With a commanding 3-1 series lead over the Vancouver Crybaby’s… err Canucks, the Blackhawks are back at the United Center with a chance to close out their Western Conference Semi-finals series. With the Hawks in such a prime position, I decided to do a running diary for Game 5. Having been to Game 5 of the Nashville Predators series, it’s hard to describe all that goes on during a Hawks game at the UC. If you haven’t been to a Hawks playoff game, it should be on your agenda. That Game 5 vs the Preds was a top 5 sporting event for me. I was on a high for 5 hours after Patrick Kane tied the game at 4 with 13 seconds left, and Marion Hossa clinched the win in overtime. The series was, essentially, over at that point, and that’s where we currently are in this series. After taking both games in Vancouver, the Hawks are in the heads of the Canucks more than Billy Hoyle was in the head of Sidney Dean during their shooting contest back on the Venice Beach courts. Is this the night the Hawks send the Canucks packing for the 2nd year in a row? Let’s get to the action….
FYI—There is a 97% chance I’ll be a Johnny “Red” Kerr- like homer during this game. There’s also a 97% chance Roberto Luongo will cry if the Hawks win this game.
Pre-game: I love the on-site pre-game set on the concourse at the UC. Not for the analysis of Chris Boden and Steve Konroyd (that definitely is not the case), but for the meatball Hawks fans who are standing in the background trying to get on TV. I have no idea why people do this. Of all the things to do at the UC before a Hawks playoff game, that would rank 386th on my list. Kids are one thing, but the douche with his personalized Hawks jersey needs to get to his damn seat. Unfortunately, there are more than one of these at most games. Tonight there is only one. Thankfully.
The Anthem: My favorite part of the game. Jim Cornelison brings it every time. I shook his hand on the concourse at Game 5 vs Nashville. Good dude. Not surprisingly, the UC is rocking during the star spangled banner. I can hardly type I’m so pumped up right now. It’s even money in Vegas right now that Luongo has crapped his pants during this anthem.You know it’s going bad for the Canucks when Luongo is called out by his coach. If he’s not good tonight, this series is over. No pressure Robby….
1st Period
19:01: Goal Canucks. Really, Hawks? After a dumb ice by Chris Versteeg, the Canucks win the draw and Christian Ehrhoff scores from the point. The Sedin sisters assist on the goal. Not a good start. I’m getting the feeling of a Cubs playoff game. 1-0 Canucks.
14:48: The Canucks continue to play stupid hockey. A tripping call on Alex Burrows gives the Hawks a power play. Here’s the first potential momentum swing for the Hawks. The Hawks are 6-14 on the power play in the last two games.
Coming back from commercial, Eddie Olczyk shows highlights from 1994 when Tony Amonte and Gary Suter scored hat ticks in consecutive playoff games against the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Hawks may need someone to step up and score 3 tonight and make it 3 games in a row. The highlights of the Old Stadium still make me smile. I miss the old barn.
9:24: Marion Hossa to the box for hooking. I hate that the NHL is becoming the NBA lite. Too many penalties and make- up penalties. It’s like Joey Crawford and Dick Bavetta are officiating this game.
5:36: 2-0 Canucks after a goal by Kevin Bieksa on a 2 on 1. This really is like a Cubs playoff game. Do the Hawks not know they can close this team out tonight? Do they really want to go back to Vancouver?
48.5: Another Canucks penalty gives the Hawks another opportunity to get on the board. Not happening. The Hawks aren’t getting to Luongo and he isn’t giving up rebounds like he has the past 3 games.
End of the 1st Period. 2-0 Canucks. This isn’t a great start by the locals. I may need to drink a beer or 3 to chill out. The Cub fan in me is already thinking about the ’03 NLCS and how they blew a 3-1 series lead……….Beer time!
Sarah Kustok interviews Patrick Kane’s mother Donna for Mother’s Day. Not going to lie, there aren’t many things more uncomfortable than a Sarah Kustok in-game interview. It’s pretty bad. She isn’t half bad to look at, but her interview skills are a cross between nails on a chalkboard and a Chip Carey called baseball game. Kustok is reason 1, 827 why sideline reporters are completely useless. She adds zero to the game–no poignant questions, no insight, the personality of drywall, and questions that someone watching sports for the first time would ask. It would be better if she asked the players between periods where they drank the night before or what they were doing after the game. Make it somewhat interesting ya know? The standard questions put me to sleep. The players won’t tell you anything, so why not ask questions that will captivate the audience? Think about it Sarah. Dear, whoever came up with the sideline reporter idea………I loathe and despise you.
