The West Final is Underway

The Conference Finals are officially underway in Detroit and the Red Wings/Blackhawks series opener had a little bit of everything for the enthusiastic hockey viewer. The game had more than it's fair share of goals (7), plenty of saves and even a near miss with a skate to the throat. Plenty of drama to open up the Western Conference series.

The Red Wings also opened up with a big win against the Hawks, winning 5-2, but hardly in the convincing fashion that the score would suggest. It was a 2-1 game for Detroit, heading into the third period, before the Hawks tied it up and then the Wings finally put their foot down to say that they'd take it for themselves.

I suppose when we all want to get down to it, let's talk pool points, shall we? The leader of the pack from Sunday afternoon was Johan Franzen, the most popular player among the top ten teams in the pool, as he had 3 points. Franzen had a goal and two assists, which helps him solidify himself as one of the best playoff players in recent history. Since everyone had Franzen, he didn't make everyone move up or down at all, rather it would have Chris Osgood, who registered the win for 2 points, that made some difference. Dale C. #2 & Mike E. both have him in the top ten in scoring and you could tell it made a difference, as they both moved up a spot in the pool. Henrik Zetterberg, taken by Paul & Trevor in the top 10, he had a goal and an assist as well, also making some noise in the pool as well for them.

Game-Winning Goal
Well, this flashing red light may get retired soon, since there is only one goal a night now for the rest of the playoffs. Game 1 of the West Finals did get a goal scored by a pool player, which makes the light worth while in the end. Scoring the third Red Wings goal on Sunday night was Mikael Samuelsson, his first GWG of the playoffs. That brought a smile to Steve W.'s face, who is the only team in the top 10 to have Samuelsson, so he'll be the only one claiming the bonus point among the money contenders. That was Steve's 9th GWG bonus point of the playoffs.