Red Wings outlast Blackhawks to take 1-0 Western Conference Finals lead

Two Original Six teams meeting in the Western Conference Finals is a special occurrence. But when those two teams happen to be the Detroit Red Wings and the Chicago Blackhawks, consider it a bonus, especially since these bitter rivals have not met this late in the season since 1995.

Those at the game or at home watching could not have asked for a more physical, fast-paced game than what was offered as the Sunday matinee in Detroit. The Red Wings won 5-2, per the Detroit Free Press, taking a 1-0 lead in the battle -- er, series.

The visiting Hawks got on the board early with a backhanded goal by Adam Burish early in the first, but the Red Wings didn't wait long as Daniel Cleary tied it up 3 minutes later with a wrister.

The veteran-laden Wings proved to be too much, opening up the game with three unanswered goals in the third period punctuated by Henrik Zetterberg's empty-netter with under a minute to play.

Red Wings fans in Detroit Tweeted and rejoiced in their team's "dominating" performance:

1. 
   madcrayons Blackhawk DOWN! GO WINGS! #redwings 17 May 2009 from web
2. 
   Insanitiki Empty Net Goal! This GAME IS OVER!!!! WOOT! #redwings 17 May 2009 from TweetDeck
3. 
   zaldor Way to go Red Wings! They win game 1 of round 3 of Stanley Cup playoffs! 17 May 2009 from Twitterrific
4. 
   TomLeyden 7 Wins to Go: Red Wings take Game One of the Western Finals 5-2. Dan Cleary, Chris Osgood and Johan Franzen my three stars. 17 May 2009 from web
5. 
   iChilly REDWINGS DOMINATE the blackhawks!!! 17 May 2009 from TweetDeck

Those in Chicago were disappointed in their team's loss (as well the Cubs and White Sox), but have hope going forward. At least their Tweets said so:

1. 
   praying4ariot Ah well blackhawks played good...detroit was a little better...there are still more games it is best of 7 after all 17 May 2009 from txt
2. 
   MAmatz The blackhawks just broke my heart :( we are dead, so close. What is wrong with Chicago sports? 17 May 2009 from web
3. 
   MCapp22 Cubs, White Sox and Blackhawks all lost today. Not a good day for Chicago sports teams. : ( 17 May 2009 from web
4. 
   pinsuda Sad... #RedWings beat up the #BlackHawks with a final score of 5-2.. We'll just have to get them in the next game! 17 May 2009 from TweetDeck
5. 
   klyph oh well, it's only 1 game. Right, #blackhawks? Next game get some more offensive pressure, mmmkay? 17 May 2009 from TweetDeck

Blackhawks radio analyst Troy Murray (@muzz19) Tweeted his thoughts throughout the game from Joe Louis Arena.

1. 
   muzz19 At Joe Lewis! 17 May 2009 from txt
2. 
   muzz19 Players coming out for warm ups. . .lots of BHawk fans. 17 May 2009 from txt
3. 
   muzz19 Lets get ready to rumble!. . Game on! 17 May 2009 from txt
4. 
   muzz19 Good first 20 mins. . Burish line had lots of energy. Best line for Hawks! 17 May 2009 from txt
5. 
   muzz19 Khabby very good period. Too many mistakes in critical areas but only down by 1. 17 May 2009 from txt

Despite the loss, one Blackhawks fan (@stevewsop) had the opportunity to meet Blackhawks owner Rocky Wirtz, the man credited with building the storied franchise up again.

The series continues Tuesday night in Detroit at 7:30 EST. Buckle up!

Red Wings outlast Blackhawks to take 1-0 Western Conference Finals lead