Young Blackhawks Advance to Second Round

For the first time in over a decade, one of the NHL’s most storied franchises was able to advance into the Western Conference semifinals, as Chicago finished off the Calgary Flames in Game 6 of their first round matchup. Chicago had home ice advantage throughout the series, but they won their first playoff series in 13 years on unfriendly ice, as they silenced a capacity crowd at the Saddledome in Calgary.

The Blackhawks dominated a Calgary team that was short on manpower and healthy bodies in Game 6, as they overpowered the Flames 4-1. Patrick Kane got the Hawks started only two minutes into the game, burying a rebound past the sprawling Miikka Kiprussoff on Chicago’s first powerplay of the game. Adam Burish scored again off a one timer on a odd-man rush later in the period. Calgary never really got going in Game 6, much like in Game 5, where they were also held to a single goal.

After Brian Campbell scored his first goal in nearly 50 games on a powerplay late in the second, the Blackhawks took a comfortable 3 goal lead into the 3rd period. Less than a minute into the period, the Flames got a little bit of life when Todd Bertuzzi gave the Flames their only goal of the game, but Nikolai Khabibulincarried the Hawks the rest of the way, making a total of 43 saves to douse any hopes that the Flames might have had.

In the end, this series demonstrated a decided lack of offensive firepower on the part of the Flames, who scored only 16 goals all series, including 6 in a thrilling Game 4 victory. Chicago netted 30 goals total, including 9 on the powerplay, and got plenty of production from all parts of their bench. The Blackhawks had 6 players with 6 or more points, led by winger Kris Versteeg, who had 2 goals and 5 assists in the series. Compared to Calgary, who was led by Olli Jokinen’s 5 points, of which 2 goals came in Game 4, Chicago’s team balanced attack was what gave them such a significant advantage over the Flames. Calgary lost in the first round for the fourth straight season. Chicago will play Vancouver in the Western Conference semifinals.