Blackhawks vs. Red Wings Final Score: Chicago Advances to Western Conference Finals After Controversial Finish

The Chicago Blackhawks never thought they’d be in a Game 7 against the Detroit Red Wings but that’s exactly where they found themselves on Wednesday night. After falling into a 3-1 series hole, the Blackhawks finally overcame a fierce attempt by the Red Wings to pull off the upset and pulled off the 2-1 overtime win.

The game wasn’t without controversy though, as the Chicago Blackhawks were robbed of a game winning goal in the third period when Niklas Hjalmarsson’s goal was disallowed due to a penalty that was called after the fact Brandan Saad was checked over the boards and slammed to the ice at the same time.

It’s generally understood that the officials blew the call worse than most calls have been blown in the postseason. It was an obvious goal but somehow the goal was waved off and disallowed which sent the game into overtime.

Replay shows that the whistle on the penalty may have been blown before Hjalmarsson’s goal but it was without a doubt a defining moment in the game as it deflated the United Center but it didn’t deflate the Hawks. Brent Seabrook fired home a laser to win the game in overtime and send Chicago to their first Conference Finals appearance since they won the Stanley Cup back in 2010.

Chicago now faces what should be a tightly contested battle with the Los Angeles Kings who themselves are coming off of a Game 7 win over San Jose on Tuesday night.

But the Blackhawks dug themselves out of a hole and prevailed when it looked like national faith in them was waning. They aren’t overwhelming favorites heading into their series against the Kings, but they’re in the Conference Finals which means they’re one step closer to returning the Cup to Chicago but will need to take it from the team who currently holds it if they want that dream to come true.