It's Not How You Start, But How You Finish

If a hockey game ends after one period, the Chicago Blackhawks would be down 2-0 in the series instead of a pair of wins from their first playoff series victory since 1996.

In the first 20 minutes of play, the more experienced Calgary Flames have come out and taken it to the host Blackhawks. Calgary has had more shots, been faster to the puck, has been more physical, and has not let the exuberant United Center crowd get into the game.

Then the teams go to the locker room, and after what is probably a speech with some expletives from Coach Joel Quenneville, Chicago is a different team. They look a lot more like the explosive offense that was seen in the regular season. In Game 2, 20-year-old captain Jonathan Toews scored a much-needed power play goal early in the 2nd period to get the Hawks going. Patrick Sharp scored off a nifty pass to center by Patrick Kane, and then another Toews goal late in the 2nd gave the Hawks the lead for good.

All three goals were fueled by the speed and athleticism that the young Blackhawks possess. You can also give credit to goalie Nikolai Khabibulin, who has kept Chicago in the game before the offense starts to get going.

At some point, the Hawks need to be the aggressor in the first period, especially as the series switches to Calgary for Games 3 and 4.

Yet, it does show something in the young team that they are able to battle back in a postseason environment. Still, come Monday for Game 3, you hope they can start the same way they have finished. A win is a win, though, and hockey playoffs in Chicago is alive and well.