Blackhawks Deny Sharks Again, Take 2-0 Series Lead
By Marcus Gilmer in News on May 19, 2010 2:00PM
The Blackhawks again denied San Jose on their home ice, cruising past the Sharks 4-2 and taking a 2-0 series lead as the Western Conference finals shifts to Chicago. While not as fast-paced and hectic as Game One, Game Two still had plenty of physical action for both squads. Andrew Ladd scored over halfway through the first to give the 'Hawks a quick 1-0 lead. A pair of tip-ins early in the second period would help them expand that lead: Dustin Byfuglien tipped in a shot from Patrick Kane and a minute and a half later, on a power play, Jonathan Toews would do the same off a Duncan Keith shot to give Chicago a commanding 3-0 lead.
The Sharks finally got a shot past Antti Niemi on a power play in the second, but the 'Hawks still held a 3-1 lead. Early in the third, Troy Brouwer would add a key insurance goal to make it 4-1 'Hawks. The Sharks scored again late, but a late penalty meant the Sharks simply evened the ice instead of getting a man advantage in the closing minutes of the game. Antti Niemi wasn't forced to make 40+ saves again as the Sharks only got off 27 shots this time around, but he was still sharp, stopping 25 of 27 shots faced (1 of 2 on power plays).
The win is the 'Hawks seventh straight road victory this post-season, tying an NHL record for consecutive road wins in a single playoffs. The 'Hawks are 7-1 on the road in the playoffs so far while only 3-3 in the comfort of the United Center. But defenseman Brian Campbell says the team isn't getting too far ahead of themselves: "We're just playing some gutsy hockey on the road. We have to take that back home to the United Center and make that a tough place to play."
The game also had its physical moments; a nice feud between Dave Bolland and the Sharks' Joe Thornton is developing as the two went after each other all night, peaking with Thornton blatantly slashing Bolland across the wrist before a face-off midway through the third. A scuffle in the final minute also showed the Sharks frustration and facing a must-win in Chicago, we're expecting a physical, hard-hitting affair when the teams drop the puck on Game Three at the United Center on Friday night (7 p.m., TV: Versus, Radio: WIND).