Chicago Trib Article

[creedie 2]

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/chi-2...,1309927.column

I can't believe this article -

Breaking away

Hard to see how Hawks win this series after crippling loss in OT

Rick Morrissey | In the wake of the news

May 20, 2009

DETROIT -- Is it over? It feels over. You lose the opening two games to the methodical, crazily talented Red Wings and your survival rate is right up there with rattlesnake handlers who smoke three packs a day.

It's going to take a monumental turnaround and probably a debilitating gastrointestinal problem striking a few of the Detroit players for the Blackhawks to come back. And it probably would help if the Hawks stopped turning over the puck.

Defenseman Brian Campbell's turnover in overtime Tuesday night was the latest glaring mistake to do in the Hawks, who lost 3-2.

It led to Detroit's winning goal, which was a thing of beauty, if such a thing can be said of a sequence that likely crushed the Hawks' hopes of getting to the Stanley Cup finals.

Jiri Hudler picked up the loose puck, slid it to Valtteri Filppula, who sent it to Mikael Samuelsson, who beat Hawks goalie Nikolai Khabibulin. It sounds like a United Nations roll call, but it was the difference between a tied series and a 2-0 lead in the Western Conference finals.

"There's a big difference between 1-1 and 2-0," Hawks forward Patrick Sharp had said before the game.

Yes there is, and it's very difficult to see how his team comes back to win this series against the defending Stanley Cup champions.

Tuesday was another example of why the Red Wings are the Red Wings and the Hawks are something short of that. Detroit doesn't make many mistakes. Detroit's players always seem to know where each other is on the ice, at all times, in every situation. The Blackhawks have a long way to go to get to that level. There's no shame in that. So does the rest of the NHL.

The series shifts to Chicago for two games, and the Hawks are hoping home ice will give them something the Joe Louis Arena ice couldn't.

Coach Joel Quenneville talked about hoping to "recapture some confidence and enthusiasm." There was very little of that after Tuesday's loss.

"A brutal loss," Quenneville said tiredly.

Tuesday night gave us perhaps the best example yet of why Jonathan Toews is the Hawks' captain. Great players rise to the occasion when their team needs them the most. He had both of the Hawks goals.

His second goal came on a deflection of Kris Versteeg's shot with 7:40 left in the game. It tied the game 2-2, and the Hawks had every reason to believe they had a shot.

Speaking of shots, the Hawks had 19 of them in the first period, which could be looked upon two different ways, depending on your Blackhawk Confidence Level. The optimist said, Boy! Nineteen shots, what an outburst! The pessimist said, Nineteen shots and all they got was one goal?

But that one goal was pretty. Toews, set up to the side of the Red Wings' net, deflected the puck off the skate of defenseman Jonathan Ericsson and past unsuspecting goalie Chris Osgood.

Toews is skilled, yes, but he has a knack of making things happen when his team needs something the most. Whoever came up with the cliché "You can't teach that" had Toews in mind.

His first goal gave the Hawks a 1-0 lead for the second game in a row. But just like Game 1, the Red Wings, undaunted, came back to tie it in the first period, this time on Brian Rafalski's power-play goal. Whether Khabibulin was screened is open to debate. What isn't open to debate is the fact Detroit's Tomas Holmstrom was camped in front of him.

After a face-off in his own zone, Hawks defenseman Brent Seabrook tried to make a pass but instead bounced the puck off the Wings' Dan Cleary, whose momentum took him in the direction of the Hawks' goal.

He gained control of the puck, then beat Khabibulin with a wrist shot to make it 2-1 at 14:06 of the second period.

Seabrook struggled controlling the puck in Game 1, as well, leading to a Detroit goal in that 5-2 loss.

After those 19 shots in the first, the Hawks had six in the second. Under siege or with time on his hands, Osgood has been very good so far in this series. Better than Khabibulin.

The Blackhawks have responded well to tough times in the past. And they responded well Tuesday night after Sunday's debacle. Just not enough.

"This is a team that's going to be very difficult to put away," Detroit coach Mike Babcock said.

During a stoppage in play with less than three minutes left in regulation, they played clips from the movie "Rudy," the ultimate underdog story, on the scoreboard. Um, aren't the Hawks the underdog in this series?

There wasn't any question by the end of the night.

Was this person watching the same game as the rest of us? It was close - both teams made mistakes, by no means a blow out.

[Ms_Hockey 0]

I definitely wasn't expecting Chicago writers to start saying it's over.

