Chicago Blackhawks: 12 Best Moments in Blackhawks Playoff History

Tonight is the night!! The Chicago Blackhawks begin their quest for a second Stanley Cup in three years as they face off in the dessert against the Phoenix Coyotes.  

What will unfold? Only time will tell, but hopefully a lot of drama and memories for the fans of the Indian Head Sweater.

When looking back at the franchise's history, there are a number of playoff moments to reflect on. Some exhilarating, others heartbreaking.

Before the puck drops for the Hawks in 2012, let's take a look back at the best of the best from this historic team.

Here are the top 12 moments in Blackhawks playoff history.

1934: 'Hawks Win the Stanley Cup

With Charlie Gardiner as their backstop, the Hawks won their first Stanley Cup in 1934.

On a Tuesday night, April 10, the 'Hawks defeated the Detroit Red Wings for their first taste of the Holy Grail.

Coach Tommy Gorman took the Hawks to a 3-1 series win over their rivals from Detroit.

It was Gardiner who stole the show.  Gardiner, who played most of the year ill with a tonsillar infection, allowed a mere 12 goals in eight games.

Sadly, that June, the 29-year-old Stanley Cup hero died of a brain hemorrhage. He will live on in Blackhawks folklore as one of the best clutch performers in team history. 

 

1938: 'Hawks Win the Stanley Cup

In 1938, the 'Hawks won their second Stanley Cup in five years after beating the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-1 on April 12.

Despite winning hockey's ultimate prize, the Hawks were mediocre at best during the regular season, stumbling to a 14-25-9 overall record.

To this day, that is the worst regular season record among Stanley Cup-winning teams.  

But when it mattered the most, 'Hawk winger Harold "Mush" March and company got it together to raise the Cup in the Chicago Stadium. 

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1985: Bannerman!!!!

In 1985, the Blackhawks were ultimately beaten by the eventual Stanley Cup champion Edmonton Oilers in the Campbell Conference Finals. 

In the Norris Division Final, the 'Hawks had their hands full with the Minnesota North Stars.

Darryl Sutter scored in overtime of Game 6 to clinch the series, but goaltender Murray Bannerman provided the most memorable moment of that season.

With the game tied 5-5, the Stars' Keith Acton was in alone on a breakaway, only to have Bannerman stack the pads and keep the Hawks in the game. 

What made the the moment all the more exciting was the call made by the 31-year-old Pat Foley.

'Hawks fans of that era will remember Foley bellowing out Bannerman's name in ecstasy.

2010: Patrick Kane's Goal Gives the 'Hawks Their First Sip in 49 Years

We've seen it a hundred times, and it never gets old.

When Patrick Kane fired what looked to be a harmless shot from an odd angle, it beat Michael Leighton and stuck in the far side of the net.

When players and fans finally realized what had happened, the Hawks had won their first Stanley Cup in 49 years.

Wild celebrations on the the streets of Chicago ensued, and Chicagoans will forever remember where they were on June 9, 2010.

1971: Bobby Hull's OT Winner in Game 5 Against the Rangers

In the the NHL semifinals in 1971, the 'Hawks found themselves in an Original Six battle with the New York Rangers that would ultimately go seven games.

On Tuesday, Apr 27, the 'Hawks hosted the blue shirts for Game 5.

The 'Hawks tied the game in the third period and in overtime were able to capitalize off a faceoff deep in Rangers' territory.

Bobby Hull fired a quick-snap shot from the top of the circles that sent the Chicago Stadium into a frenzy.  

The 'Hawks would go on to win the series in seven games and book a ticket to the Stanley Cup Finals. 

2010: Marian Hossa's OT Winner in Game 5 Against the Predators

Game 5 of the first round of the playoffs on Saturday, April 24, 2010, may have been the most significant game of the the Blackhawks' 2010 Stanley Cup run.

Late in the game, trailing the Nashville Predators 4-3, Marian Hossa was called for a five-minute boarding major.

