Hockey

You might want to let these next few words sink in for a second.

The Blackhawks are 1 win away from the Stanley Cup.

What seemed impossible just a few years ago can become a reality Wednesday night at the Wachovia Center in Philadelphia when the Hawks have the chance to win their first championship in 49 years with a fourth victory over the Flyers.

The Hawks need to start as well as they did on Sunday, although that might be asking for a lot. They led 3-0 after the first period and simply dominated the Flyers all over the ice. It was the best first period of the season, hands down, considering the enormity of the setting.

Dustin Byfuglien had a monster game with 2 goals, 2 assists and 9 hits, including a monster check on Chris Pronger.

I’m headed to Philly for the game Wednesday…can’t wait!

Three stars
1. Dustin Byfuglien: the winger broke out of his scoring slump with 2 goals, 2 assists + 9 hits
2. Kris Versteeg: was all over the ice and had 1 goal and 1 assists and finished with a +3 rating
3. Dave Bolland: the center had 1 goal and 1 assist and was strong defensively, finishing a +3

The quote: “There’s another level to the Stanley Cup Finals and I think we found that level tonight,” defenseman Brian Campbell after Sunday night’s victory.

Blackhawks video – History Will Be Made: Dustin Byfuglien What if the Blackhawks could be bullied? http://bit.ly/aaRxfm

You know it’s your year when a player who gets just four minutes of ice time scores the winning goal in a Stanley Cup Finals game.

Ben Eager’s goal late in the second period just 28 seconds after Marian Hossa scored held up as the game winner in the Hawks’ tense 2-1 win over the Flyers in Game 2 on Monday.

This was one tough win for the Hawks, who had to hang on for dear life in the third period as the Flyers took it to them. Antti Niemi was the difference with 14 saves in the final 20 minutes.

The Flyers are going to be even tougher to beat at home at Wachovia Center for Games 3 and 4 on Wednesday and Friday, but it’s an uphill battle to win the next four of five against the Hawks.

Fasten those chin straps for game 3!

Three stars
1. Antti Niemi: A 32-save performance, with 29 of them coming in the final two periods.
2. Brent Seabrook: Seven hits and 3 blocked shots in 23 minutes.
3. Marian Hossa: His first goal in nine games broke a scoreless tie in the second period.

By the numbers: Teams winning the first two games of the Stanley Cup Finals at home have gone on to win the Cup 31 out of 33 times.

The quote: “Flyers fans never change. They were rude and crude in the ’70s. They’re still rude and crude today.” Pittsburgh Post-Gazette columnist Ron Cook

Blackhawks video — It’s just teeth: After losing seven teeth during the last game of the Western Conference Final with San Jose, Duncan Keith and teammates discuss his current condition  http://bit.ly/dwpkEk

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The family business is hockey, but Bob’s business is mortgages. And he wants you as a client. Reach Bob via email at bbowman@perlmortgage.com or call 847.513.6970.

Game 1 against the Sharks probably can’t be described as too patient of a game considering the teams combined for 85 shots—-but the Hawks pulled out another victory. Antii Niemi was unbelievable in the nets—proving he can come up big in the pressure games. He stopped a career high 44 saves including several that were highlight reel.

4 Factors for tonight’s game at the Shark Tank:

1. Sharks Big Three: Joe Thornton, Patrick Marleau and Dany Heatley were a combined minus-6 with eight shots and zero even-strength points in Game 1. Suffice it to say, that’s not going to get it done. They played against all four of the Blackhawks lines and still didn’t produce. Marleau did assist on a power play goal—but at even strength these guys will have to step up.

2. Big Buff: If Dustin Byfuglien is going to score goals on slap shots from about 30 feet away from the net, coaches around the NHL are going to come up empty when they try to draw up game plans against him. He has 5 goals in the last five games. Let’s see if he can keep the streak alive.

3. Several minor concerns add up: For the most part, Sharks coach Todd McLellan was happy with the way his team played in Game 1. However, he didn’t particularly like the Sharks’ puck possession game or the traffic they got in front of Antti Niemi. McLellan wants his team to keep up the shots (45 is a great amount), but get more pressure at the net. To do that, they have to control the puck.

4. Niemi mania: As the stage gets bigger it just seems as though Niemi gets better. He was at his best on Sunday with the career high 44 saves, including that amazing glove stop on Ryane Clowe. If Niemi continues to play like this the Hawks will be tough to beat.

‘Civic Pride’ video to get you pumped up for tonight: http://bit.ly/9tvyz0

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The family business is hockey, but Bob’s business is mortgages. And he wants you as a client. Reach Bob via email at bbowman@perlmortgage.com or call 847.513.6970.

Hawks lead series 3 to 2. Game tonight @ 8:30c

The Blackhawks are packed for the Western Conference finals — even though there is one fairly significant, extended layover to navigate first: tonight’s game in Vancouver.

Should the Hawks win tonight, they’ll proceed directly to San Jose where the conference finals will begin against the Sharks.

On Sunday, the Hawks abandoned the simple game they used in Game 3 and Game 4 wins in Vancouver and tried to make plays that weren’t there.  On the road you tend to play a smarter and simpler game, and hopefully that’s what the Hawks do tonight. Look for Dustin Byfuglien to reprise his role as a goal-scoring pest. When he parks himself in front of Luongo and creates havoc—he is at his best.

Home ice advantage? So far this spring, home teams are 33-35. So what happened to home ice?

Scotty’s take: ‘Home ice doesn’t seem to be the same as when I first started. Before, more times than not, you’d hold serve. You’d win your first two and you go on the road, and they probably win their two. There weren’t as many breaks. The home team can still have an edge, but I don’t think it’s quite the same edge.’

Scotty’s first Cup playoffs were in 1968 and that year home teams won 28 of 40 games (70%). The best percentage since 1994 is the .598 (52-35) from last year.

Quick on the draw: The Canucks won 58 percent of the faceoffs on Sunday. The Canucks’ Ryan Johnson was 8-1 while the Hawks’ Dave Bolland was 2-11. We’ll need better percentages than that to win tonight’s game….

The Hawks played a textbook playoff game Sunday night at the United Center, riding strong team defense and the goaltending of Antti Niemi to a 2-0 win over the Predators to even their Western Conference quarterfinal series at 1-1 heading to Nashville.

Niemi’s shutout was the first by a Hawks goalie since Ed Belfour in 1996 and the first-ever by a Hawks rookie! His best save of the night came early in the second period, a terrific pad stop out of nowhere to rob Dustin Boyd on a rebound.

Three stars:
1. Antti Niemi: Brushed aside the bad goal in Game 1 with a 23-save shutout.
2. Patrick Kane: A goal and assist for the star winger.
3. Dave Bolland: Second-period power-play goal was critical.

By the numbers
Hawks outhit Nashville 32-28 and won 52 percent of the faceoffs.

The mullet: The new playoff beard
Forget the playoff beard….Patrick Kane is trying to start a new traditional, the Playoff Mullet! Business in the Front & Party in the Back viewable here, http://bit.ly/aEMTT8