Blackhawks Break Out the Brooms

08 May, 2015

For the fifth time in the last seven seasons, the Chicago Blackhawks have reached the Western Conference finals.

They’re eight wins away from topping that feat with a third Stanley Cup.

Stellar saves by Corey Crawford, another timely goal by Patrick Kane and a composed finish despite a frenzied attempt by Minnesota to send Game 4 into overtime all helped the Blackhawks complete a sweep of the Wild in their second-round playoff series with a 4-3 victory on Thursday night.

“It was probably a little too close for comfort, but they are a team that is not going to give up,” said Kane, adding: “It doesn’t matter how you get it.”

The Wild never led in the series, but they rallied after falling behind 4-1 on Marian Hossa’s short-handed, empty-net goal with 3:07 left. Devan Dubnyk, who made 21 saves to cap a remarkable run for the Wild since arriving in a season-saving mid-January trade, was pulled for most of the last four minutes.

The Blackhawks improved to 30-0, including 5-0 this postseason, when leading after two periods.

“The biggest thing is that we just won two big ones, two close ones, on the road,” captain Jonathan Toews said. “I think it shows that we’re not satisfied.”

The Blackhawks will face either the Anaheim Ducks or Calgary Flames in the conference finals. The Ducks lead that series 2-1, with the next game Friday night.

Brent Seabrook and Andrew Shaw also scored for the Blackhawks, who were down to five defensemen after a serious injury to veteran Michal Roszival. Toews and Bryan Bickell had two assists apiece, and Chicago eliminated Minnesota from the playoffs for the third straight year, winning 12 of the 15 games.

Crawford stopped 124 of 131 shots in the four games for a robust .947 save percentage.

AP 

Image 2nd City hockey twitter

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