Allsports Thinks Experience Was the Difference for the Detroit Red Wings

If you have been searching for sports on the web or if your a hockey fan you will be aware by now that the Detroit Red Wings sent the Chicago Black Hawks golfing the other night.

Chicago was really behind the eight ball for this game after their collective brain cramp in the previous one at home. Cristobal Huet needed a better game and he delivered, stopping 21 Detroit shots in the first period to keep Chicago in the game and the game scoreless after one period.

In the second period the Black Hawks came out much stronger and carried the play to the Red Wings. Only some great goal-tending by Chris Osgood kept the game scoreless through two periods. Both goalies were putting on a clinic for the fans.

The third period was a back and forth affair until Chicago made a critical mistake. Detroit had them hemmed in their own zone and they could not clear the puck, Daniel Cleary tipped in a point shot to give the Wings a 1-0 lead at 6:08 of the third period. It was Cleary’s, 8th goal of the playoffs and he has really provided the Wings with the secondary scoring required since Datsyuk has been injured. Then with 12:53 gone in the third Patrick Kane finally saw some open ice for the first time in the series and roofed a beautiful backhand to tie the game up.  The game remained tied and went to overtime. Kane’s goal was worth a second look and the video is below.

In the overtime frame, speedster Darren Helm popped in the winner 3:58 into the extra period to send Detroit to the final against Pittsburgh for the second year in a row. Detroit took the Western Conference series four games to one.

This years final is a rematch from last year when Detroit won the cup in six games. Pittsburgh is hungry to avenge the lose and it will be tough for Detroit the way Crosby and Malkin are playing. Detroit needs to get their injured players back but that being said it will be a great and entertaining Stanley Cup Final and will go at least 6 but more likely 7 games.

Clarence Campbell Bowl

The last time the same two teams met in the final twice in a row was the 1983-84 season, twenty five years ago. That year a young Edmonton Oilers team, lead by a couple of guy’s named Gretzky and Messier, took out the New York Islanders to win their first Stanley Cup. I think I had touched on this topic in an earlier post titled Allsports is having a hard time finding time to write, written back on May 21st 2009.

Prince of Wales Trophy

For people out there that are not to well versed on NHL hockey, the Clarence S. Campbell Bowl is awarded to the Western Conference playoff  champion and the Prince of Wales Trophy is awarded to the Eastern Conference playoff champion.

I hope the post is informative and that people enjoy reading it.

“No Guts No Glory”

Walt Webb