Blackhawks eliminated in doozy of a series with Blues
Game 7 lives up to hype
The St. Louis Blues might be the ones advancing to the second round, but it's hockey fans everywhere that came out on top after the teams delivered an intense Game 7.
The two heavyweights went toe-to-toe and left it all on the ice. After the Blues came out to an early 2-0 lead, the Blackhawks stormed back to keep things tied at two for a game that looked bound to go to overtime.
But it was the Blues' Troy Brouwer that managed to score the game-winning goal – though it almost didn't go.
3rd times the charm <a href="https://t.co/XYGBJ5huuA">https://t.co/XYGBJ5huuA</a>
—@barstoolsportsBrouwer: "That was the ugliest goal I've ever scored. Also probably the most timely." <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/stlblues?src=hash">#stlblues</a>
—@StLouisBluesThe Blackhawks had a close call of their own in the third, though luck didn't seem to be on their side as the puck went off not just one but both posts before bouncing away from the net. Even the referees had to take a minute to double check that yes, it really did just happen.
both posts and out <a href="https://t.co/t3fCFFDHXG">pic.twitter.com/t3fCFFDHXG</a>
—@myregularfaceSick to my stomach over that double post tho. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Blackhawks?src=hash">#Blackhawks</a>
—@JenLadaThe Blues' win means that for the first time in the NHL expansion era (that's since 1967/68) not a single Original Six or Canadian team has advanced past the first round of the playoffs. It's also the first time since 2012 that neither the Los Angeles Kings nor the Blackhawks will be Stanley Cup champions.
None of the Original 6 are left in the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/StanleyCupPlayoffs?src=hash">#StanleyCupPlayoffs</a> <a href="https://t.co/inJBTCm4hh">pic.twitter.com/inJBTCm4hh</a>
—@RAZ6neDefending champion Blackhawks are out. Kings are out. Bruins didn't make it. Most recent Stanley Cup winner still alive? Penguins (2009)
—@PLeonardNYDNThough it remains to be seen whether the Blackhawks might encourage their fans to cheer on the Blues in the next round like the Kings did for the Capitals, the mutual respect between the two teams after seven intense games of hockey was noticed by fans.
Wow. The mutual respect between <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/STLBlues?src=hash">#STLBlues</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Blackhawks?src=hash">#Blackhawks</a> was palpable in that handshake line. That's the best sports can be, right there.
—@Aportzlinethe goaltenders <a href="https://t.co/npqfvb82nT">pic.twitter.com/npqfvb82nT</a>
—@myregularfaceTarasenko and Panarin <a href="https://t.co/eF013gVR1H">pic.twitter.com/eF013gVR1H</a>
—@myregularfaceThe Blues will now look to a second round match-up with the Dallas Stars, a feat that had been a long time coming for the franchise.
It had been 1,465 days since the St Louis Blues had advanced past the 1st round in the Playoffs. (4 years; 4 days & a leap year).
—@STLBlueshistoryAnd the Blackhawks, well...
The Chicago Blackhawks have updated their team logo <a href="https://t.co/Ehnbumnf5r">pic.twitter.com/Ehnbumnf5r</a>
—@GoalieWays