Side Note: Another highlight of being at Game 5 vs Nashville was the UC crowd going ape sh*t for Hossa after the game and not allowing Kustok to do the uncomfortable interview. I was never more proud of a Hawks crowd.
2nd Period
11:59: I realize, yet again, that the Hawks, Adam Burish, is a complete turd. The only thing I enjoy about him wearing a Blackhawks sweater is that he’s a good interview. He’s one of my least favorite Hawks. I think it has something to do with the fact he is a borderline NHL player. I’m beyond annoyed. Still 2-0 Canucks.
Question…..When was the last time Burish made an imporant play in a playoff game? Anyone? Anyone?……Bueller?
10:03: I contemplate leaving to go get some food. If it wasn’t for Pat Foley and Eddie O, I’d be half-way to Portillo’s by now.
A commercial for White Sox vs Twins is shown on Comcast. No, I won’t be watching…..I’m good. As much as I like Steve Stone, the thought of listening to Hawk Harrelson more than 14 times this year is making me sick to my stomach. How do Sox fans like that guy? No, seriously? Sox fans defend him like he’s their grandfather. Please, wake up Sox fans. He’s an annoying pain in the ass who has entered Red Kerr territory (Old homer who is becoming more delusional by the game).
Eddie O does a spot for Cubs Bud Light bleacher tickets. Once again…..No thanks, I’m good. There isn’t a more overrated baseball experience than sitting in the bleachers at a Cubs game. I’d rather watch the Oxygen channel for 6 straight hours. Needless to say, the fact I’m talking about commercials and ads for Cubs games goes to show you how little is going on in this game. Still 2-0 Canucks.
Shane O’Brien is cut like Ric Flair when Dustin Byfuglien’s stick catches him in the face. The Hawks got away with one here. Should have been a penalty……
Remember when I talked about the NHL becoming NBA like?……
7:40: The refs, who are now on the lookout for anything that resembles a penalty, call Big Buff for a slash. This isn’t going the way I envisioned.
7:00: Power play goal for the Canucks. Bieksa, again, from the point to give the Canucks a 3-0 lead. This is worse than having to watch Sex and The City or any romantic comedy your significant other “happened” to stumble across on TBS or On Demand.
End Of 2nd Period: The UC hasn’t been this quiet since the 2001 Bulls season. I’m also wondering if I mushed the Hawks by planning this ahead of time. You bet your ass I think about that stuff. 3-0 Canucks.
3rd Period
Jonathan Toews' goal momentarily woke up a dead United Center crowd. It was short lived.
7:09: Hey, someone woke up the Hawks!! The captain, Jonathan Toews, with the goal to bring the Hawks within 2. Toews with a point in his 8th straight game. The crowd is back into it………
Until Marion Hossa draws a penalty on the following face-off. What did I tell you about Gary Bettman and the new NHL? Bettman came from the NBA……Just saying.
44.6: Empty net goal for Alex Burrows makes it 4-1 Canucks and seals the deal.
This is such a Chicago sports team performance. You have a team on the ropes, mentally beaten coming into the game, all the incentive to close it out (Sharks took care of business vs the Red Wings in Game 5 Saturday), and they piss away a prime opportunity. This reminded me of Game 5 of the ’93 NBA Finals. The Bulls were up 3-1 with a chance to close out the Suns at home. Only, the Bulls didn’t show up and were forced to go back on the road. Can the Hawks recover and win Game 6? Sure. It’s just disappointing to see them come with such a lackluster performance. The Canucks stayed away from the dumb play from Games 3 & 4, and Roberto Luongo played like a big time goalie. This game showed that no matter what the series lead, nothing in Chicago sports is a given. Back to Vancouver the Hawks go, not for a vacation, but for unfinished business. It’s never easy in this town…..NEVER.
A dejected Blackhawks bench tells the story of this snooze fest. The Hawks channeled their inner Cub and are now forced to go back to Vancouver for Game 6.
