DYNASTY! Blackhawks Win Third Cup In 6 Years

It was a night to remember for fans in the windy city.  After winning game 5 on the road the Blackhawks returned home to the "Madhouse on Madison."  With a 3-2 series lead, the Hawks had a chance to do something they haven't done since 1938.. win a Stanley Cup on home ice.

The Blackhawks found the net late in the second period with a goal by Duncan Keith to go 1-0 entering the third period.  The Lightning couldn't get anything in net.  They came close so many times but Corey Crawford made some spectacular saves over the course of the game.  With just over five minutes to go in the game, Patrick Kane scored to put the fans into a frenzy.  Final score was 2-0 and Keith won MVP.  Sure this was the third cup in six years for the Blackhawks but it was different this time since they cliched it at home.  The previous two times came on the road in Philadelphia and Boston.

In the 90's it was the Bulls who won over the city of Chicago.  During this decade, it was clearly the Blackhawks.  Three Stanley Cups in six years is an incredible accomplishment and Blackhawks fans everywhere have every reason to celebrate.

Blackhawks Even Series

After losing a tough game at home the other night, the Chicago Blackhawks looked to even the series in the best of seven Stanley Cup Final.

Neither team scored in the first period.  In the second, Jonathan Toews gave the Hawks a 1-0 lead at 6:40.  Patrick Sharp had a breakaway and a shot off the right post but they kept the pressure on.  Sharp deflected a shot on net and pushed a rebound to the left.  Toews was near the far post and put the puck in for his 10th goal of the playoffs and first of this series.

Alex Killorn tied it at 11:47.  Valtteri Flippula carried the puck behind the Chicago net and slipped a pass past two Blackhawks defenders.  Killorn was alone and put his shot in the net before Blackhawks net minder Corey Crawford noticed.

6:22 into the third period, Brandon Saad scored to give the Blackhawks the lead and eventual win.  It was assisted by Patrick Kane.  Kane tapped the puck to Saad near the bottom of the left circle, and he took it to the front of the net.  He lost it for a second but found the puck and backhanded it into the net for his eighth goal of the playoffs.

With the series tied at two, it now shifts back to Tampa at Amalie Arena this Saturday at 8.  Game 6 will return to Chicago on Monday.

Bolts Steal Game 3 In Chicago

After the Blackhawks and Lightning split the first two games of the Stanley Cup Finals in Tampa, the series shifted to Chicago.  The Blackhawks were looking to take control of the series in front of their home crowd.  A back and fourth battle ultimately ended with a victory by the visitors.

The Lightning took control of the game early and Ryan Callahan fired a slapshot to give the Bolts the 1-0 lead.  It was then when the Blackhawks finally woke up as they took control of the rest of the period outshooting the Lightning 19-7.  Brad Richards scored on a power play to tie the game at one.

Nobody scored in the middle frame so both teams entered the third with a 1-1 tie.  Brandon Saad put the Hawks ahead 2-1 four minutes into the third.  While the "Madhouse on Madison" erupted the building went quiet 13 seconds later.  Tampa Bay tied the game as Ondrej Palat put the puck in the net quickly to silence the building.

With 3:11 remaining in the game, Cedric Paquette scored off a pass from Victor Hedman to give the Lightning the 3-2 win and a 2-1 series lead.  Game four is Wednesday night.