Western Conference Quarterfinals Game 6: Hawks 5, Predators 3 - Mel can exhale - until Saturday around 7CST.

[Note: I really meant to put this up yesterday but was too engrossed in the two game sevens to get it done. All I have to say is: BOOOOOOO Wings & LOLOLOLOLOL Caps. I'll have a brief recap of Round One and my predictions for Round Two tomorrow.]

Game. Set. Match.

The Hawks sure didn't make this one easy on my heart. A fast and furious first period ended with the Hawks leading 4-3 and myself looking for the Rolaids. Goals by four of the Hawks' biggest names, Keith, Kane, Sharp and Toews led the way. Although I wouldn't call Kane's goal a score so much as a fluky occurrence given up by Rinne. Seabrook attempted a dump in off a face off near centre, which deflected off Kaner's skate on net. The Pekkanator (hee) went to the boards expecting the puck, only to make a valiant dive at the goal. I guess there are hockey gods - that evened out the weird bad angle shot Nemo let in Game One.

After the first, everyone was wondering if the final score was going to be 10-9. Both coaches must have realized that type of game wasn't going to work (especially for the Preds), and both the goalies and the D tightened down the screws. Apparently the officials weren't listening as they awarded the Hawks 4 PPs in the second - including a double minor for Hornqvist sticking Sopel's beautiful face (*gag*) resulting in post game stitches. The glorious Power Play Clown Shoes returned to the Hawks (must have gotten them back from Nashville after they scored their only PP goal in the series in the first) and they didn't score. As to not play favorites, the refs gave the Preds 3 PPs in the third which resulted in zilch as well. Finally with Rinne pulled, John "I wear my helmet to cover my eyebrows" Madden iced the game and the series with an empty net tally with eight seconds left. Thank. You. Jebus.

I picked the Hawks in six, but underestimated the fight the Preds would put up. The Predators and their fans have nothing to be ashamed of and should be proud of their play and have joined the list of teams I don't hate when we play them. Even if their D makes me sleepy at times. Honestly, if not for the incredible happenings at the end of Game Five, I think the Preds would have beaten us. Good job boys! Now do something with that awful goal song in the off-season!

Since this is the end of the series, here's a few shout outs (and not so shout outs) for some of the Hawks most notable players:

Three Stars:

1. Patrick Kane – 20 Cent gets this spot alone for his goal with 13.6 seconds left in regulation in Game Five. Sure, I guess you could call it cherry picking, but he was in the right place at the right time. His series total of 4G (leading the team) and 3A is none too shabby.
2. (tie) Jonathan Toews/Patrick Sharp – Toews led the team with 8 total points (2G, 6A) and Sharpie was on his heels with 7 (3G, 4A). Both scored a GWG – Toews in clinching Game Six and Sharp in Game Four. As two of the teams’ biggest stars, they turned it on the last three games of the series when we desperately needed it.
3. Antti Niemi – sure there were games when he let in some goals he probably should have stopped. But two of his first career six playoff starts were shutouts. His 2.15 GAA and .921 SV% are pretty damn respectable. Plus, he seemed to have survived being molested by the officials relatively unscathed.

Unsung Heroes:

1. Brent Sopel – his 21 blocked shots in the series is third in the league. Add some unexpected offense (3A) and steady defense (+4) from a guy that mere weeks ago folks wanted benched permanently. If not for him, I think we would have gone to a Game Seven with the Preds, or worse, be golfing already.
2. Tomas Kopecky – Hossa’s bag handler had two big goals and was a +1. He’s far exceeded expectations thus far, to the point I won’t be hoping he’s selling beer in the stands during the game.
3. John Madden – sure his only point was the empty netter in Game Six. But you can’t underestimate the value of a veteran with deep playoff experience on the team. He had a lot of time on the PK and was a big part of the reason the Preds scored a single goal on the PP for the entire series.

Where You At?

1. Dave Bolland – on the surface the stats look acceptable (1G, 1A, -1), but for a supposed second line center, we need more. Sharp’s taken his place on the second line (he’s not even a natural center!) and Bolland’s been bumped to third. He’s dreadful on the point during the PP, seems out of position way too many times and you could pop an entire bag of popcorn in the time it takes him to wind up and take a shot. He’s obviously not 100% and the team would be better served to sit him and have Colin Fraser take his spot.
2. Troy Brouwer – what happened to the big man? Ever since that horrendous turnover on the GWG in Game One, Troy’s been invisible. He has zero points and a dreadful -4. Wonder if his head’s on straight with his dad’s illness and the aforementioned turnover. Hopefully he gets it right sticking his rear end in Luongo’s face next round.
3. Dustin Byfuglien – Word is Q’s moving him back to forward so he can repeat the only thing he’s ever done well – putting his fat ass in front of Lu. Thank god – take your -3 and zero points off the D and don’t let the door hit you on the ass on the way out. Too bad you’ll be taking the spot of a forward that most likely deserves it way more than you.

Onto the blood rematch with the Fucks Nucks. While I found Vancouver to be one of the most beautiful cities I have ever visited, their hockey team and a majority of fans are a bunch of whiny ass douchebags. They're almost up to my level of hate I have for the Wings. The Scum win because we have more history with them. But there are so many dicks on this Canucks team, the Sedin twins are too creepy for words, and Lu is just such a whiny ass, they may close the gap after this series. Put the seatbelts on boys and girls - this is about to get fun!