Nobody thought the run through the 2013 Stanley Cup playoffs would be easy for the Chicago Blackhawks, and the Detroit Red Wings proved just that in the second round.
After disposing of the Minnesota Wild 4-1 in the first round, Chicago found itself facing a 3-1 series deficit against Detroit. But the Blackhawks found their edge and goal-scoring touch to win two consecutive games and tie the series.
They needed a dramatic third period to survive the sixth game in Detroit to come out with a 4-3 win.
Trailing 2-1 after two periods, the Blackhawks stepped up. Michal Handzus found himself alone in front of the net in the first minute after Niklas Hjalmarsson got him the puck. Handzus simply outplayed Detroit goalie Jimmy Howard and wristed the puck just inside the far post.
Handzus was able to take advantage of a golden opportunity:
Handzus on having all day to shoot: "I knew I had more time than we are used to in the whole series. So I tried to take advantage of it."
— Mark Lazerus (@MarkLazerus) May 28, 2013
The Blackhawks could breathe again.
Shortly after tying things up, Bryan Bickell w ...
Read Full Article at Bleacher Report - NHL
Article written by Steve Silverman
Blackhawks vs. Red Wings: How Chicago Seized Momentum in 2nd-Round Series
May 27th, 2013 by Steve Silverman Leave a reply »
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