Canucks Silence the Crowd in Chicago's Madhouse on Madison

The only thing that was mad about that game, was the Chicago crowd towards its goalie Antti Niemi, who got lit up for five goals by the visiting Vancouver Canucks.

Nothing like a little motivating redemption to inspire a team after getting their noses wiped by the Blackhawks last year in Games Six and again on March 5, where both times Roberto Luongo was shelled.

When you make a proud combative goaltender look like Swiss cheese, at some point that cheese will turn in to rock hard solid Parmesan.

Try grating on that one for awhile Chicago!

The Canucks were definitely ready to play the game and the Blackhawks must have thought they were still playing Nashville, where they could turn it on when the need arises.

All ‘Nucks four lines contributed, supporting the defense, who except for Alex Edler, played a tight checking and aggressive game.

The D was pinching at the right times and kept the offensive pressure on the Blackhawks, keeping them off balance all night.

As For Alex Edler, how can this guy play so inconsistently? The guy must drive the coaches crazy because he sure has got my number, like most of the year.

Stand back here, I gotta rant!

In Game One against LA he plays all world, has his best game of his career and in this game, one of the worst games of his career.

Three penalties, one which cost the Canucks , more than six give-a-ways, a half a dozen times where he tried to stick check his opponent missed, gave it up at the blue-line, and on three of those, the player had partial break-a-ways or great scoring opportunities.

This guy was five times worse than Andrew Alberts who rode the bench for most of the third period in his LA game, so why not Edler?

How come this guy always gets a mulligan?

Hey Coach Vigneault, with Aaron Rome now ready to return, maybe a seat in the press box would motivate Edler and create some desire because last night he looked like he was playing not to get hit.

Once again I say, until he gives up that lame stick check attempt and puts his body to good use, his inconsistency will continue.

One more thing Coach, how come Alberts is not out there every time Dustin Byfuglien is on the ice? Alberts is a great neutralizer in front of the net, which is why you picked him up at the trade deadline.

Back to Bobby Lou, as I mentioned in a couple of recent LA articles, if he gets on one of his rolls, Chicago will be in tough.

He’s starting to get that swagger back and is starting to emulate his boyhood idol, Grant Fuhr.

You all remember how Fuhr played with those great Edmonton Oilers teams; with swagger and confidence, bordering on arrogance.

And the one thing that made Fuhr outstanding, was the key saves at the crucial point of the game.

Case in point when Edler took a penalty 1:31 into the game and Lou closed the door on the Blackhawks power-play.

In fact Lou did that on five of the six ‘Hawks power-plays and gave up the one lone goal on a five on three advantage.

Mason Raymond, who I wrote about in the Playoff Matchup, had his best game of the playoffs, along with the rest of the Kesler line.

Special mention also goes to Kyle Wellwood and his line.

Even the fourth line chipped in with a goal by Michael Grabner. That line may not be physical, but they sure can motor, which was why they were able to create their scoring chances.

OK, we all know it’s only the first game, but part of the accomplishment has been completed.

That was to get a split in Chicago and the other bonus goes along with it, to take back home ice advantage.

I suspect a couple of Chicago heavy hitters will be inserted into the line-up, like Ben Eager and Adam Burish, with the invisible Bryan Bickell and possibly Tomas Kopecky coming out.

I would think that ‘Hawks coach, Joel Quenneville, will come back with Niemi, and Chicago will have a complete transformation in its play, because it's sure not Niemi's fault that the team in front of him forgot to show up.

This is still going to be a long tough, tough series.