...and this was playoff hockey tonight. Each team gave up a hardworking goal (Marian Hossa makes his annual appearance in the playoffs, Simon Gagne scores his 8th on the power play), and Ben Eager scores the game-winner for his first playoff goal.
Both goaltenders played well- the Eager goal was an unfortunate misplay on Michael Leighton's part, and it just beat him high and wide of his glove. This came 28 seconds after the first one, and proved to be the game-winner.
Hits were aplenty in this game... Chris Pronger and Dustin Byfuglien treated each other like pinatas, and Daniel Carcillo just about obliterated Jeff Carter with a hit intended for Tomas Kopecky.
Scanning the box score, it looks like Eager and Pronger each took a 10-minute misconduct at the end of the game. Game 3 goes back to Philadelphia, and the Flyers have their work cut out for them.
So far, Chicago's had the luckier bounces of a fairly even series... it will be interesting to see what the home crowd does for the Flyers.
Here's a link to the box score and recap. Have at it!
If you were told Ben Eager would have more points than Kane and Toews combined and the Hawks would hold a 2-0 lead in the series would you have believed it?
ReplyDeleteDid anybody else notice how much better the Hawks D played in game 2? It seemed like every replay of a Flyers goal on Saturday showed Hjalmarsson down & out or scrambling. On Monday he was clearing everything.
ReplyDelete"Chris Pronger and Dustin Byfuglien treated each other like pinatas"
ReplyDeleteI misread that at first and thought it said "pirates", which would have been awesome. In a Viking sort of way...
GO HAWKS!
The Blackhawks may be getting more lucky bounces so far (arguable), but the Flyers have the refs on their side so far. There are at *least* two blown non-calls that I can remember so far (high stick on Seabrook and tripping on Big Buff and another trip on whom I can't remember). The fact that one of the most penalized teams in the league gets ZERO penalties in Game 1 and one of the least penalized teams in the league gets called for 4 in Game 1... ridiculous.
ReplyDeleteThat the 'Hawks are overcoming the bad refs through 2 games so far is encouraging. If they decide to start calling things better, 'Hawks should end this in 5.
The 3rd Period on Monday night was worrisome though. The Flyers shut down the 'Hawks' puck possession game and their cycle play and ended up having possession in the 'Hawks' zone most of the period and outshot them by a wide margin.
Tonight though, things are pretty even, with both teams having surges in the other's zone. One bad penalty kill and lack of clearing the puck and 'Hawks are down 1-0. They need to kill this penalty to start the 2nd and then get back to their puck possession game and keep the pressure on Leighton. He's been iffy so far, as the 'Hawks have hit 2 posts. Eventually, they'll get some past him.
Go 'Hawks! Chelsea Dagger, babey.
And sure enough, TWO more blown calls. Missed the trip on Pronger here in the 2nd Period AND missed the head shot by Hartnell on Versteeg in the 2nd Period as well. No matter. We're still tied 2-2 despite the refs trying to give the game to the Flyers. I hope the 'Hawks come out and take it to them in the 3rd and put this one away and put a (Chelsea) dagger to the hearts of the Flyers' fans.
ReplyDeleteGeez... we dominate the OT period and then lose it on (1) missed wide open chance by Versteeg who airmails it (2) a bad line change and (3) great passing by the Flyers. Gotta regroup and come back and git 'em in Game 4.
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