When was the last time the Hawks owned this town?

They haven't closed yet, but they have one hell of a bid in.

The Chicago Blackhawks took a 3 games to 2 lead over the Vancouver Canucks tonight with a ballsy 4-2 win in the GM Center in British Columbia.

There were thousands of crazed fans in the arena, and at least 100 good Hawks fans in Whirlaway, an excellent Hawks bar in Logan Square, and a favorite watering hole of our friends at Second City Hockey.

Let's get to it:

THE GOOD:

Did I mention Whirlaway? Great crowd, and more than a couple folks (most notably Gareth and The Hawk), were there on HOCKEENIGHT'S behalf. How nice is it to be a hockey fan in Chicago, and not have it be a dirty little secret? Pretty good beer selection, and nice big TVs. Plus, some dude rolled in with homemade sausage bread that was the tits and the tops. I can't recommend catching a Hawks game here enough. We even had an impromptu singing of the Beer Song after The Bohunk's empty-netter sealed the deal.

Dustin Byfuglien. All series long, he's done things that haven't shown up on the scoresheet. Tonight he did things that do, scoring the Hawks first two goals.

Matt Walker. No, your eyes aren't deceiving you. There was a scrum going on, with some punches getting thrown, and Jagoff O'Brien was cruising around looking to mix it up, he chose Walker. He chose poorly. Between the asswhipping Walker laid on Ed Jovanoski earlier this year and this, Ben Eager better watch his ass. This guy is hell on anyone who wears #55.

The huge balls on these guys. They are taking every shot, both clean and dirty, and not backing down. Of course, scoring 2 power play goals goes a long way toward keeping everyone's peckers in their pockets, but the Canucks keep acting as if they can intimidate the Hawks. Keep trying, and you'll be scaring the shit out of caddies come next week.

Brian Campbell and Patrick Kane. Of all the guys taking poundings out there, these two took the brunt. Then they went out, and Campbell assisted on both Byfuglien's goals, and Kane made a great keep-in play and pass to Dave Bolland for the winner.

THE BAD:

The officiating was pretty uneven. Andrew Ladd got cheapshotted into the crossbar, and somehow Vancouver gets a power play. Then, they give the Hawks a power play in the last 5 minutes on a pretty evident Campbell dive. If I were a Canuck fan, I'd be screaming bloody murder over that one.

THE UGLY:

Seriously, what's with these assholes and the hair pulling? Jesus Fucking Christ.

Game 6 is Monday night at the United Center. I'm guessing there may be a buzz going through the crowd.

The bid is in.

Close the fucking deal.

This town is the Hawks' for the taking.