Phoenix Coyotes dominate 4-0 to eliminate Chicago Blackhawks in Game 6 -NHL Playoffs Update
If a team could fantasise the end of a playoff series, it would definitely be like how Phoenix eliminated Chicago. Coyotes’ goalie, Mike Smith, shined with a 39 save performance, shutting out Blackhawks, 4-0, Monday night, April 23, 2012, at the sold-out
United Center in Chicago, Illinois, in Game 6 of the 2012 National Hockey League (NHL) Stanley Cup Western Conference Playoff Quarterfinals.
Smith, predicted to be the x-factor for Phoenix in this year’s run for the Stanley Cup, definitely lived up to the expectations and showed the world why he is one of the best.
"He was unbelievable," said Coyotes captain, Shane Doan, talking about Smith.
"It was just one of those games when pucks were hitting me and our guys were doing a good job to get rebounds over there and tie guys up after their shots. It was just the rhythm of the game, it seemed like," Smith added.
Playing in Chicago’s United Center was never considered to be an easy feat, especially in front of a playoff supercharged crowd but Phoenix and Mike Smith did not let it affect them at all.
Chicago has been ousted from the opening round for the second straight time with last year’s loss being against Vancouver Canucks, but that was in an intense Game 7. Monday night was just a piece of cake for Phoenix.
"I don't know what to say right now. We worked so hard, we had so many chances, and every time we had a chance and it didn't go in, we said, `Keep working, we'll get another one. It'll go in eventually," Chicago captain, Jonathan Toews, said.
Oliver Ekman-Larsson potted the first in round-two with less than seven minutes remaining on a power play opportunity with Toews out for interference.
Gilbert Brule added the second in round-two followed by Antoine Vermette and Kyle Chipchura to secure it with less than six minutes to play in regulation.
Phoenix has definitely been showing solid form throughout an intense series with Chicago Blackhawks but now, as they advance to the Semi-Finals against Nashville Predators, it will be interesting to see who comes on top.
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