Blackhawks Force Red Wings Into Game 7
By Tony Fischer
May 27, 2013; Detroit, MI, USA; Chicago Blackhawks goalie Corey Crawford (50) receives congratulations from Chicago Blackhawks center Patrick Sharp (10) after game six of the second round of the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Detroit Red Wings at Joe Louis Arena. Chicago won 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Concentration issues in the 3rd period cost the Detroit Red Wings again. After taking a 2-1 lead into the 3rd period the defense gaffed again leaving Michal Handzus and Bryan Bickell wide open in front of the net. Jimmy Howard has been great this series but no goalie can be successful on blocking wide open shots like that.
Those wide open goals gave the Hawks a 3-2 lead. The Blackhawks weren’t done yet when Micheal Frolik added a goal from a penalty shot. That turned out to be the game winner as the Red Wings dropped Game 6 to the visitors from Chicago 4-3.
Now the series goes back to Chicago for a game 7. Something the Red Wings didn’t want any part of it…or did they. Post game interview after post game interview the Red Wings said that a game 7 sounds like fun. Fun?
Nicolas Kronwall said in his post game interview.
"Another game 7. It doesn’t get any better than that"
Sure that’s true when you are the team forcing a game 7 on your home ice. But for the Red Wings it is a disaster.
Now all the pressure shifts back to the Red Wings who seem to thrive under the pressure. In fact it seems they are taking a page out of the 2004 Detroit Pistons Championship run when Rip Hamilton said:
"If it ain’t rough it ain’t right"
I’ll take a little less rough and a little more right please.
Here are my three stars for Game 6
- Marian Hossa – He had 1 goal and 1 assist and finally made his presence felt in the series.
- Johnatahn Toews – Only one point tonight but he was all over the place and willing his team to win. Kind of like another #19 we know.
- Jimmy Howard – I know there is a little homer in this pick but without those wide open shots he would have only given up one goal.
(I refuse to give Bryan Bickell a star just out of spite)
The Red Wings will face the Chicago Blackhawks in Game 7 of the Western Conference Semi-Finals on Wednesday at the United Center. You can catch the game on the NBC Sports Network.