Blackhawks’ Keenan Seized by the Moment : Stanley Cup: Chicago coach refutes reputation and relaxes--until Pittsburgh takes 2-0 lead.

The smile cracked through an exterior as cool as Michigan Avenue on a winter’s day.

Mike Keenan was enjoying life--finally.

After years of insecurity, of bruising battles with opposing teams and bruising the egos on his own team, the Chicago Blackhawks’ coach and general manager had scratched and clawed his way nearly to the top.

That was last Monday in a large conference room of a Pittsburgh hotel. In 24 hours, Keenan would send his Campbell Conference champions against the Pittsburgh Penguins in the Stanley Cup finals.

But for the moment, he was enjoying the glow of success and savoring the fight ahead. This was a kinder, gentler Mike Keenan.

Seated at the center of the head table, his players and front office personnel on either side halfway around the room, the dapper Keenan looked like the president of a corporation introducing his board of directors.

Nowhere in sight was the tyrant one might have expected, based on stories of the Mike Keenan who cracked the whip relentlessly, embarrassed even his biggest-name players by benching them when he thought they deserved it and had been known to change goalies the way most coaches change lines.

“I’m a better coach now,” Keenan said. “I’m more relaxed. I can’t believe how relaxed I am.

“This is a very tough, demanding business. It’s a matter of survival. You try to beat the odds. I always felt, in the early part of my career, that if I didn’t win the next game, I’d be out of a job. Now, if I’m out of a job, that’s the way it goes.”

There’s good reason Keenan felt that way.

He took over as head coach of the Philadelphia Flyers for the 1984-85 season, his first job in the NHL, and led the Flyers to the league’s best regular-season record and into the finals, where they lost to the Edmonton Oilers in five games.

Two years later, Keenan had the Flyers back in the finals, again against Edmonton. Philadelphia lost in seven games.

A year later, after four seasons in Philadelphia, Keenan was fired.

Why?

Too tough, said his critics. Too domineering, too demanding.

Those charges followed him to Chicago. But so has the success.

The Blackhawks had the best record in the NHL last season. But after reaching the conference finals in Keenan’s first two seasons on the job, they were ousted in the first round by the Minnesota North Stars, the team with the fewest victories among the 16 playoff clubs.

Playing aggressively but without discipline, Chicago lost the series in the penalty box.

This season, the Blackhawks failed to repeat as division champion, but, under Keenan’s more relaxed methods, found the proper balance between aggressiveness and discipline. They were tough, but controlled.

The result was the best defensive hockey in the playoffs, which carried Chicago into the finals on the crest of a league-record 11 consecutive postseason victories.

So, at 42, Keenan was back in the finals. There are rumors that he may give up coaching if he can finally win the Cup this time around.

“I’m enjoying it now,” he said. “You’ve got to seize the moment. It’s time to enjoy.”

That was Monday.

Then came:

--Tuesday. The Blackhawks lost the series opener, 5-4, blowing a 4-1 lead. Keenan’s smile lasted as long as the lead.

He was merciless in blasting his players.

“It was inexcusable,” Keenan said of Chicago’s collapse. “Jeremy Roenick didn’t play well. He wasn’t prepared. I hope he learns from his inexperience.”

Keenan also ripped his goalie, Ed Belfour, for surrendering the first of two goals scored by Mario Lemieux.

Keenan then conceded that he hadn’t actually seen the goal scored.

--Wednesday. Keenan was still angry over the game-winning goal, set up when Steve Smith was called for hooking Lemieux.

Keenan insisted that Lemieux had taken a dive.

“Mario is a protected player,” Keenan said. “They don’t call dives on him. He’s an embarrassment to himself, he’s an embarrassment to the game and he’s an embarrassment to the players he plays with. I’m disappointed Mario has to do that because he is such a great player.”

So much for the kindler, gentler Mike Keenan.

--Thursday. His club lost again in Game 2. Again furious at the play of Roenick, who had a personal-best 53 regular-season goals, Keenan benched Roenick and fellow forward Steve Larmer for most of the final two periods. Pittsburgh won, 3-1.

So now what?

After all the success, Keenan and the Blackhawks are facing almost sure elimination unless they can win Game 3 tonight at Chicago Stadium.

Chicago showed some offense in Game 1, but lost when its defense uncharacteristically collapsed.

Even though their defense snapped back, the Blackhawks lost Game 2 because their offense disappeared, producing only eight shots on goal in the final two periods.

Chicago should have some advantages tonight. The smaller rink in Chicago Stadium should help the Blackhawks’ tight, defensive style. The loud, supportive crowd should help their morale. And the advantage of having the last line change should help Keenan find a way to slow Lemieux.

But can he also stop Jaromir Jagr, Kevin Stevens and Ron Francis?

And can he find a way to get Roenick started? Or can Roenick be started? He wore a cast on his right forearm at practice Friday because of a thumb injury. Roenick said he planned to play in Game 3.

One thing seems certain. Forget that kindler, gentler nonsense. The old Mike Keenan is back, and he has his whip.