Western Conference Finals: Game Three Wings vs. Hawks

Red Wings lead the series 2-1

By Lisa Ovens

Since Jan Snyder is brilliantly recapping the Pens/ Canes Eastern Conference Final games for Lisa's Hockey Lounge at h&hh.com, I figured I'd offer up some Western Conference Finals game three chat, because

a) I live in the West

b) one of the WCF teams knocked out my home team in round two and this is my opportunity to slightly dis them... and

c) I get to use this really crazy picture of Scott Stevens!

The Kronwall Hit on Havlat...What would Scott Stevens Say???

"Well, it's not figure skating. No one gets a free ride out there. Just ask Paul Kariya...and Eric Lindros...and Koslov...and, oh, Ron Francis...and that other guy. Yeah...that was My NHL."

Okay, Scott Stevens didn't say that. I just embellished some quotes of his. But couldn't you imagine Stevens being a go to guy on hits these days? Maybe he'd say stuff like..."skating with his head down...one Mississippi...ooh it's a cleansie!!"

Yeah, Scott Stevens calling a hit a cleansie, Ha!

The first period Kronwall hit resulting in five and a game misconduct that ended Martin Havlat's evening in the wooziest of ways was just one tidbit of many from game three of the Wings/ B.Hawks series. The Blackhawks had a whopping 11 minutes of powerplay in the first period which translated into a whopping two goals for the young, fresh faced team.

NBA legend Michael Jordan was seen moving and shaking with Bobby Hull. Also seen was Chicago back up goal tender Cristobal Huet and a dressed "back up" back up goaltender Corey Crawford to start the third, as number one net minder, Nikolai Khabibulin didn't return because his "Bulin Wall" status became questionable, or one of the bricks is damaged, or both.

The Blackhawks loss control of the game and blew a 3 goal lead. The Red Wings fought back and forced the game to a 3-3 tie. One reason for the comeback? Adam Burish had words for Nik Lidstrom with five minutes left in the second period. yes, that's correct... words for Lidstrom. Of all people to "chat" at. Thanks to the CBC for pointing that out to me. The Wings Niklas Lidstrom is so smooth, so stealth, so classy of a player, you sometimes don't realize he's there, yet important things get done. Burish yapped at him, and during the next play Lidstrom scores. Man, he's the coolest. I heard Lidstrom once had an awkward moment, just to see how it feels. (That's a joke. It's a spoof of the latest "Most interesting man in the world" Dos Equis beer commercial).

And speaking of the CBC, I am glad to watch a game with the Hockey Night in Canada gang for a change. I have a threshhold when it comes to TSN's playoff coverage, and this past week I reached it. That's another column.

So the sold out standing room only crowd at United Center (which for a little while was the "Quiet Center") were treated to a third intermission, and an overtime period that was abruptly ended by their very own Patrick Sharp who potted the OT winner: final score 4-3. Those Blackhawks, they're writing the book on over time period efficiency.

Soon we will learn details about fallen B. Hawk, Martin Havlat, and the situation with Nikolai Khabibulin. And maybe we'll learn more about the Red Wing's Pavel Datsyuk and his aching foot.

What we do know now is game four is set for Sunday, May 24th at 12 noon pst (nooner hockey games, can anyone get used to this, really?) and the Blackhawks are all excited thinking this like a really big series now, and in the other corner the Red Wings, well, it's business as usual for the defending Stanley Cup campions.