Thursday, May 9, 2013

Western Conference Quarterfinal: 1) Chicago Blackhawks VS. 8) Minnesota Wild

Welcome to the post for the quarterfinal series between the Chicago Blackhawks and the Minnesota Wild in the NHL Stanley Cup playoffs. This post will act as a reference for the entire series.

Game 1: United Center, Chicago, Illinois. In goal: Josh Harding for Minnesota and Corey Crawford for Chicago. Minnesota opened with a first period Cal Clutterbuck goal, coming off of Clayton Stoner. Chicago tied it in the second period with a Marian Hossa power play goal, powered by Patrick Kane and Duncan Keith. The Blackhawks won 2-1 in overtime as Bryan Bickell scored, with the help of Viktor Stalberg and Johnny Oduya. The three stars were given to Bickell, Hossa, and Harding (35 for 37 in saves), while Crawford (26 for 27 in saves) gets an honorable mention. The Blackhawks own a 1-0 series lead.

Game 2: United Center, Chicago, Illinois. In goal: Josh Harding for Minnesota and Corey Crawford for Chicago. Chicago led off in the first period with a Michael Frolik goal, assisted by Andrew Shaw and Nick Leddy. The Blackhawks added on as Frolik scored a shorthanded goal in the second period, via Duncan Keith and Niklas Hjalmarsson. Minnesota got on the board as Devin Setoguchi scored, thanks to Matt Cullen and Jason Zucker. Chicago replied in the third period with a Patrick Sharp goal, passed from Patrick Kane and Michal Handzus. The Blackhawks extended the lead as Sharp scored again, his second goal of the game, with a lone helper by Kane. The Wild got one back with a Marco Scandella goal, guided in by Charlie Coyle and Cullen. Chicago iced it at 5-2 with Bryan Bickell's second of the postseason, an empty net goal made possible by Shaw. The three stars went to Frolik, Crawford (26 for 28 in saves), and Sharp, while Cullen, Shaw, and Kane received the honorable mentions. The Blackhawks leave home with a 2-0 series lead.

Game 3: Xcel Energy Center, St. Paul, Minnesota. In goal: Corey Crawford for Chicago and Josh Harding for Minnesota. Chicago was first to score in the first period on a Johnny Oduya goal, courtesy of Patrick Kane and Marian Hossa. Minnesota tied it with a Pierre-Marc Bouchard goal, coming off of Cal Clutterbuck and Kyle Brodziak. The Wild took the lead in the third period with a Zach Parise goal, fueled by Charlie Coyle. The Blackhawks tied it on a Duncan Keith goal, assisted by Kane and Patrick Sharp. Minnesota won as Jason Zucker scored in overtime, thanks to Matt Cullen and Bouchard. Zucker, Parise, and Harding (25 for 27 in saves) receive the three stars in the 3-2 game, while Bouchard and Kane get the honorable mentions. The Blackhawks still have a 2-1 series lead.

Game 4: Xcel Energy Center, St. Paul, Minnesota. In goal: Corey Crawford for Chicago and Josh Harding for Minnesota. Chicago started in the first period as Patrick Sharp scored his third of the postseason, courtesy of Michal Handzus and Marian Hossa. Darcy Kuemper relieved Harding in the second period. The Blackhawks added on in the second period as Sharp scored his second of the game and fourth of the playoffs, going in unassisted. Chicago extended the lead in the third period as Bryan Bickell scored his third of the postseason, thanks to Andrew Shaw. This produced the 3-0 final, with Crawford (25 save shutout), Sharp, and Ryan Suter getting the three stars, while Bickell deserves the third slot. The Blackhawks have pushed the Wild to the edge, holding a 3-1 lead over them. 

Game 5: United Center, Chicago, Illinois. In goal: Josh Harding for Minnesota and Corey Crawford for Chicago. Chicago began in the first period with a Marian Hossa goal, his second of the postseason, coming off of Jonathan Toews. The Blackhawks added on with a Marcus Kruger goal, courtesy of Michael Frolik and Duncan Keith. Chicago extended the lead as Hossa scored his second of the game and third of the playoffs, thanks to Brandon Saad and Kruger. Darcy Kuemper relieved Harding at this time. Minnesota got on the board with a Torrey Mitchell goal, fueled by Kyle Brodziak and Marco Scandella. The Blackhawks answered on an Andrew Shaw goal, assisted by Bryan Bickell and Keith. Chicago kept going in the third period with a Patrick Sharp power play goal, his fifth of the postseason, powered by Toews and Hossa. This produced a 5-1 final, with the three stars being Hossa, Crawford (21 for 22 in saves), and Kruger, while Toews and Keith get the honorable mentions. The Blackhawks won the series 4-1 and advance to the second round.

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