Fans did not recognize the Chicago Blackhawks in Games 2-4, but the Blackhawks that won the President’s Trophy showed up in the third period of Game 6 to snatch the victory away from the Detroit Red Wings and force Game 7.
They were down 3-1 in the series after losing Games 2, 3, and 4. The Blackhawks never lost three games in a row during the regular season. The team gave fans hope in Game 5 and at the beginning of Game 6, but after a quick power play goal by Marian Hossa in the first period they dismantled and allowed Detroit to move ahead 2-1 at the end of the second period.
It would not last. Jack Adams Trophy nominee Joe Quenneville must have said something to light the fire because a completely different team came on the ice for the third period
Their three goals happened in less than nine minutes from the beginning of the third period. Michal Handzus scored :51 into the period with a wrist shot to make it 2-2 and at 5:48 Bryan Bickell scored to give Chicago the 3-2 lead. Michael Frolik recovered the puck in the neutral zone to start a breakaway on Detroit’s goalie Jimmy Howard. However, Detroit’s defenseman Carlo Coaiacovo slashed him right when he was about to shoot. Frolik was given a rare penalty shot.
Frolik caught Howard looking and snapped in the goal with a sweet backhand shot over Howard’s shoulder. It was his third goal of the season.
The 2013 playoffs have shown no lead is safe until the clock strikes zero and this game was no exception. Detroit pulled Howard for another skater when Hossa was called for a tripping penalty. It gave Detroit a little life and Damien Brunner scored with 51.7 seconds left to make it 4-3. After the goal, Chicago’s goalie Corey Crawford took a drink of water and leaned on the net to shake off the goal. He was able to hold on and Chicago won 4-3.
Game 7 is Wednesday night in Chicago at 8PM ET on NBC Sports Network.
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