Same Day, Same Result...

Exactly one year later, same game #, same teams, same result. After a great first period that had fans sitting on the edge of their seats, the Canucks came out for the second period... or did they? The Blackhawks came to play in the 2nd and scored twice quickly on a great tip by Vancouvers own, Troy Brouwer. This goal was followed up by a defensive breakdown by Kevin Bieksa 30 seconds later that allowed Kris Versteeg to walk right in and make it a 2-0 game 2:36 into the 2nd. The Canucks showed signs of life until a terrible attempt of a chip pass on a PP by Pavol Demitra with 45 seconds to play in the 2nd sent David Bolland in on a breakaway and somehow score on a goal that Luongo would definitely want back. This game was in the bag after that as the Hawks added another 2 goals in the 3rd by Patrick Kane and Dustin Byfuglien. Canucks only goal came from an unlikely source in Shane O'Brien.

Goaltending

In the big game, Niemi came to play, Luongo didn't. You couldn't fault Luongo on the first two goals, but the other 3 that he let in were all stoppable pucks.

Defense

The Blackhawks D played well throughout the series, shutting down the Canucks forwards and that played a huge part in this series. The Canucks battered and bruised D showed heart and never gave up. Alex Edler left the game with an injury as Byfuglien fell on him early in the first. Sami Salo played hurt with a huge cheer and the chant "balls of steel" echoing in GM Place.

Forwards

The Hawks forwards were better in this series hands down. Jonathan Toews had points in all 6 games and was the best player in the series. The Canucks forwards were nowhere in sight. The Canucks defense scored 4 out of the last 5 goals in the series (the 1 goal the forwards scored was Burrows into an empty net). That is not good enough and wasn't going to win the games. The frustration kicked in for the Canucks. Samuelsson, Kesler, Burrows and the Sedins, were not good enough. When your best forwards is the 3rd line centre, Wellwood, you are not going to win games.