CHICAGO, (CO) -- Phoenix proved to be to good for the overachiving Chicago Blackhawks as Phoenix sweeped Chicago from the playoffs. Chicago put up a good fight, but where never really close in the second round series against Phoenix. In game four the Hawks got a good amount of shots on Dwayne Roloson. But only 1 goal on 30 shots is not going to win you any games. And when the Coyotes offensive fire power has started to produce then it is even harder. The Coyotes had 39 shots on net and scored 5 goals on Dan Cloutier who made his first start in this years playoff. Sutter trying to jump start his team decided to start Dan Cloutier, and mix up the lines a bit from the earlier games. But nothing worked as the Coyotes cruised to a 4-0 victory in the series.
"It hurts to lose in four straight games. But if you ask me in a couple of days, then I will probably be proud over the way we handled this season and the playoffs." - Chicago's head coach Brian Sutter said."Nobody belived we would make it to the post-season, but we did and we took out the top seeded Colorado Avalanche. But I think we could have made it harder for Phoenix to advance to the third round. But it was like we where to happy with the fact that we had beaten Colorado."
But never the less the young Blackhawk team showed that they have the future for them, and these playoffs will serve as a vital experience for the future. Kyle Calder who had one of the better second half seasons in the league, lead the Hawks in points during both the regular season (57) and in the playoffs (10). Calder had 7 goals in the playoffs, 3 of them where gamewinners, continuing the trend from the regular season when 5 of his 23 goals where game winning goals. Also Marcus Nilson showed that he has some offensive skills. After a regular season with just 10 goals and 35 points, the versitile forward had 4 goals and 6 assists for 10 points in 10 playoff games. Nilson also ended the playoffs with a 6 point scoring streak. Brett McLean who was given the opportunity to play in between Nilson and Calder this post-season, also proved that he is better used as a offensive force then as a fourth line center. McLean finished third in scoring with 8 points in 10 games. Putting the new second line 1,2,3 in the Hawks scoring race.
"Our line just seamed to click. All three of us works hard on both ends of the ice, so nobody has to feel that he needs to play a more defensive or offensive style. We all work hard in the backcheck, and when we go on offense we aim for the corners. Nobody on this line is afraid to go and muck in the corners. Nor to stand infront of the goalie and take a beating." - Kyle Calder explains the success of the new second line.
Another player who had a solid second half and a good playoffs was defender Tom Preissing. After having trouble getting into the lineup during the first part of the season, the 26 year old defender ended up with 24 points in 63 games. In the playoffs, he did like Nilson and steped up to the challange scoring 7 points in 10 games. Leading the entire team in defensive points. Preissing also had a +2 rating and 21 hits in the post-season. His playoff where so good that he will probably not have to worrie much over his roster spot next season.
"It feels like I showed that I am cabable of being a regular OTHL player with this playoff. And it also feels like the coaches confidence in my has grown, and that is always nice. Its to bad that the season is over now, and we will have to step of the ice. But I think we should be proud over the this season, and the way we played in the playoff's. Taking out the number one seed was a nice feeling." - Tom Preissing said.
Now the Blackhawk players will step out on the golf course, while the managment start preparing for the draft and the upcoming UFA period. The Chicago front office will also have to negotiate new contracts with there 13 restricted free agents. Including Mark Bell and Kyle Calder, most likley the two top priorites. General Manager Mathias Vaigur also hopes that he can get top prospect Alexander Ovechkin signed and sealed in time for the upcoming season.
"We haven't talked to Ovechkin's agent since the draft. But we will get in touch with them pretty soon, and see how everything is and so forth. It would be the ideal situation to get him signed and ready to play next season. But first we will have to get to work with our RFA and then start looking at the draft." - GM Mathias Vaigur said.
Chicago had hopes for a high draft pick in this years entry draft, but thanks(?) to there success this season the Hawks will not pick until number 15.