Sweet Home Chicago

So, about that home ice advantage thing I mentioned earlier in the Blackhawks-Flames matchup? I think there is something to that, way more than any of the other seven first round series. Why? Well, much of it has to do with the youth that the Hawks have on their roster; they must have more confidence and be more comfortable playing in front of the NHL's biggest fan base (they did lead the league in attendance this year).

After struggling through Games 3 and 4 in Calgary, the Windy City Kids took it to the Flames from the start in Game 5 last night. They were faster, more physical, had better goalie play, better defense, and anything else you can think of in a hockey game.

The 5-1 victory puts Chicago a win away from the Western Conference semifinals. They have three solid wins in Chicago and two bad losses north of the border. In the first four games, the team to score first was the loser in the end. Not last night, as Chicago continued to pile on the pressure and eventually knock out Flames goalie Miikka Kiprusoff.

Now, the issue of winning in Calgary remains unsolved. The Pengrowth Saddledome is a sea of red just as the United Center is, but the similarities in color is the closest the Hawks have looked to being comfortable there.

Game 5 is Monday night, and the Hawks would love to close out Calgary right then and there. If they do not, they should be confident in front of the UC crowd for Game 7. Yet, how long can that pattern continue?