[jg2977]

NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE – SEPTEMBER 23, 2002
GOLDEN KNIGHTS 12, BLACKHAWKS 9
Game 2 – Western Conference Semifinals
By Jim Kaat

Well folks, if you like offense, this one had it in spades. On a cool night in Chicago — 53 degrees, light wind blowing in — the bats were red-hot anyway. We saw 21 runs, 22 hits, and a whole lot of crooked numbers on the board before Vegas walked away with a 12-9 victory over the Blackhawks, taking a 2-0 series lead.

Let me tell you, this was one of those games where you’re reminded just how important pitching and defense still are — and how quickly a ballgame can spiral if you don’t have either one working.

Big Inning Blows the Doors Off Early
The Blackhawks jumped out in front early with a pair in the bottom of the first — Nick Foligno got them started with a two-run homer, and he wasn’t done. But the top of the second? Oh, boy.

Vegas dropped a seven-spot on Chicago starter I. Salgado, who just didn’t have it tonight. A leadoff double, a walk, another walk, and then... Franck Huurman. A grand slam. And if you’re looking for a game-defining moment, that’s it right there. One swing, four runs, and the Golden Knights never looked back.

And that wasn’t even the end of it — two batters later, Ivan Barbashev launched a three-run shot of his own. Just like that, Vegas was up 7-2. You can’t spot a lineup like this that kind of lead and expect to win.

Foligno, Barbashev Trade Blows
Now I’ve played in a lot of ballgames where one guy takes over, and for Chicago, that guy was Nick Foligno. Two homers. A triple. Four RBIs. Three runs scored. He did everything you could ask for — and frankly, deserved better.

But Barbashev matched him punch for punch: 3-for-5, a homer, a triple, a double, four RBIs. That’s what we used to call hitting for extra-base dinner — skip the salad, go straight for the meat and potatoes.

Vegas: Opportunistic and Balanced
Look at the Vegas box score — 10 hits, 12 runs. That tells you all you need to know. They didn’t waste their chances. Five walks, efficient situational hitting, and three double plays on defense. That’s what wins you games in October... or, well, late September.

And how about B. Tiller? Two solo shots, a clean game at second base, and a guy who just keeps putting good swings on the ball. You need glue guys like that.

The Bullpens, the Good and the Not-So-Good
Let’s be honest — S. Montez for Vegas didn’t exactly dazzle. Three innings, seven hits, five runs, and a couple of souvenirs for the cheap seats. But give credit to F. Brault, who came in and gave the Knights five strong innings in relief. That’s not glamorous work, but it’s how playoff games get saved.

On the other side? Chicago’s bullpen couldn’t stop the bleeding. Salgado got chased in the second, and the next four relievers all gave up at least a run. V. Sanchez gave up a two-run homer to Golfin in the sixth, and by then, it felt like Chicago was chasing ghosts.

The Bottom Line
At the end of the day, it’s pretty simple: Vegas cashed in, and Chicago didn’t.

You can hit as many solo homers as you want — and the Blackhawks hit four of 'em — but if you can’t stop the other guys from scoring in bunches, you’re not gonna win.

They’ll head back to Vegas now for Game 3 on Wednesday. And let me tell ya — with the crowd in T-Mobile Arena behind them and a 2-0 cushion, the Golden Knights are gonna be a tough out.

But hey, baseball’s a funny game. You get one good start, maybe a timely double play, and suddenly the series swings the other way. That’s why we play the games.

Player of the Game: Nick Foligno (CHI)
Player of the Series So Far: Ivan Barbashev (VGK)
Time of Game: 3:53
Attendance: 41,038
Next Up: Game 3 – Wednesday, T-Mobile Arena, Vegas

Stay sharp, folks.