Chicago Blackhawks on Verge of Elimination after losing Game 3 to Vancouver Canucks –NHL Play-offs Update
Chicago Blackhawks can attempt to become the fourth team in National Hockey League (NHL) history to comeback after a 3-0 deficit in the play-offs, but that seems highly unlikely. Following a 3-2 loss against the top place Vancouver Canucks on Sunday at the
United Centre in Chicago, Illinois, game four could be the defending Stanley Cup Champions last game.
Vancouver gave almost 20 minutes in penalty time to the homecoming Blackhawks, but except for one goal which tied up the game, they were not able to capitalise on any of them.
The overcrowded stadium was full of excitement and roars in favour of the Hawks who until the final period looked to be in control.
Canucks was not in its best form but still managed the win.
"I had my chances tonight. I should have buried a couple", Chicago’s right wing, Patrick Kane, said. "Especially on the 5-on-3 -- I missed a shot like that. It's probably why the game is lost".
Canucks goalie Roberto Luongo was the only noticeable reason that they continued their three-game winning streak. Without him making those important saves when Vancouver was handicapped by two men, they would have surely lost.
Luongo stopped 30 shots on 32 attempts while the young Corey Crawford managed to deflect 23 of 26 shots.
Hawks defencemen Duncan Keith gave his team an early lead that went on until the second period.
He took advantage of Vancouver’s first power play of the game when Christian Ehrhoff was booked for tripping Marcus Kruger. Standing on top of the right circle, Keith was fed the puck while Luongo was blinded by a teammate, he shot the puck which went though
the right post.
Blackhawks first power play of the match opened up opportunities for Vancouver.
Christian Ehrhoff tied up the match halfway through the second while Daniel Sedin took the lead 54 seconds later, earning his third postseason goal in three games.
Raffi Torres barely escaped from another NHL screening when he knocked down Hawks Brent Seabrook hard on the ice after Sedins goal.
Just coming out fresh from a four-game suspension, he seems to be more aggressive than ever. Luckily for him, the referees missed it and only gave him a two-minute penalty.
"Brutal. Major. Absolutely", Quenneville said. "He [the referee] missed it. We could have scored four goals on that play. Is it a suspension? I don't have to worry about that. The guy didn't even get through his first game back off one. It's not my call".
Patrick Sharp tied it up during Torres’s penalty. He was fed the puck from behind Luongo giving captain, Jonathan Toews, his second assist of the night on their fifth power play opportunity.
Mikael Samuelsson made the final goal to give Vancouver a one point advantage nearly midway through the third period. Chicago was unable to keep up after that.
The Blackhawks have another chance at home to keep themselves alive in the series on Tuesday when they face the Canucks in game four of the Western Conference quarterfinals.
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