Mark Spector

Mark Spector is a columnist for sportsnet.ca

Henrik Sedin and Jonathan Toews battle along the boards in Game 1.

VANCOUVER - A colleague of mine, a playoff vagabond who has witnessed first-hand 10 different teams thus far in the National Hockey League playoffs, wound his way into Chicago for the weekend.

He wouldn't say it, for fear of sounding self-important, but after Game 1 at the United Center there was no raving at the skill and pace of play. No confirmation of what we believe to be true: That of all the second round series, the sum of the speed, skill and genuine Stanley Cup worthiness of these two teams surpasses that of any other Round 2 match-up.

Then they played Game 2.

The Canucks, as they have done on a remarkably consistent basis this spring, showed up with all they've got. And when Chicago checked into the series as well, sometime around the seven-minute mark of the first period, you could look down press row and see our boy's eyebrows arch.

"They're not playing hockey like this in the east," he tweeted. Because today we spend our down time in press boxes tweeting. Rather than, say, gazing intently as the Blackhawks ice girls shovel their way into our hearts.

The series we expected finally showed up Monday, as if there were no deliveries on the weekend. The Canucks had held up their end of the bargain in Game 1, but you can't have the "run" until "gun" checks in.

Until Chicago's game arrived, this was simply Clamato and vodka - no Worcester, no Tabasco, no spears of pickled asparagus and a blue cheese-stuffed olive.

"It does take a few games to feel out the team and see what they're all about. I think both teams now have a good feel about what the series is going to be about," Kris Versteeg said, moments after sniping the laser that capped a furious Game 2 finale for his team. "This game was a lot more emotional, a lot rougher than the (Game 1). It kind of felt dead the night before compared to tonight."

We are 120 minutes into this thing now. Six periods, of which we'll give Vancouver four, and the Blackhawks two.

Chicago has led for 90 seconds - no more, no less - yet that's enough for a 1-1 stake. Enough to see, now, what we've got here in this pairing of two teams who would supplant Detroit as the Western Conference champion.

It is obvious, for instance, that there are two entirely different personalities here.

One team takes after its mullet-wearing, bar-frequenting offensive sparkplug. It is a team that - like Patrick Kane - puts an Original Six town and 22,000 rabid fans on its back every game night, and figures, "Why not enjoy the ride?" Even on the off nights.

The other has the quiet Scandinavian intensity of its Swedish leaders, the dazzling Sedin twins. The Canucks have learned dogged resilience, and the art of bringing their 'A' game to the rink on an astonishingly consistent basis.

Despite the penalty-killing troubles, Vancouver broke the spirit of the young Los Angeles Kings in true teamster fashion - shift, after shift, after shift. The Kings' level periodically dipped, but like the Sedins, the Canucks' seldom wavered.

In goal, Chicago trots out Toni-0 - Antti Niemi - the Finnish shutout whiz who lets in all or none, and seldom anything in between.

Vancouver answers with Roberto Luongo, a seasoned, top-notch goaltender who has fought his own demons, surely, but seems now to have settled into a quiet, professional groove.

What we have here is Taylor Hall versus Tyler Seguin. The dynamic, highlight-reel Hawks versus the big, solid centreman that goes point for point with his flashy foe and takes home the trophy in the end.

One is the girl you'd invite for a weekend in Vegas. The other, marriage material.

After two games of it, we'd venture to say the Blackhawks white-hot, top-level game would win this series. But can these cocky kids keep the tachometer up near the red line long enough?

The Canucks have the goaltending, the experience, and the consistency that often wins in May and June.

Our friend, meanwhile, caught a ride to Detroit Tuesday morning to check in on the Sharks and Red Wings. He said he'll back in Chicago for Game 5.

I'll bet he can't wait.