Bring On L.A.: Blackhawks Beat Detroit In OT Thriller

By Chuck Sudo in News on May 30, 2013 2:35PM

"That's a heck of a way to win a series," was what Jonathan Toews said after the Blackhawks' 2-1 overtime win over Detroit in Game 7 of their Stanley Cup Western Conference Playoff series Wednesday night at the United Center. The overtime finish was a fitting coda for this series between two Original Six teams ending a storied chapter in their rivalry; Detroit is moving to the Eastern Conference in the NHL's realignment next season. Chicago recovered from a 3-1 deficit to win a series for the first time in the club's history and became the 25th team in the NHL to accomplish the feat.

As with most of the games in this series, the play was tense and well-matched between the two teams. the Red Wings continued their strategy of challenging the Hawks in the neutral zone to disrupt Chicago's puck possession game, but the Hawks were the more aggressive team as the two skated to a scoreless first period tie. But the Blackhawks found the net behind Detroit goalie Jimmy Howard 1:08 into the second period courtesy of Patrick Sharp, who handled a beautiful cross pass from Marian Hossa after a poorly timed Detroit line change.

The game remained tight before Red Wings captain Henrik Zetterberg received a pass from Gustav Nyquist and had a wide open look at the net 26 seconds into the final period. Corey Crawford, playing Nyquist, didn't have a chance. The Hawks looked to have won it in regulation on a Niklas Hjalmarssson goal with 1:49 left. But referee Stephen Walkom waved off the goal after calling matching roughing penalties on Detroit's Kyle Quincey and the Hawks' Brandon Saad. Public consensus was that it was a terrible call, although Blackhawks and NBC Sports hockey analyst Ed Olczyk tried to be diplomatic about it on WSCR-AM this morning. Walkom, by the way, was the referee who swallowed his whistle when Phoenix's Raffi Torres concussed Hossa in last year's playoffs. “I went blank,” Hjalmarsson said after the goal was waved off. “I got so mad … I almost threw my stick up there in the crowd.”

The game looked to go on into the wee small hours before Dave Bolland fished the puck out of a scrum at the boards and passed it to Brent Seabrook, who put it past Howard with a snap shot and sealed the win.

Howard and Crawford were the two best players on the ice in the series. Howard stopped 33 shots to Crawford's 26 and each gave their respective teams a lift throughout the game. Crawford has been Chicago's best player throughout the postseason and, even when he allows a cheap goal, has shut up the doubters as to whether he can lead a team to victory, especially as the Hawks continue to struggle on the power play.

Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville said the team had no doubts they could win the series after falling into that 3-1 hole.

"You go back to after Game 4. Their approach and the belief in the room, and each other was there," Quenneville said. "It was a strong season and we had to find a way. I think winning here in Game 5 got us excited again and got the momentum back. The last two games were tightly fought and amazing games. Finding a way to win that big third period the other night and finding a way to win tonight as well.

"We're excited about where we're at. Give Detroit credit. It was a tough series, a great series. We were on the ropes for a long time in that series, so we're very excited about where we're at today."

The Blackhawks now draw the defending champion Los Angeles Kings in the Western Conference Finals. Game 1 is 4 p.m. Saturday at the United Center.