Keith Returns To Give Blackhawks A 3-2 Win To Even Series With Blues

Duncan Keith returned for the Chicago Blackhawks for Game 2 of the Western Conference Quarter Finals against the St. Louis Blues.  He proved to be more than "just another player" as he had a goal and an assist, and played nearly 31 minutes in the Hawks' 2-1 victory.

The game was tight as normal until the 15:59 mark of the 2nd period when the Blues took advantage of a Michal Rozsival turnover and Vladimir Tarasenko beat Corey Crawford to put the Blues up, 1-0, late in the 2nd.

Then with less than :05 remaining in the period, a faceoff win by Jonathan Toews got back to Keith, who went high on Blues goalie, Brian Elliott, with help of net presence from Andrew Shaw to tie the game at 1 heading into the 3rd period.



In the 3rd period, Tarasenko had put the Blues on top 2-1 with 7:46 remaining in the period, but after video review, the goal was reversed due to Jori Lehtera crossing the Blackhawks blue line just ahead of the puck, ruling the play offsides.  The game remained tied at 1.  Four minutes later, Tarasenko slashed Andrew Shaw's stick to draw a 2 minute penalty.  On the ensuing power play, Shaw gets revenge as he powers a shot past Elliott to put the hawks up 2-1.  After the war room in Toronto said good goal, Blues' Head Coach, Ken Hitchcock challenged the call for goalie interference.  The result still remained a good goal and the Hawks had a 2-1 lead with 4:19 remaining.


With 1:26 remaining in regulation, Artemi Panarin got an empty net goal to put the Hawks up 3-1.  That goal turned out to be the game-winner as Kevin Shattenkirk would score a goal with :01.2 left for the Blues, but too little too late.

Notable Mentions:  The Blackhawks had 2 SOG in the 1st period.  They would end the game with 29.  Corey Crawford became the Blackhawks All-Time Winingest Goalie gathering his 46 career playoff victory.  Patrick Kane had two assists tonight putting him 3rd All-Time on the Blackhawks Playoff Assist List, passing Bobby Hull with his 67th and 68th assist as a Blackhawk.  Jonathan Toews took 29 of the total 56 faceoffs tonight for the Blackhawks, winning 66% of them, including Keith's goal.



Three Stars Of The Game
1st - CHI - Corey Crawford ~ 29 Saves, .935 SV%
2nd - STL - Vladimir Tarasenko ~ 1G, 4 shots
3rd - CHI - Patrick Kane ~ 2A, 4 shots

Next Game: Sunday, April 17th, Home Vs. St. Louis Blues, 2PM CT

LET'S GO HAWKS!!!