Wow. I'm surprised.

[xtrememachine1 795]

"Its over! Turn out the lights. Lets get the bulldozers in here and turn this place into a parking lot!"

Major League II

[chrisdetroit 189]

I definitely wasn't expecting Chicago writers to start saying it's over.

Wow. I'm surprised.

For the Hawks to win the series, they have to beat us 4 out of the next 5 games. The historical probabilty of tyhe Wings winning the series having the home ice in the conference final and a 2-0 lead is 89.3%.

At this point, we need to minimize the number of games and get some rest for the finals.

[chuklz 15]

We arent even playing that well... lol. Imagine if we turned it on.

[pavyaz19 1]

I hate to say it, but this is exactly what I expected.

The Hawks just aren't ready yet. The Ducks were. I thought the Sharks and Bruins were. If the Wings don't sail to the Cup now, I'd be extremely shocked. The Ducks, IMHO, were the only team that could beat us and they had to do it by wearing us down. Specifically, by injuring us. It didn't happen. Worn down, but no injuries.

I agreed with Bucci, whoever won the second round between the Ducks / Wings would win the Cup. I definitely think the Ducks would have taken the Cup if they could have taken us down.

Anything can happen, I'm aware of that. But there is no team like Detroit. it's our Cup to lose.

[Frozen-Man 144]

For the Hawks to win the series, they have to beat us 4 out of the next 5 games. The historical probabilty of tyhe Wings winning the series having the home ice in the conference final and a 2-0 lead is 89.3%.

At this point, we need to minimize the number of games and get some rest for the finals.

And make sure the Wings aren't part of the 10.7%

[VM1138 1,921]

I definitely wasn't expecting Chicago writers to start saying it's over.

Wow. I'm surprised.

Fairweather fans.

[Guest Shoreline]

They aren't necessarily saying it's over. They're bummed, but they're being realistic that Chicago needs to turn the s*** around, and a new venue is the perfect place to start, which is why the Wings will need to be on top of s*** for Game 3 and not become complacent.

[Firehawk 305]

I'd like to see the same writer from Chicago that begged fans to stop begging for Detroit to come out with an article saying, I TRIED TO TELL YOU SO!

If anyone finds something like that, do post!

[Theophany 110]

I'd like to see the same writer from Chicago that begged fans to stop begging for Detroit to come out with an article saying, I TRIED TO TELL YOU SO!

If anyone finds something like that, do post!

Heh, I said the same to all my friends that are Hawks fans after they said, "bring on the Wings!"

One texted me last night and was like, "dude, you were right. "

[betterREDthandead 58]

Was this person watching the same game as the rest of us? It was close - both teams made mistakes, by no means a blow out.

The point is, the Blackhawks played about as good a game as they can expect to play. Their goalie was very good, they peppered Osgood with shots, they generally looked like the fresher team. And they lost. It proves the Wings don't even need their 'A' game. B+ game will do fine. If they can't create enough chances to win on their own, they can wait for the Blackhawks to make mistakes.

Obviously there's still more than enough hockey to be played, but if you were a Blackhawks fan, wouldn't this be getting into your head right about now?

[Electrophile 3,554]

It ain't over, I don't care what this particular writer said. As I said in the GDT: "Do not underestimate your enemy. For when you do, that is when he will strike."

Nobody here should start getting too big for their britches.

[Theophany 110]

Obviously there's still more than enough hockey to be played, but if you were a Blackhawks fan, wouldn't this be getting into your head right about now?

Hell, it has to be getting into the heads of the Blackhawks, too. I'm sure they watched the Anaheim/Wings series and seen what we're capable of when we're really rolling and not just bringing our 'B game'. That's gotta be intimidating, when they were playing almost at the top of their game (that we've seen) and it just wasn't enough.

[David 2]

After those 19 shots in the first, the Hawks had six in the second. Under siege or with time on his hands, Osgood has been very good so far in this series. Better than Khabibulin.

Indeed. The Wings won't lose many games when giving up 2 goals per.

[mjlegend 155]

It ain't over, I don't care what this particular writer said. As I said in the GDT: "Do not underestimate your enemy. For when you do, that is when he will strike."

Nobody here should start getting too big for their britches.

Too late!

Chicago, Schmicago. They're already in the rear-view mirror. Bring on the baby-faced little boy Sid so we can make him and Geno cry again!

