Blackhawks' Brent Seabrook steals Raffi Torres' wallet in Game 3
The reigning Stanley Cup Champion Chicago Blackhawks were hoping to avoid a first round sweeping by the Vancouver Canucks in the NHL Playoffs. Tuesday, Chicago scored enough goals to win Game 5 as well. Too bad that’s not the way it works. In a 7-2 thrashing of the Canucks, the Blackhawks guaranteed themselves one more game, and it will be in Chicago:
The line of (Dave) Bolland, Brian Bickell and Michael Frolik accounted for three goals and eight points and were the catalysts of a four-goal second period that put Chicago in control of a game before 21,757 at the United Center.
Bolland, returning to the lineup after missing 17 games with a concussion suffered March 9, contributed a goal and three assists. Brian Bickell who missed Game 3 with a wrist cut, scored the first goal 1 minute, 43 seconds into the game and linemate Michael Frolik added a goal and two assists.
After the teams traded first-period goals, defensemen Brian Campbell and Duncan Keith scored 17 seconds apart early in the second period to swing the momentum in Chicago’s favor, then Bolland and Frolik tacked on scores at the end of the session to give the Blackhawks a 5-1 lead.
…With the win, the Blackhawks avoided becoming the first defending champion to be swept in first round since 2003, when the Detroit Red Wings were ousted by the Anaheim Ducks.
Talk about an offensive explosion. 7-2 is the equivalent of an NFL game’s final score being 63-20. The Blackhawks had better hope their homefield can get them a couple of goals per game. Digging out of a 3-1 hole won’t be easy.
[PhotoSource: Vancouver Sun]
