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GAME 7:
Well, maybe not my heart. Just my nerves. TWANG, there goes another one!
Ridiculous Game 7 between the Blackhawks and the Blues, but in the end, it turned out that the Hawks could only climb out of so many two-down holes. Especially given all the silly mistakes and turnovers. Down 3-1 in the series, they fought back to even it up at 3. That included a Game 6 where they came from back 3-1 down to win 6-3. On Monday, they once again went behind, 2-0 this time and while they brought it back to 2-2, they couldn't quite find the third. This is how close they came.
Brent Seabrook shot gets the double post. pic.twitter.com/fX48SpUDT0
— ⓂarcusD (@_MarcusD_) April 26, 2016
That's next level trolling, especially after it was ex-Hawk Troy Brouwer who scored a scrappy winning goal for the Blues. And so, that was that. The defending champs were out.
And breathe. Handshakes. Hockey season over.
As usual, another key offseason awaits Chicago, as yet another balance between the core six (Toews, Kane, Keith, Seabs, Crow, and the HOSS) and the supporting cast must be found. The good news is that there are a few young talents who might develop into the next core. Panarin, TvR, Teravainen should only be getting better. Gustafsson made a huge error in Game 7 but he's got a bit of promise, too. I adore Shaw but we'll see what his situation ends up being as a RFA. Same goes for homeboy Pánik.
The dynasty shall continue:
2009-10: Won Stanley Cup
2010-11: eliminated in a Game 7
2011-12: eliminated in a Game 6
2012-13: Won Stanley Cup
2013-14: eliminated in a Game 7
2014-15: Won Stanley Cup
2015-16: eliminated in a Game 7
Sure, losing in the first round sucks, but this was a helluva series. I hope you watched; it might have just made a hockey fan out of you, if you did. Props to the Blues who are young (oh Tarasenko...) and dangerous and are set to compete for the next several years as well.
FOOTBALL (all times BST):
19.45: Champions League, semifinal, 1st leg: Manchester City vs. Real Madrid
19.45: Championship, 4th vs. 10th: Hull City vs. Brentford