BIG MOMENTS - May 2, 2009: CHI @ VAN

The plays that turn the tide in every game of playoff action -- that is what the beauty of hockey history is built on.

Check back every night following all the 2009 playoff action to witness NHL.com's game-changing moment from each game, as well as the rest of each game's goals, saves and hits.

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Thanks to all who voted -- and enjoy the 2009 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs!

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Chicago at Vancouver - Game 2

A) With just under 11 minutes to go in the second period and the Hawks dominating play despite trailing 2-0, Vancouver goaltender Roberto Luongo came up big.

The Canucks had just killed off Chicago's third power play of the game, but the Blackhawks continued their pressure. Luongo made a kick save on a soft shot from the top of the circle, but he allowed a long rebound. Chicago forward Ben Eager jumped on it immediately and fired a shot. Luongo desperately dove and made an unbelievable stick save.

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B) Feeling the pressure of Chicago's hard forechecking, the Canucks fell victim to the penalty bug in the second period. Already down one man, Willie Mitchell inadvertently shot the puck over the glass at the 12-minute mark, giving the Hawks a crucial five-on-three power play.

With the two-man advantage, Chicago defenseman Brent Seabrook found Patrick Sharp open at the point. Sharp one-timed a slap shot from the top of the left circle over the shoulder of Roberto Luongo. Sharp's second goal of the game tied the score at 2-2 and shifted all the momentum back to the Blackhawks.

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C) After being untested for several minutes during the second period, Nikolai Khabibulin was forced to come up with a huge save with under six minutes to go in the frame.

With a loose puck near the Chicago blue line, Steve Bernier flew down the ice and beat both Blackhawks defenders to the puck. He skated in all alone at full speed and deked to his backhand, but Khabibulin stood strong and forced the puck wide and into the corner, holding the score at two apiece.

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D) After surrendering two goals and letting their lead slip away, the Canucks were looking to regain momentum while on the power play, but the Blackhawks had other thoughts.

While shorthanded, Duncan Keith flipped the puck down ice from his own zone. Out of nowhere, Dave Bolland grabbed it out of mid-air at the Vancouver blue line. Bolland walked in all alone on Roberto Luongo and faked backhand, deked to his forehand and slid the puck under Luongo's arm and into the back of the net.

Bolland's goal with 3:10 left in the second period gave the Blackhawks their first lead of the series, a lead they would never look back on in Game 2.

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E) After falling behind 2-0 in the first period, the Blackhawks rallied to take a 3-2 lead heading into the third period. Early on in the third, Ben Eager delivered the dagger into the Canucks.

Adam Burish carried the puck into Vancouver territory. While holding off a defender, Burish threw a one-handed pass to Ben Eager in front of the net. Eager banged the puck past Luongo to give Chicago the all-important two-goal lead 2:13 into the third period of Game 2.


FINAL SCORE:  Blackhawks 6, Canucks 3

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