Canucks not happy with the officiating.

I have watched a lot of this series and the Canucks are finally paying for their mistakes in all three zones on the ice. I think the Blackhawk’s are the better team. During the last series Blues didn't cash in on the Canucks mistakes like the Blackhawk’s have. I don't think the Canucks can blame any of their loses on bad officiating or weak penalties. I do think that Detroit could make the case because they were screwed on a quick whistle that should have been a game tying goal.

Chicago has given us a glimpse of their very bright future, if they can get past the Canucks I think they have a very good chance of defeating who ever they play in the next round. The refs have been consistently bad during this year’s Stanley Cup playoffs. It doesn’t matter what series you are watching. The Hurricanes homer announcers were complaining about the Bruins and how they felt they were getting away with a lot of stick work and checking from behind calls.

Questionable officiating

The Canucks probably had reason to complain about the officiating in Game 5 Saturday night. There were a few questionable calls, including an extra two minutes called on Shane O’Brien after a scrap with Matt Walker.

The Blackhawks scored on that man advantage as Dustin Byfuglien converted his second goal of the game, squeezing in a Brian Campbell rebound between the legs of Vancouver goaltender Roberto Luongo.

After the game, O’Brien expressed some frustration with the call. He was originally tied up with Byfuglien, who skated away before an altercation. O’Brien says Walker then challenged him and they dropped the gloves, but the officials called the Canucks defenceman for an extra two minutes for roughing.

Vancouver also took two penalties late in the game. Defenceman Kevin Bieksa hit Patrick Sharp along the boards and high-sticked him in the process. That led to the winning goal by Dave Bolland, his fourth of the post-season.

“That’s happened to us three times in this series…what are you going to do.” said Luongo after the game.

The game was pretty much decided with Ryan Kesler’s final penalty of the game at 16:07. Kesler was called for holding Chicago defenceman Brian Campbell, who seemed to embellish. But Canucks coach Alain Vigneault said the “two penalties at the end of the game were deserved. We got in penalty trouble and they made us pay.”