A Decade of Winning: A Look Back At The Top Ten Moments of This Historical Run
With last night’s loss to the Colorado Avalanche, the Chicago Blackhawks were officially eliminated from playoff contention for the first time since the 2007–08 NHL season.
This is definitely a dissapoiting time for the Blackhawks, with the end of a 9 season postseason streak, including three Stanley Cup victories, being something all fans will have on their mind until the 2018–19 season kicks off in October.
Whether this is the end for the Blackhawks, or just a speed bump in the road, remains to be seen, but we cannot forget all the success this team has had over the past decade.
While the Blackhawks finish out this season and prepare for an important offseason, we take a look back at the top ten moments of the Blackhawks historical run.
Note: Obviously the three Stanley Cup victories would be the top moments, but we are looking at the individual moments leading up to those championships.
10. Blackhawks Sign Marian Hossa
After going to back to back Stanley Cup finals, Marian Hossa hit free agency with one goal (no pun intended), to win a Stanley Cup. That led to Hossa signing a massive 12 year contract with the Blackhawks.
Hossa missed some time with an injury his debut season with the team, but put up 15 points in his first playoffs with the Hawks, helping lead them to their first Stanley Cup victory in 49 years.
Hossa became one of the faces of the Blackhawks franchise, and easily a top Chicago Blackhawk of all time.
9. I Love Shin Pads! Andrew Shaw Scores Game Winner in Third Overtime of Game 1 of the 2013 Stanley Cup Finals
In just another long playoff game for the Blackhawks, Andrew Shaw netted the game winner in the third overtime of the 2013 Stanley Cup Finals over the Boston Bruins.
A shot from Michal Rozsival was deflected by Andrew Shaw and into the net. Lucky for us, Shaw was mic’d up and delivered one of the best hockey quotes we have ever heard.
We now all love shin pads, but maybe not as much as Andrew Shaw does.
8. Duncan Keith Scores in Game 6 of 2015 Stanley Cup Finals
Up 3–2 in the Stanley Cup Finals, the Blackhawks had a chance to finish off the Tampa Bay Lightning and not only win the Stanley Cup, but their first on home ice since 1938.
In the second period, Duncan Keith scored for the Blackhawks, giving them a 1–0 lead with what would become the game winning goal of the Blackhawks third Stanley Cup in 6 years.
7. Patrick Kane’s hat trick leads Blackhawks to 2009 Western Conference Finals
With their first playoff appearance since 2002, the young Blackhawks were looking to go all the way.
In the second round, the Blackhawks battled with the Vancouver Canucks in a tough series to move on to the Western Conference Finals. In game 6, Patrick Kane led the Blackhawks to a 7–5 victory with his three goals.
While the Blackhawks would lose in the next round, the Hawks showed the NHL that they were not messing around, and their Stanley Cup the following year backed that up.
6. Kimmo Timonen Finally Wins a Stanley Cup
One of the feel good moments of the 2015 playoffs, defenseman Kimmo Timonen finally won his Stanley Cup.
After aquiring the aging defenseman at the trade deadline, Timonen had one thing in mind in his final NHL season: Winning his first Stanley Cup.
After playing 16 seasons in the NHL, Timonen only had one opportunity to lift the Stanley Cup before 2015. The Blackhawks took down Timonen in the 2010 Stanley Cup, but made up for it by letting him be the second player to hoist the Cup in 2013.
Not many Blackhawks fans look back at Timonens short tenure with the team as a success, but this moment made even the toughest Blackhawks fans shed a smile.
5. Bryan Bickell Ties Game 6 of the 2013 Stanley Cup Finals
The first part of the legendary “17 seconds”, Bryan Bickell tied game 6 of the Stanley Cup finals.
Standing in front of the net, Bickell was able to knock the put past Tukka Rask and give the Blackhawks a chance to win game 6.
We all know what happened after that….
4. Brent Seabrook Wins Game 7 of the 2013 Western Conference Semifinals
After losing to the Detriot Red Wings in the 2009 Western Conference Finals, the team was looking to take them down this time in 2013. This was also the last time the team would face the Red Wings in a non Stanley Cup series as the team moved to the Eastern Conference following this season.
In overtime of game 7, Seabrook delivered a monster slap shot past goaltender Jimmy Howard, giving the Blackhawks the win and sending them to the Western Conference Finals.
3. Marian Hossa Scores Overtime Winner in Game 5 Vs Nashville
In arguably one of the most memorable goals in Blackhawks history, Marian Hossa delivered in the clutch, sending the Blackhawks back to Nashville wiht a 3–2 series lead.
After Hossa recived a 5 minute major for boarding, the Blackhawks went to the kill to finish out the third period. Somehow killing off the penalty, Hossa came out of the penalty box and went straight to the front of the net before scoring the game winning goal.
Hossa dropped to his knees as the United Center crowd went crazy, perhaps being the goal that started the Blackhawks dynasty.
2. Dave Bolland Scores Game 6 Winner and Completes “17 Seconds”
After Bickell tied the game with just over a minute left, the Blackhawks had new life. Everyone had overtime on their minds. Except Dave Bolland.
17 seconds after Bickell tied the game, Dave Bolland put the puck behind Rask to give the Blackhawks a 3–2 lead and the Stanley Cup victory.
Bolland threw his stick and gloves in the air, celebrating just like every fan who watched it happen.
Bolland may have been a little early with his celebration, but who can blame him?
- Patrick Kane Scores Cup Winning Goal In Overtime
In what will go down as the best goal in Blackhawks history, Patrick Kane obviously gets the top spot on this list.
In overtime of game 6 of the Stanley Cup Finals against the Philadelphia Flyers, Kane shot the puck from the the bottom of the faceoff circle, which looked like it was saved by goaltender Michael Leighton.
Except to Kane.
Kane skated down the ice, throwing his gloves in the air and celebrating, while even his teammates looked in confusion. After checking the replay, fans could see that the puck had indeed gone in, and the Blackhawks had won their first Stanley Cup in 49 years.
It is one of the most confusing goals fans will ever seen, and a moment Blackhawks and NHL fans will never forget.
What do you think of our list? Which moment is your favorite? Is there one that should be on the list? Let us know in the comments!
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