One of the Stanley Cup storylines being run into the ground during the 2010 Finals revolves around the Chicago Blackhawks forward Marian Hossa, and the fact that he was on the last two Stanley Cup losers. On Memorial Day, Hossa himself took a big step towards laying that oft-repeated storyline to eternal rest.
By Paul M. Banks
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Hossa opened the game two scoring at 17:09 of the second period, breaking a streak of eight consecutive Stanley Cup Final games without a goal. Hossa did not score in all seven games of the 2009 Final as a member of the Detroit Red Wings vs. Pittsburgh and in Game 1 Saturday. His last Stanley Cup Final goal had come as a member of the Pittsburgh Penguins in Game 6 of the 2008 Final, a 3-2 loss to Detroit in the series-clinching game.
Hossa’s point total through the first two games of this series (1-2–3) matches his Final series total in 2009 with Detroit (0-3–3 in seven games). Hossa also ended an eight-game goal drought in the 2010 postseason; he had not scored since Game 3 against Vancouver in the Western Conference Semifinal series on May 5.
“Looked like it was the kind of game whoever scored first would have a big edge,” Hawks Coach Joel Quenneville said.
“Kind of different, just the opposite of the first game. But the pace was fast, it was competitive. Obviously, a very timely goal, and then Benny to come back with a big one right after, and you’re in a good spot right then,” the Q Stache said.
Hossa told the media how good it felt to get that mini-drought over. “It bugged me definitely, not going goals for me. Trying to create offense, either passing, but when I’m shooting the puck doesn’t want to get in. I try, like I said, I tried not to get frustrated, but it’s in your head, you know,” Hossa said.
“I was waiting for some, like I said, just garbage goal and hopefully now that our line keeps going offensively better and better.”
So with just two more wins, Hossa can finally put this “second place curse” to bed.
“I don’t like go away in the past, but in the same situation everybody knows how good things we’ve got going on right now winning both games at home. Right now going into their building it’s going to be really important how we start out Game 3,” Hossa said Monday night.