Sports

Chicago Blackhawks hope playoff victory over Minnesota Wild is just the beginning

Associated Press
Published | Updated

Chicago Blackhawks right wing Marian Hossa celebrates his second goal of the game as the Blackhawks defeated the Minnesota Wild 5-1 in Game 5 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series in Chicago, Thursday, May 9, 2013. (AP Photo/Daily Herald, George LeClaire) (The Associated Press)

Chicago Blackhawks goalie Corey Crawford, right, celebrates with Jonathan Toews after the Blackhawks defeated the Minnesota Wild 5-1 in Game 5 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series in Chicago, Thursday, May 9, 2013. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh) (The Associated Press)

The Chicago Blackhawks found another gear following their first playoff loss, and coach Joel Quenneville is looking for more.

The Blackhawks closed out the Minnesota Wild with a 5-1 victory in Game 5 on Thursday night. They won the series 4-1 and dominated the final two games of the series, outscoring Minnesota 8-1 after the Wild's 3-2 overtime victory on Sunday.

Chicago advanced in the NHL playoffs for the first time since it won the Stanley Cup in 2010, and it's hoping for a similar result this year.

Quenneville says he thinks the Blackhawks have to play better than they did against the Wild. He says: "I'm not doing cartwheels the last two games."