Hawks Win! Hawks Win! It’s been 13 years since anyone could say that about a Chicago ice hockey team in the playoffs and I predicted it here when Mike Keenan pulled a “Jimmy the Greek” after game four (see previous blog).
Sure we can attribute it to a younger, hungrier team with fresh legs. But in the end, Game 6 went to the Hawks because the Keenan-led Flames continually double shifted star centerman Jarome Iginla. All respect goes to the versatile two-way former MVP, but 24 minutes in ice time? Only Calgary defenseman Adrian Aucoin played more – unheard of for a forward – even in the playoffs. Iginla took a face-off with six different line configurations. He didn’t know if he was there to score or check. How else can anyone explain his presence on the ice when Adam Burish scored his first playoff goal midway through the first?
When a hockey coach loses faith in his aging team and keeps his star on the ice, skating with every line for the entire game, the star either steps up or turtles. Iginla turtled with only two of his team’s 44 shots and a minus 2 for the game. And the blame goes to Keenan. Hey Mike, the curtain is up and its show time, the Stanley Cup playoffs. You either have your lines set or you don’t. You didn’t.
Go ahead and take the summer to think about it, tough guy.
Prediction: Blackhawks lose in 6 to Vancouver. And that's the Word of Sand.
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