[Vladifan 680]

The point is, the Blackhawks played about as good a game as they can expect to play. Their goalie was very good, they peppered Osgood with shots, they generally looked like the fresher team. And they lost. It proves the Wings don't even need their 'A' game. B+ game will do fine. If they can't create enough chances to win on their own, they can wait for the Blackhawks to make mistakes.

Obviously there's still more than enough hockey to be played, but if you were a Blackhawks fan, wouldn't this be getting into your head right about now?

I think a lot depends on how the Hawks react to their rabid crowds. If all that noise and fanfare hypes them, then it could be a very contested two games. If they're intimidated by it or feel too much pressure, then we have a much better chance of winning one or both games.

[Vladifan 680]

Too late!

Chicago, Schmicago. They're already in the rear-view mirror. Bring on the baby-faced little boy Sid so we can make him and Geno cry again!

All I can add to this is it's a lucky thing for us you don't play for the Detroit Red Wings. They go into the next game with that kind of attitude, they would get their butts handed to 'em. I still say if Chicago builds confidence and focuses more, especially at home, this will be a series.

[RedWingsRox 614]

Experience always > youth.

Remember last year Cup Finals?

[Inultus 12]

I agree nobody should be cocky, however my roommate and I have been saying for weeks that the winner of Anaheim and Detroit would take the Cup. Of course things could happen and we could lose, but Detroit is definitely the best team left.

Hell, I even thought so at the beginning of the season which is why I put $100 down on them to repeat. I wasn't cocky about it, but I just saw the Wings as still being the best team in the league. I haven't changed my mind on that.

The Ducks scared me a lot, but the Wings showed their championship experience in game 7.

[mjlegend 155]

All I can add to this is it's a lucky thing for us you don't play for the Detroit Red Wings. They go into the next game with that kind of attitude, they would get their butts handed to 'em. I still say if Chicago builds confidence and focuses more, especially at home, this will be a series.

I agree. I thank baby Jesus every day I don't play for the Red Wings. They're much better at playing hockey than I am.

That's great advice you're dispensing out to the Hawks, but I would have a hard time believing Chicago has any confidence at all right now. Unless they play the best game of the season Friday, the series is more or less over.

[Vladifan 680]

I agree. I thank baby Jesus every day I don't play for the Red Wings. They're much better at playing hockey than I am.

That's great advice you're dispensing out to the Hawks, but I would have a hard time believing Chicago has any confidence at all right now. Unless they play the best game of the season Friday, the series is more or less over.

"Dispensing advice"? Ummm, I think not. I was suggesting that there's lots of rear view mirrors out there and so far, I don't see them in mine. And I just had my car washed, too.

As for thanking baby Jesus, well, I'm thinkin' you just can't go wrong there on all sorts of counts. Keep up the good work. And I'll thank him again too that you don't play for my team.

...Like hockey's in His rear view mirror... :rotflmao:

[Rocket Queen 30 1]

It ain't over til it's over and I'm not going to start counting my penguins till the Wings bag win number 12... While it's true that it's easier to win 2 games than 4, I seriously doubt that the Hawks are done giving us hell. Maybe they are and that would be sad because these last two games have been nothing less than riveting! Never the less the sooner the Wings win this series, the better.

[cusimano_brothers 1,655]

Rick Morrissey should have his press credentials revoked by the Blackhawks.

[SouthernWingsFan 854]

"Its over! Turn out the lights. Lets get the bulldozers in here and turn this place into a parking lot!"

Major League II

Fan rants in a movie.

Two sides here to me.

(1) The Red Wings haven't bought a complete effort yet this series, and have still won both games. If this keeps up, it is all but over.

OR

(2) The Blackhawks bought as good an effort last game and Osgood stole a game for the Wings. Eventually that trend might change if the Blackhawks still bring it and the Wings don't bring their best the whole game, because luck/momentum could change, whatever.

I'm leaning more towards #2 with the Blackhawks still going to bring it, but the Wings obviously won't just dilly around. While the Blackhawks have plenty of work to get back in this series, it is far from over. It can happen. Flames in 2007 and Nashville last year and in 2004 came back to tie series up 2-2. Kings did it in 2001 and Avs did it in 1999 to win 4 straight in a series. I know those are entirely different teams/scenarios, but just saying it can happen even though it might not happen this time.

Cautiously optimistic is the attitude I'm taking. If the Wings can take a 3-0 series lead, I'll obviously feel a lot more at ease.