Unravelled-Canucks Blow Two Goal Lead As Hawks Even Series

Another good start and a two goal lead in the second period you would have thought would have been enough for the Canucks, after all they learned from Thursday's mistakes right? Well if Saturday is any indication then the Canucks haven't learned a single thing. Two first period goals on the power play from Sami Salo and Alex Edler got the Canucks off and running early on at GM Place. 

That however was as good as it would get for Vancouver Saturday as the young Blackhawks for the sixth time in the postseason came from behind and were able to complete the comeback this time.

Halfway through the second Patrick Sharp got Chicago on the board on a scramble in front that Luongo had trouble finding.  Shortly after that the Hawks got a huge break on a ridiculous hooking call on Kevin Bieksa when it should have been goalie interference on Dustin Bfyuglien. 

Mitchell shortly after took a delay of the game penalty and it was suddenly game on.  Patrick Sharp tied it late in the two man advantage after Kesler had broke his stick.  From there the floodgates opened, Dave Bolland scored shorthanded at the end of the second on a very close offside call to put the Canucks behind the eight ball going into the third.

Chicago kept it going in the third early as Ben Eager got one early in the frame and the rout was on. Patrick Kane scored his third of the series to make it 5-2 as GM Place was dead silent and the Canucks were completely snake bit. Henrik Sedin made it respectable late on late two man advantage did nothing but make the score more respectable. Dave Bolland iced the game into the empty net for the 6-3 win. 

The bad blood was really felt in the third with Dustin Bfyuglien drawing a roughing penalty and a game misconduct, Rick Rypien was also tossed on the same play. Jonathan Toews and Alex Burrows were also tossed earlier for a fight as things really got ugly in the third. 

Some cheap play by Martin Havlat may have only fuelled the fire as the series goes along now as Kesler was none too pleased with Havlat taking a swipe at him late in the contest.  The series now shifts to the windy city for game 3 Tuesday as the intensity has reached a fever pitch.

At last Khabibulin broke the curse of the Canucks as he picked up his first win over Vancouver since 1998. The Canucks lose for the first time in the playoffs and the first time on home ice. Of major concern Sami Salo left the game after his goal with a likely groin injury and did not return. 

Luongo has now allowed nine goals in two games, he only allowed five in the first round against St. Louis. They go to Chicago where the Hawks have not lost in this postseason but on the other side the Canucks are also unbeaten on the road thus far.