With the finality best personified by an NHL playoff overtime period, the Chicago Blackhawks completed a stunning resurrection in their Western Conference playoff series with Vancouver.
Ben Smith's put-back over a sprawling Roberto Luongo capped the Blackhawks improbable comeback from a 3-0 series deficit. It took over 75 minutes, but Chicago's 4-3 outlasting of the Canucks sends a simple message to the President's Trophy winners.
Game 7. Your place. We'll be there.
Game 6 was an exercise in perseverance for the 'Hawks, who trailed three times in the contest only to tie the score, the last time on a historic penalty shot by Michael Frolik in front of an electrified United Center crowd.
It would have been easy to shrink back after Vancouver took the lead less than a minute into the third period. Kevin Bieksa's goal may well have been the dagger in the heart of the Chicago resurgence.
The 'Hawks had been in this situation many times over the course of the season, taking a game into the third period only to see it slip away.
Not on this night.
Instead, the Blackhawks evened it up with Frolik's tally and then hung on like grim death. Their grit was on full display for all to see Sunday night.
Unlike the first two Chicago triumphs in this series, there was no meaningless third period victory lap. No basking in the satisfaction of extending the series for the Chicago fans. Just gut-wrenching, edge-of-your-seat, back and forth hockey between two heated rivals—just what playoff hockey is all about.
Chicago's Corey Crawford turned away 21 Vancouver shots in the last 35 minutes of play. Seven minutes into overtime, Nick Leddy and Ryan Johnson turned away a huge two-on-one rush by Maxim Lapierre and Chris Higgins.
As the clock winded down to under five minutes, Marian Hossa muscled the puck around the Canucks' zone and set up Niklas Hjalmarsson just inside the blue line. Hjalmarsson got the puck to the net, with Smith adding a slight redirect. Luongo left the rebound out in front of the net, where Smith backhanded it over the prone goalie.
The din of the United Center is still roaring in the ears of the Blackhawks. For the Canucks, the sounds of tortured wails can be heard across a continent.
The turnaround is complete. The 'Hawks have made it all the way back in a series most wrote them out of a mere week ago. Last Sunday, Vancouver was eyeing a vindicating series sweep.
Seven days later, the Canucks crawl back West, tail firmly planted between their legs.
It all comes down to a single game in Rogers Arena. The Blackhawks and Canucks are coming back to Vancouver for Game 7 Tuesday night. Chicago brings with them the optimism that comes with squaring the series.
Vancouver is bringing along the doubt brought on by losing their choke hold on the series.
Plus, three years of playoff demons in the carry-on compartment.
More thoughts from Game 6
In addition to Smith, the line of Dave Bolland, Bryan Bickell and Frolik were the heroes of the evening for Chicago. They played tough, two-way hockey all night and accounted for all of Chicago's regulation goals.
Bickell's first period goal was set up by a crushing check by Bolland. Bickell, in turn, registered a big hit on Bieksa in the overtime period that met with approval from the home crowd.
Frolik became the first player in Blackhawks' history to convert on a playoff penalty shot. He continued to show defensive prowess that was not the winger's calling card in Florida. This line has looked great since Bolland has returned. It has made the difference in negating Vancouver's depth at forward.
Crawford stopped 32 of 35 shots. He faced off not with Luongo to start the game, but with Cory Schneider, inserted into the starting lineup at the last minute by Canucks' coach Alain Vigneault.
Schneider was injured badly trying to stop Frolik's penalty shot, and Luongo was able to be greeted by the United Center Welcoming Committee (21,000 strong) as he went out to the crease early in the third period.
In a close, physical game, John Scott played 59 seconds. I know this only because I didn't believe the box score on the 'Hawks website, which did not list his name or minute skated.
He was versatile, appearing at wing and on defense in his three shifts. After knocking over Alex Burrows after the whistle late in the first period, he remained on the bench for the duration.
On to Vancouver for Game 7 and the final episode in this dramatic series.
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