Frolik, Sharp Dominate the Wild, Hawks Win 5-2

By Kelsie Plesac

Michael Frolik and Patrick Sharp tallied 2 goals apiece in the Blackhawks, Wild Western Conference Quarterfinal matchup on Friday night at the United Center. The Blackhawks defeated the Wild 5-2 and went up two games to none on the series.

After a slow start in game one on Tuesday for the Hawks, their first period play tonight was anything but. At the 8:34 mark Michael Frolik tallied his first goal of the 2013 playoffs and his 5th career playoff goal. Andrew Shaw and Nick Leddy were credited with assists. The Blackhawks also outshot the Wild 17-7 in the first period.

The second period began with a high-sticking penalty from Hawks captain, Jonathan Toews. However, at 0:49 Michael Frolik registered a shorthanded goal, his second goal of the night and his 6th career playoff goal in 13 career playoff games. The Wild would cut the lead in half before the third with Devin Setoguchi tallying his 15th career playoff goal at 17:57.

At 3:44 in the third period, however, Patrick Sharp increased the lead back to two goals with his first goal of this year’s playoffs and the 24th playoff goal of his career. The goal was assisted by Patrick Kane and Michal Handzus. Sharp would also tally his second goal of the night in the third at 14:08. A little more than two minutes later Marco Scandella added to the Wild score, tallying his 1st goal of the quarterfinal. However, Bryan Bickell would put the game away with an empty-netter with ten seconds remaining. The goal was Bickell’s 2nd of the series and 6th career playoff goal.

Blackhawk goalie Corey Crawford made 26 saves in the game. The Blackhawks will travel to S. Paul for a game three matchup on Sunday afternoon.