PUT AWAY THE BROOMS: Flyers 4, Blackhawks 3 (OT)
Nobody said this would be easy. Nobody with brains, anyway.The Philadelphia Flyers came up off the canvas tonight, winning in overtime 4-3 on a goal by Claude Giroux in Wachovia Center. The Hawks now hold a two games to one edge in the Stanley Cup Final.
Let's get to this:
THE GOOD:
Brent Sopel. Scored a huge goal late in the second period to tie the game. He also played his customary game, blocking 4 shots and played 22:25. Good to see him score the big goal, as he's been doing the scut work throughout the playoffs.
Niklas Hjalmarsson. Speaking of scut work, Hjammer blocked 5 shots and was +2 on the night. Yeoman effort from another guy who doesn't get his name mentioned a lot.
Ben Eager. An assist to go with his big goal on Monday, and all of the sudden he's becoming a real asset.
Patrick Kane. He got off the goal schneid tonight, and added an assist. You knew he wouldn't be off the scoresheet for much longer, and his breakaway goal was a sure thing pretty much from the time he crossed center ice.
THE BAD:
Dustin Byfuglien. He's back to being Bad Buff, taking two penalties, neither of which were very smart. His slash on Chris Pronger in the second period led to a Scott Hartnell power play goal.
Kris Versteeg. He was back to making some bad decisions tonight, trying to be too damn cute. This is big-boy time, not time for you to pretend the rink is your own damn video game.
Dave Bolland. He was looking absolutely lost in the defensive zone all night, and was on the ice for the replay goal that was waved off in overtime, as well as the one that counted. In fact, the no-goal was a Antti Niemi glove away from Bolland putting the puck in his own net.
THE UGLY:
The officiating. This marks the first time that a HOCKEENIGHT recap of a Blackhawks loss mentions the officiating. But it was brutal. In fact, Jim Joyce robbed Armando Galarraga of both a perfect game and a no-hitter, and he still didn't do the worst job of sports officiating tonight. Bill McCreary and Dan O'Halloran were absolutely abysmal, and it went both ways. As bad as their letting Chris Pronger pretty much commit any indiscretion he felt like committing was, the fact that Tomas Kopecky pushing a Flyer into Michael Leighton, pushing the Flyers' net off its moorings and giving Leighton 2 minutes for delay of game was just as bad. Doc Emrick was talking about how the officials for the Final were chosen on merit speaks more to just how bad the officials are league-wide if this is the best they can do.
So now the Hawks get at least one more home game. They go again Friday night, and if the Hawks win that one, the Stanley Cup will be in Chicago on Sunday. Let's hope it stays a while.
Posted by Forklift at 6/2/2010 10:14 PM 
Categories: Chicago Blackhawks, Philadelphia Flyers, 2010 Stanley Cup Finals
Tags: Chris Pronger Is A Douche Chicago Blackhawks Philadelphia Flyers 2010 Stanley Cup Finals
Categories: Chicago Blackhawks, Philadelphia Flyers, 2010 Stanley Cup Finals
Tags: Chris Pronger Is A Douche Chicago Blackhawks Philadelphia Flyers 2010 Stanley Cup Finals
special teams is killing the Hawks and Niemi was not himself tonight. the Hawks look tired by the third period. Is it the Flyers wearing them out?
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OK, here's my toonie's worth.
>The desperation factor--winning this game was going to be "almost not possible" for the Hawks given what was at stake, going into Philly, yadda yadda yadda.
>Chicago played very well right up until just after Kane's goal. You can't relax for a minute against PHI. Niemi can't always bail them out.
>Special teams--we all knew the Flyer PP was/is dangerous.
>Forecheck--as our good friend Al Cimaglia astutely observed, (also asking the question of Duncan Keith in the presser after the 2-1 win), Philadelphia has the strongest and most sustained forecheck of any opponent the Hawks have seen in the playoffs. Credit Laviolette with that strategy, and his team with the execution.
>Claude Giroux--this kid is not to be underestimated.
>Buff got the crap whacked out of him by Pronger, and took a retaliatory penalty. It happens all the time to young players against veterans.
PS I hope CT isn't too upset. It's really not his fault the Hawks lost.
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True, but the Hawks look terrible on special teams and thats not a good sign in the playoffs. I'm satisfied so far with Niemi. I'm not blaming him at all. I see the Hawks getting tired as the game goes on, is it credit to Flyers or Hawks past 2 series?
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Vito, IMO give credit to the Flyers for having an excellent PP unit and puck movement.
Right now, everything counts. All it takes is one lapse for a few seconds on one shift.
Guys like Laperriere did what they had to do last night.
Guys like Brouwer didn't. Can't make soft clearing attempts and get away with it.
Giroux's goal was the result of a less than perfect line change.
Tired? As Steve Shutt once said, "If you're tired in the playoffs, you shouldn't be playing in the NHL."
Hawks could have won this, but giving up a goal right after Kane's score was the difference.
The good news is, they have the series lead. Up to them to keep it.
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I can't wait for the articles in tommorrow's papers. How many DOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM! articles do you think we will see?
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special teams is killing the Hawks and Niemi was ok but not himself tonight. the Hawks look tired by the third period. Is it the Flyers wearing them out? I'm very worried about Buff. He sucks again. not giving any credit to Pronger. fuck 'em
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Here's an idea for one of those "History Will Be Made" commercials: show Buff's slash on Pronger and rewind it: "What if one of the referees had called one of the four cross-checks on Pronger before it led to Buff's slash?".
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The Cap'n also got away with a stick-to-the-face after a faceoff. It definitely went both ways.
The one plus is that there'll be 1 more hockey game, thus delaying the undivided disgust many of us will have with the Cubs for another 2 days, at least.
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Although the officiating is questionable, it's never to blame for wins or losses.
Dave Morris is always right. Only one team is playing with desperation. If the Hawks add that factor to their skill the ice will be tipped toward Leighton who wasn't even tested last night except for Kane's beauty.
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Jerry, if you're always right, and, I'm always right (which I'm not, but if you say I am, who am I to argue), where does that leave CT?
PS you're right. About what you said.
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I agree with everyone being right and about not knowing where CT stands.
One thing to consider, Clubber Lang destroyed Rocky, but after Rocky won the second fight, he didn't give Clubber a re-match. What a huge pussy.
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I'm standing over here in that little box between the benches with Pierre McGuire.
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Make sure you don't drop your pen and pad
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