DODGED A BULLET: Blackhawks 6, Flyers 5
This game was there for the Flyers to steal.The Chicago Blackhawks decided to remind everyone how bad the 2006-07 team was by playing like them for two periods before righting their ship and pulling out the victory, winning 6-5 in Game One of the 2010 Stanley Cup Finals in the United Center.
Let's get to this:
THE GOOD:
Troy Brouwer. While the focus was on Dustin Byfuglien being the prototype Power Forward, Brouwer continued his fine play from the Western Conference Finals, scoring two goals and adding an assist. Huge game from a guy who has been doing pretty thankless work lately.
Tomas Kopecky. After being a healthy scratch since Brouwer got to visit his dad in Vancouver (at which time Brouwer got mentally back into the game), Kopecky came up with the game winner after playing outstanding hockey, setting up a nice goal by Kris VERSTEEG! Can't see him leaving the lineup any time soon.
Michael Leighton. Antti Niemi had, by far, his worst game since Game 1 against Vancouver. Fortunately, Leighton was worse, allowing 5 goals on 20 shots. On a night when Niemi needed someone to pick him up, it wound up being Leighton.
THE BAD:
The officiating. They missed several penalties, threw Brian Campbell into the box for a Niklas Hjalmarsson high stick, gave Adam Burish 2 minutes for what should have been a 5 minute boarding, The disparity in penalties were 4 for the Hawks, 0 for the Flyers. However, rather than it being a case of the Flyers playing a clean game, as the Sharks did in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals, it was a case of the officials just missing things. Twice Brent Seabrook went back to the bench bloodied, with nothing called. By the end of the game, the Flyers were just grabbing Hawks' sweaters, knowing nothing was getting called.
THE UGLY:
The Hawks for 40 minutes. They turned the puck over, took bad penalties, got shaky goaltending, and pretty much just looked like they had no business in the Playoffs, let alone the Stanley Cup Finals. The Flyers went into the locker room after these 40 minutes tied 5-5. If Leighton had held up, they would have had a lead, and probably would have won this game.
Fortunately for the Hawks, they played an absolutely abysmal game, and still managed to salvage the win. Which means the onus is now on the Flyers to win 4 out of 6 games, where they can't count on the Hawks playing like the Oilers. The last 20 minutes the Hawks played like the Hawks, and the Flyers were never able to get any offensive rhythm going. That can't bode well for them going forward.
Game 2 is Monday night in the United Center. See you in the Shoutbox.
Also, tomorrow night we're having Broad Street Hockey on our Puckcast. Expect analysis and trash talk.
Posted by Forklift at 5/29/2010 10:55 PM 
Categories: Chicago Blackhawks, Game Recap, 2010 Stanley Cup Finals, Philadelphia Flyers
Tags: Chicago Blackhawks 2010 Stanley Cup Playoffs Philadelphia Flyers BONERTIME!
Categories: Chicago Blackhawks, Game Recap, 2010 Stanley Cup Finals, Philadelphia Flyers
Tags: Chicago Blackhawks 2010 Stanley Cup Playoffs Philadelphia Flyers BONERTIME!
So it takes 1 game for you guys to call out refs? (Not that you aren't right to, but I could go link to comments from my posts on last year's finals...)
Welcome to the Stanley Cup Finals, where the officiating is inconsistent at best and ridiculously lenient at worst. Last year Zetterberg was covering pucks on the ice in the crease knowing refs wouldn't hand out a penalty shot. If the Blackhawks get back to the toughness and indifference to possible penalties they had in the Vancofuck series, they'll be fine.
And even get a few calls.
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As one of the dwindling crop of Black Hawks loyalists alive when they last won the Cup, I approve the result of tonight's sloppy slugfest.
Just win, baby.
PS the Nieminator was good when it counted most.
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1 game? This is the SECOND game now where no apparent penalty has been called against a team playing the Hawks.
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Italian beefs are WAY better than cheese steaks. Don't make any deals.
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You said it, Vito.
PS the first two periods being proof of the equation, "6 day layoff=pond hockey", the 3rd period demonstrated that when the Hawks play their game, they can beat the Flyers.
Hopefully Laviolette's confidence in Leighton is shattered and he agonizes over who to start on Monday; and hopefully that the same seed of doubt is planted in his team.
As it should be.
Oh, and hate the Flyers. Just enough.
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hey Dave, I'm Vito thats Vinny the other paisano and yes Italian beef is better.
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Ti prego, signore, scusi....tutto a posto!
Forza Blackhawks! Avanti!
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WOW Dave, Must be alot of Italians in Ottawa. Did'nt know that i know Montreal and Toronto do. I have relatives in both cities, and don't forget FORZA ITALIA!! but first FOORRZZAA BLACKHAWKS!!!!!!!!!
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Dave Morris, Renaissance Man. The 4th line should be singled out for their ineptitude tonight. Two stupid penalites by Burish and Eager (and Burish was lucky not to be assessed a major) is two too many for the minutes these guys are going to play. If Andrew Ladd is ready for game 2, I think either Burish or Eager will sit. No way you can put Kopecky on the bench after the way he played last night.
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Coach CT...that's "Signore" to you.
Da Vinci was a Renaissance Man. I'm just a humble Hawkey guy.
Oh, and count on the thugs from Philadelphia, led by Mike "Rip Your Head Off" Richards, to play even dirtier than usual on Monday.
What's the over/under on Carcillo dressing?
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Already giddy about going to Game 2.
Biggest game of the series...it's going to be tough for this team to win in Philly.
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