When the game seemed lost, Patrick Kane scored an improbable shorthanded goal with 14 seconds left to send the game into overtime.

In the beginning of extra time, the Hawks still had to kill off the remainder of Hossa's five-minute major. They successfully did so, and when Hossa charged out of the box on the ice he scored the game-winner.

This was the moment that the 'Hawks looked like a team of destiny. Though Kane's overtime goal in the Finals is what dreams are made of, Hossa's Game 5 goal of this series could very well be the biggest goal of that season.

1994: Tony Amonte Scores Four Goals Against the Leafs

1994 marked the final season of hockey in the Chicago Stadium.

In the first round, the Hawks faced off against the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Trailing the Leafs 2-0, the series headed to Chicago for Game 3 on April 23, where Tony Amonte took over.

Amonte, acquired at he trade deadline weeks before, pumped in four goals in what Pat Foley deemed, "A night he'll never forget."

The Hawks would lose the series in six games, but Amonte's performance brought the house down at the 'Ole Grey Lady' one last time. 

1961: 'Hawks Win the Stanley Cup

On April 16, 1961, the 'Hawks dusted off the Detroit Red Wings 5-1 in the Detroit Olympia to capture their third Stanley Cup in franchise history.

Led by future Hall of Famers Bobby Hull, Stan Mikita, Pierre Pilot and Glen Hall, the 'Hawks dispatched of the Wings in six games to claim NHL glory.

Little did 'Hawks fans realize at the time, Chicago would not see the Cup again for almost half a century.

1992: Dirk Graham's Hat Trick in the Stanley Cup Finals

In 1992, the 'Hawks reached the Stanley Cup Finals for the first time since 1973.

Unfortunately, the outcome was a four-game sweep at the hands of Mario Lemieux and the Pittsburgh Penguins.

In Game 4 at the Chicago Stadium, 'Hawks captain Dirk Graham brought 'Hawks faithful to their feet in the first period with a hat trick.

Although the outcome of the game and the series were not what fans had hoped, Graham's hat trick showed the character and class of a team that would not go down without a fight.  

1995: Chris Chelios' Back-to-Back OT Winners Sweep the Canucks

In the strike-shortened 1995 season, the 'Hawks made it to the Conference Finals.

En route against the Vancouver Canucks in the second round, Chris Chelios recorded back-to-back game-winners on the road.

In overtime of Game 3, Chelios came in from the point and faked Canuck netminder Kirk McClean for the game-winner.

Game 4 in extra time saw Cheli drill a one-timer off a feed from Savard to clinch a series sweep.

The Hawks would eventually lose to the Detroit Red Wings in five games in the Conference Finals, but Chelios' wild ride in Vancouver was one for the ages. 

1990: 'Hawks Smoke Blues 8-2 to Win the Norris Division

In the Norris Division Final in 1990, the St. Louis Blues pushed the 'Hawks to a seventh game at the Stadium on April 30. 

What many thought would be a close battle ended up being a rout as the Hawks hammered the Blues 8-2.

After Jeremy Roenick gave the Hawks a 2-0 first-period lead, the Blues went on a power play early in the second frame.

Steve Larmer drilled a demoralizing goal that gave the Hawks a 3-0 cushion, and Chicago was in cruise control for the rest of the night.

2009: Kane's Hat Trick Sends the 'Hawks to the Conference Finals

The 2009 playoffs mark a changing of the guard for the fans on West Madison Street.

Anchored by young guns, the 'Hawks made the playoffs for the first time since 2002.

While many thought these young 'Hawks would be bounced out in the early rounds, the kids showed their faithful a prelude of things to come by booking a ticket to the Western Conference Finals.

It was done with style.

On May 11, The 'Hawks hosted the Vancouver Canucks for Game 6 of the series. Twenty-year-old Patrick Kane delighted with a hat trick, and the 'Hawks victimized Roberto Luongo and company with a 7-5 series-clinching win.

Though the 'Hawks would bow out in the Conference Finals, 2009 set a new standard, and of course the 'Hawks did not disappoint a year later.