Day-55 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs:
Observations and Random thoughts by Chris Madsen:
WHAT DO YOU THINK?: We all know by now that the Blackhawks have taken a 3-games-to-2 Series advantage in the Stanley Cup Final following a 3-1 victory in Game-5, but the big question now is whether or not Boston’s Johnny Boychuk should face disciplinary action after leveling Hawks Captain Jonathan Toews. Although there was no penalty on the play, Boychuk appears to thrust both arms–from the chest out–missing Toews’ shoulder and landing and crushing blow right along the jaw-line:
Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville said Toews has “an upper-body injury” and added that he is “hopeful” Toews will be able to play in Game-6, Monday night at Boston.
Considering the Bruins are on the brink, it doesn’t matter how gutsy a call it would be to level a possible suspension…but would it simply be the right thing to do as the League continues its commitment to protect the players.? Toews, BTW, remained on the Blackhawks bench throughout the 3rd Period, but did NOT take a shift. Please share your COMMENT below.
In the meantime, if you missed it, the Toews-Patrick Kane and Bryan Bickell gave Boston fits–again–with Kane registering two goals, including the game winner:
Meanwhile, the Bruins didn’t skate away from this game unscathed, either. Although, if you watch the sequence, there is no clear evidence as to why Boston Center Patrice Bergeron left the game:
In fact, the B’s confirmed that Bergeron was taken by ambulance for observation but offered no indication as to the nature of his ailment, according to Bruins coach Claude Julien : “No update. I think there’s no concern until you get an update. As far as we’re concerned he’s just getting evaluated right now, so not much I can say on his situation. He may be in next game.”
IT’S NOT OVER YET: Since the NHL went to a best-of-7 format for the Stanley Cup in 1939, the winner of Game-5 in a dead-locked series has gone on to win the title 15 times in 22 occasions. However, Boston is one of those seven teams who defied the odds during their 2011 Cup run v. Vancouver and came back to win it all.
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UNTIL THE NEXT TIME WE LACE ‘EM UP AND HIT THE ICE!–Chris Madsen
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TONIGHT’S SCHEDULE:
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