Hawks advance: Blackhawks 5, Vancouver 1

The Hawks went into Tuesday night's game with, as the team's slogan says, "ONE GOAL." That goal was to end their quarterfinal series with the Vancouver Canucks in an intense series that shifted momentum multiple times. Not only did they win, they made a statement.

The San Jose Sharks, who finished off Detroit last Sunday, the Red Wings making only a wimper, are the favorite to advance to the finals, and the Blackhawks' loss in Chicago on Sunday, a game that was watched closely, made it look even more that way.

Boy, did they change that. The Hawks scored five goals in their Tuesday night clinching of the series, despite Vancouver goalie Roberto Luongo's stellar night, and Antii Niemi held Vancouver to only one goal for the first time this series.

The win means the Blackhawks advance to play San Jose, in a series that will start either Friday or Sunday. San Jose will be a tough opponent, but the Hawks have proven themselves so far, and hopefully they can play with the dominance that they played with on Tuesday night. The first game of the semifinal will take place in Northern California, as the Sharks beat the Hawks to home-ice advantage by one game. I look forward to watching the series and continuing to participate in the excitement that the Blackhawks have created.

GO HAWKS!!!