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Race for Western Conference Leader Intensifies

Written by: EricC on 8th April 2010

The Chicago Blackhawks and the San Jose Sharks each have two games remaining on their Regular Season Schedule and are currently tied in points. One of these two teams will end the Regular Season as the Leader of the Western Conference, giving them the upper hand throughout the Playoffs. Chicago is currently in the lead due to more games won, adding another win on Wednesday night after defeating the St. Louis Blues. Chicago held a major lead for the majority of the game, but the Blues began to make a comeback in the third period.

After taking a tough loss to the Blues about a week earlier, an opening goal from St. Louis didn’t start things off right. However, the Blackhawks went unfazed, scoring four goals between 6:17 and 9:25. The first came from Duncan Keith, giving him his 14th goal of the season and extending his NHL career high in points, with 68. Then, Ben Eager followed up with a leading goal off a pass from Patrick Kane. The young Bryan Bickell managed to put in his third goal of the season, giving the Hawks a two goal lead. The final goal of the four goal onslaught came from Kris Versteeg, during a Blue’s Power Play, giving Versteeg his third Short Handed goal of the season. Chicago has a clear lead in the Short Handed goals department, putting up 13 throughout the season (The trailing team only has 9).

However, a 4-1 lead wasn’t enough for the Blackhawks. Andrew Ladd put in his 17th goal of the season early in the second period, followed by a sixth goal from Jordan Hendry about five minutes later. Hendry was one of the last Hawks to score this season, and now he has added a second goal. St. Louis managed to put a second goal in during the final minutes of the second period.

The Hawks entered the third period with a 6-2 lead, making this game seem pretty much over. Unfortunately, that was not quite the case, because the Blues began to make a comeback. Two more Blue’s goals between the 3rd and 14th minute put them only two goals behind. With only 30 seconds left in the game, St. Louis was awarded a penalty shot, which they successfully put in. Luckily, the Hawks held them off for the final 30 seconds, pulling out their 51st win of the season.

Antti Niemi played an great game up to the third period. Going into the third period, he had made 16 saves and only given up two goals. The third period turned those numbers around, making 10 saves but giving up three goals, and almost throwing the game away. Niemi chalked up his 25th win of the season.

The Hawks second to last game of the Regular Season will take place this Friday, April 9, at 8:00 P.M. CT. They take on the Colorado Avalanche, the team they will most likely be facing if they enter the Playoffs as the Leader of the Western Conference.