How about those HAWKS?!?

I already mentioned that I don't really know enough about hockey but...it doesn't take an expert to tell you how awesome that game was last night. I was writing my blog last night during the first two periods and had the game summary up in my web browser. 1-0 Hawks, 1-1, 2-1 Hawks, 3-1 (feeling REALLY good at this point), then 3-2, 3-3 (what's going on here?), and that's where the 2nd period finished up. I'm thinking OK, we're still at home, the crowd is still NUTS, we can do this and punch our ticket to the conference finals for the first time since 1995. Then I started thinking about the 2003 Cubs - NO get those HORRIBLE thoughts out of your head man!

It didn't take long but there it was - a stupid penalty for too many men on the ice (really?). Mats Sundin made it 4-3 Canucks (what?!?). Wait! What happened to that 3-1 lead at home? NO! Officially, it was not considered a power play goal, but the tally occurred 2 seconds after the Canucks finished their power play so the Hawks 5th skater wasn't in the play yet. But wait, these guys are so resilient, it's really only me that's nervous at this point. So how do these guys do it? How do they not get nervous in BIG spots when they're down? I think maybe its because they're too young and inexperienced to really get the gravity of the situation. You know? Too dumb to be scared! Whatever it is...it worked!

The 3rd period was one for the ages...UNREAL! Down 4-3 against arguably the best goal tender in the world...no problem. Then the barrage started...Burish (really? yes!) tied it less than 2 minutes later at 4-4. And then back and forth, back and forth...finally about 6 1/2 minutes after Burish tied it, Vancouver struck again to take their final lead of the series...of the season when Sedin scored his second goal of the game.

The rest of the 3rd belonged to the young Hawks. First Kane tied it at 5-5 with a great steal and wrap-around from behind the net. Really? 5 goals against Luongo - isn't he supposed to be the best in the world? Less than 30 seconds later, the Hawks drew a borderline (looked like a good call to me :)) hooking penalty and then Towest took advantage on a pass intended for Sharpe that went off the skate of a Vancouver defenseman about 25 seconds into the final power play of the series to take the lead for good. That was Towes second goal of the game matching Kane to that point. Well, last year's Calder Trophy (i.e. Rookie of the Year) winner wasn't to be equaled on this night...Kane scored the 7th goal of the game to get his very first hat trick of his 2-year career (there will be PLENTY more in the very near future for this star).

The final seconds of the period could not tick down fast enough. Tick...tick...tick...whistle...tick...tick...tick. But the Hawks would finish off the Canucks on home ice before an absolutely ecstatic crowd. What a roller coaster ride for those folks! I was going crazy at home by myself and I was only able to watch the 3rd period (couldn't have picked a better period to watch though); these people were there for the whole game. Up 3-1 and feeling pretty good...down 4-3 and sick to your stomach just a little bit...tied 4-4 and thinking "OK, here we go now"...not yet; down 5-4 and going "come on boys - let's cheer louder!"...tied 5-5 and going "now?"...then 6-5 "woohoo"...then 7-5 "WOOHOO"...then tick, tick, tick..."bring on the Red Wings (or Ducks)!"

What a fantastic season...and it ain't over yet! GO HAWKS!!!