Never count out the 2013 Chicago Blackhawks.
This was a team that found a way to record a point in the standings for the first 24 games, which was the first half of the shortened season. This was a team that battled back from a 3-1 series deficit against the Detroit Red Wings, and overcame a controversial call to win game 7 in overtime. It was only fitting for the season to end with the Blackhawks facing adversity once again, and persevering.
The Bruins dominated the Blackhawks in the first period. The Bruins had opportunities to put the game away. However, the Blackhawks took their punch, and were only down 1-0.
After game 5, no one knew whether if Bruins center Patrice Bergeron or Blackhawks center Jonathon Toews would play after they both suffered injuries. Both players suited up. Toews, the captain for the Blackhawks, had received a ton of punishment and criticism this postseason. Once again, Toews rose to the occasion, and tied the game at one in the second period. According to Scotty Bowman, former championship coach of the Red Wings and current Blackhawks consultant, Toews’ goal was crucial in this victory. Bowman told USA Today, “If Boston gets the next goal, I don’t know if we come back from 2-0.”
Milan Lucic scored the next goal in the third period, and the Boston crowd erupted. NBC Sports’ Joe Posnanski wrote that at that time everyone felt this series would go to a game 7. The home crowd felt that would be the game winner. There were still nearly eight minutes left. Anything can happen.
The crowd roared again as the Bruins killed a penalty on an inept Blackhawks power play. The mood would change in the final two minutes. With 1:16 left in regulation, Toews fed Bryan Bickell, and Bickell slipped it past Bruins’ goalie Tuukka Rask to tie the game. While Blackhawks fans were still cheering in Chicago, there was another goal scored 17 seconds later. This time it was Dave Bolland’s turn to play the hero. Johnny Oduya’s shot, which was redirected by Michael Frolik, bounced off the post, and Bolland pounced on the rebound.
The Boston crowd was stunned. The Bruins demoralized. At that moment, the Blackhawks knew they won the Cup.
Although the Blackhawks ended a 49-year drought in 2010, this time around may have been twice as nice. As Bleacher Report’s Steve Silverman said, this puts the “exclamation mark” to their season. The Hawks made history with the longest consecutive point streak to start a season, they owned the best record in the regular season, they eliminated arch-rival Detroit in dramatic fashion, and took down the defending champs (Los Angeles Kings), and won a final against a Bruins team, which featured 18 players from their championship team. The Blackhawks also had to come from behind twice in the Stanley Cup Finals. The two teams played five overtimes in the series.
This was a total team effort, unlike the NBA. Patrick Kane was the playoff MVP, as he became the fourth American ever to win the Conn Smythe Trophy. Patrick Sharp led the team in goals. Ten different players recorded game-winning goals. The fourth-line, which are the last guys on the depth chart, scored the goal that won the Stanley Cup.
Even though Kane won MVP, Bickell, Blackhawks goalie Corey Crawford, Michael Frolik, and Marcus Kruger should be considered co-MVP’s. Bickell came out of nowhere, and elevated his play. Bickell probably had extra incentive, since this was his contract year. Frolik and Kruger’s hustle and tenacious defense helped turn around one of the league’s worst penalty killing units in 2012. Many fans doubted Crawford’s ability after two consecutive first round exits. They were still bitter about the Hawks letting 2010 Stanley Cup hero Antti Niemi get away. Competition brings out the best in people, and Ray Emery brought the best out of Crawford. Emery posted a 17-1 record with three shutouts. Crawford responded with a 19-5-5 record, and three shutouts of his own. Both goalies had a 1.94 goals-against average, which was the best in the league. Crawford continued his dominance in net, and was finally able to get the “monkey off his back”.
