the Hawks. We need to
be more physical and just shoot the heck out of the puck and a victory we will
see at the X.
Thanks for
reading
Purplestick
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