The Manchise Crystal Ball

We’re about 6 hours away from the opening face off of Game 4 and the anticipation is building up like Chicago’s hatred for Chris Pronger. What will we see tonight? Will the Hawks closed door talks with the NHL result in some power plays or will we be forced to start seriously contemplating whether or not the NHL Finals truly are rigged to go more than 5 games? I’m not big on conspiracy but if the officiating carries over from Games 1-3 I will have no choice but to begin wondering. Bill McCreary said Monday night was “A man’s game.” It’s too bad him and his crew weren’t “man” enough to draw the line and raise their arm when it was appropriate to make a call.

When I look into my crystal ball I see 5 possible scenarios that could play out tonight. After assessing each one I will leave you with my prediction for Game 4:
1. Keep the status quo: Maybe absolutely nothing changes going into Game 4. Flyers play dirty, the referees don’t hold them accountable, and the Hawks find themselves on the short end of another one goal game. But then again maybe the Hawks rise up to overcome the adversity (as they were one shot away from doing in Game 3) and head back to Chicago with a chance to clinch the Cup. I’d have to say each is equally likely. Advantage: Push

2. Whistles that work: Maybe the officiating forces Game 4 to have a little more structure causing it to look like a hockey game we are accustomed to seeing. If that’s the case we will see more 4 on 4 hockey if not power plays for the Hawks. I like the looks of that. The Hawks have already emerged victorious twice in this series without any help from the refs. Neutralizing that huge advantage Philly has right now in the “dirty play” category has to bode well for our boys. Advantage: Hawks

3. Hawks get nasty: Perhaps the Flyers and the officials stand pat while the Hawks stoop down to their level resulting in an all out gutter war. Very few penalties, a lot of cross checks and slashes left unaccounted for, debatably the most entertaining of my 5 predictions to watch. Even though I would love to see an old school Colorado/Detroit grudge match unfold before my eyes I have to say it’s not in the Hawks best interest. It’s hard to out-nasty a team that single handedly forced the NHL to change its rules only a few decades ago. Advantage: Flyers

4. Hawks Soar: Maybe the Hawks come out and do whatever it takes to win regardless of the style of play. I have said numerous times that these Hawks are the most resilient Chicago sports franchise I have ever seen. Maybe they make me look like a genius by adapting to whatever combination of play Philly and the refs bring and soar to victory. Advantage: Hawks

5. Worst-case scenario: This last vision I am having has the potential to ruin every Hawks fans entire weekend. What if the Hawks come out as nasty as one of Michael Vicks dogs while the Flyers ease up in anticipation of a more tightly officiated game. What if the Flyers guess right and the men in stripes come out raising their arms like a 5th grader in sex-ed class. This would be bad. Imagine how Games 1-3 would have ended up for Philly fans if the officials blew the whistle every time us Hawks fans thought it was appropriate. It would be 3-0 Hawks with a goal differential of 15 favoring Chicago. Let’s pray this isn’t the case. Advantage: Flyers

Well isn’t that funny? 2 for the Flyers, 2 for the Hawks, and 1 push. As I’ve said about 37 times while covering this series I guess there’s no prediction to be made. Buckle up, remain seated, turn off your cell phone, and enjoy the ride. Regardless of what happens tonight this plane will be landing back in Chicago in the near future. Hopefully the NHL will be forced to bring the Stanley Cup to the United Center Sunday because of the possibility that the Hawks can close out Philly.