One Goal. Let’s Go Hawks!
By Frank Rekas
It’s here. Well at least in a few hours it will be. Puck drop that is, to what will be a great matchup of two teams vying for Lord’s Stanley’s Cup. I’ve already done my team vs. team analysis for the main page of Fan Sided so go here to see it.
Panther fans, you should be rooting for the Hawks on this one. Why? Well for one your new General Manager Dale Tallon put them together that’s why. Another reason is that the Flyers are in our conference and we don’t want to have to deal with facing them as champions four times next season do we? Plus how can you like the Flyers?
With my roots in Chicago, those of you who read this blog (I think I’m up to four now) know that my heart and sole lives with the Blackhawks. It’s kinda hard to give that up after living there as long as I did. I also need the redemption of the 1992 Finals when the Hawks were swept by Mario and the Pens back on June 8th 1992. I was there and saw Mario and the Pens carry the puck around the Chicago Stadium. I felt like vomiting from the second balcony that night when it was over. My heart has honestly never healed from that.
So now 18 years later Chicago has as good a chance as they’ve ever had to come home with the championship. The roster has been put together for exactly this scenario. It’s not like it’s win or else mind you, but the opportunity is there. Philly won’t be a push over. They play a rough game when needed, but so do the Hawks. They have some skilled players, but so do the Hawks. It’s really a pretty evenly matched series, but the Hawks have everything going for them and have beaten three formidable opponents. They have more offensive weapons and can score in bunches. As I said in my main page post, this is Philly’s first real test since New Jersey.
Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane and Big Buff have the hotest line in the playoffs right now. Three very different players that have complimented themselves very well. The Rat (Dave Bolland), Marian Hossa , and the good looking and sharp shooting Patrick Sharp lead the offence. It doesn’t stop there though as every line posseses at least one if not two skilled players. The defence is solid as well, and if you have any question about that, take a look at what Duncan Keith did in game four against San Jose. Lost seven teeth, missed a few shifts and still played almost 30 minutes of that game! Unbelieveable.
People have questioned the toughness of Chicago? With what Duncan Keith showed and the way Chicago has responded to every challenge, I have no idea what the questions are all about. As far as size goes, the Hawks are just as big as Philadelphia
Antti Niemi the 26 year old rookie goalie has been senasational thtoughout the playoffs and doesn’t appear to crack under pressure. Veteran John Madden a former cup winner himself is like the coach on the ice for this group.
Speaking of coach’s, Joel Quenneville has done a masterful job getting to this point. HIs management of his bench, and utilization of his line matchups has been excellent. It must be great to have all the weapons he has in his aresenal.
The city is buzzing, and the United Center is prepared to rock tonight. The energy level and the atmposphere is going to be electric. I’ve been a nervous wreck ever since monday waiting for this game, as well as the chance for the Hawks to end their drought.
I’ve got all my rituals in place and will have done all the right things up to and during the game(s). This series is going to be a real barn burner, but I’m sure you know I picking the Hawks in six. Not because I’m a fan, but because I feel they are the better team.
So as the title says, One Goal. Let’s go Hawks!
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