History Made: 11 Straight Wins Lead to First Cup Appearance in 19 Years

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James
May 22, 2022 (1:23)

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When you're hot, you're hot. The Chicago Blackhawks headed to the Stanley Cup Finals for the first time in 19 years on this date 30 years ago, with a 5-1 rout of the Edmonton Oilers in the Campbell Conference Finals, completing a four-game sweep.

Brian Noonan scored twice as the Blackhawks put the game away with four second-period goals to advance to a meeting with Wales Conference champion Pittsburgh in the Stanley Cup Finals.

The Hawks reached a mark unlike any in National Hockey League history with their 11th consecutive playoff win, breaking a record of 10 by the 1970 Boston Bruins, who captured the Stanley Cup.

Goaltender Ed Belfour was in goal for every victory in their run, which was also an NHL record in the postseason. Gerry Cheevers won all 10 with Boston 22 years ago.

The win was especially sweet for the Blackhawks as they completed a sweep of an Oilers team that had eliminated them from the postseason three times within the last ten years.

Rob Brown scored midway in the first period for Chicago. Early in the second, Jeremy Roenick notched the eventual winner and his 10th of the postseason during a 5-on-3 power play, assisted by Steve Larmer and Igor Kravchuk. Mike Hudson also scored for the Hawks who did all their scoring in the game's first 30 minutes.

Unfortunately, the magic would wear off in the Cup Final as Pittsburgh swept them 4-0 and eventually extended their postseason unbeaten mark to 14, a mark that still stands today. Chicago does own the longest postseason losing streak though with 16 straight losses from 1975-80.