Blackhawks Vs. Canucks, Game 7: Burrows Wins It In OT As Vancouver Finally Eliminates Chicago

The first goal came early. Vancouver was able to get a rush ahead while the Blackhawks were on a bad change, especially with their defense. Ryan Kesler was left alone to feed it in front to Alex Burrows. He easily beat Corey Crawford, who was without a chance on the play, to make it 1-0. It was Burrows’ second goal of the series, and Kesler’s (who’s yet to deposit one in the Conference Quarters) fourth assist at 2:43. The Blackhawks were able to slow it down a little bit from there, but the first goal is always massive in a Game 7.

In a myth-making performance, Corey Crawford may have shone brightest in the third. Alex Burrows found himself behind the defense early in the period. Duncan Keith had to haul him down and force a penalty shot. Burrows broke in, went low blocker, but got stopped by Crawford’s pad. 21 seconds into the third period, it may have been what saved the Blackhawks’ playoff lives.

From there, Crawford was even more ridiculous. A goal line stand on three Vancouver tries, followed by a gravity-defying glove save on Ryan Kesler mid-way through the period kept it alive still. Save after save after save, Crawford may have made his name tonight in front of what is likely one of the largest first round playoff television audiences ever. He’s made 34 saves so far, and they’re all huge.

After a hard-fought third period, Duncan Keith had to hook at Burrows again, hurting his chances on a 2-on-0 that ended up fizzling anyway. The Blackhawks, of all the unlikely things, chose this chance to finally strike. Marian Hossa and Johnathan Toews came up 2-on-2. Toews found Hossa with an open angle. Luongo stopped the first shot, and then Toews, being pushed to the ice, somehow got a shot off and put it past Luongo to tie the game. If Jonathan Toews ever makes the Hockey Hall of Fame, you will see that goal every night for years. At 18:04 of the period, Toews struck for the first time in the series.

In overtime, Alex Burrows had a chance to be the goat early, taking an offensive zone hooking penalty. The Canucks killed it off though, and soon after, Burrows would redeem himself. Burrows stole a Chris Campoli clearing attempt, skated towards the slot, and ripped a snapper, glove side past Crawford, who had no chance. The Canucks win it, 2-1, and finally exorcise the Chicago curse in an unreal Game 7.