82 games and the Blackhawks came down to just one to clinch home ice advantage throughout the Western Conference of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. And wouldn’t you know it but the hated and getting healthier by the day Detroit Red Wings spoiled the fun with a heart stopping 3-2 overtime win over the Hawks when Brad Stuart scored at the 3:11 mark of extra time. And that game winning was set up by former Hawk Dan Cleary who had a strong playoff series against his former team last spring. The result means that the San Jose Sharks get the top slot while the Blackhawks will be the #2 seed and meet division rival Nashville in the opening round starting Friday night at the United Center. The Hawks broke into the lead at 14:56 of the game when Dave Bolland tipped one past Wings goalie Jimmy Howard and that 1-0 edge carried into the second period. The Hawks out shot the Wings 16-3 in the second period,but Detroit tied the game when Patrick Eaves tipped in Cleary’s shot at 5:01 and that tie remained until the third period. The Red Wings quieted the largest crowd(22,428)of the season at 7:10 of the third with Tomas Holstorm scoring his 25th past a screened Antti Niemi. The Hawks got it right back however at 10:44 when Marian Hossa got a pass through the goal mouth and with Howard blocked off,Colin Fraser remained in his recent hot streak with a tip in that went off his skate,but after a replay review,it was ruled a good goal and the crowd got back into the game. The Hawks had a late power play when Johan Franzen was sent off for tripping at 17:28,but the Wings protected Howard and killed it off. Once it went to overtime,the Wings had a decided edge in play and in fact the only two shots on goal,including Stuart’s game winner.
NOTES—In addition to the Hawks facing Nashville in the post season for the first time ever, Detroit will play Phoenix which is the #4 seed and has home ice for the first round…..Revenge seven years later? In 2003,the Hawks beat Detroit in the regular season finale which knocked the Wings to the #2 seed rather than #1. Detroit then got swept by Anaheim in the first round. The Blackhawks did not make the playoffs that season.
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