Blackhawks One Game Away

Written by: EricC on 7th June 2010

15 games down…one to go…two chances (but hopefully the Chicago Blackhawks will only need one). It’s been a while in the making, but the Blackhawks are now only a single game away from the Cup, bringing their series against the Philadelphia Flyers to 3-2. This is the closest they’ve come to winning a Stanley Cup since 1971, when the Montreal Canadiens managed to take the championship in Game 7.

For only the second time in this series, the Blackhawks had the opening goal. 12 minutes into the game, Brent Seabrook took advantage of a Power Play opportunity, barely slipping it past the skate of the Flyer’s goalie. A little over three minutes later, Dave Bolland made it a two goal lead, bouncing a puck off the goalie’s skate. With under two minutes remaining in the first period, Kris Versteeg put the Hawks up 3-0 when he pounded in a long shot.

Philadelphia retaliated early in the second period, scoring in the opening 32 seconds. However, Patrick Kane answered right back less than three minutes later, snagging his ninth goal of the Post Season. Unfortunately, about a minute and a half later, Philly took back another goal, keeping the pressure on. In the final five minutes of the period, Dustin Byfuglien got his first goal of the series, making it 5-2.

Despite being down by three goals going into the third period, Philadelphia did not let up any. Six and a half minutes into the final period, they decreased the Hawks lead to only two goals. Many great shots and equally great saves left the game 5-3 until Patrick Sharp put in his 10th goal of the Post Season during the final four minutes. This late in the game, it would have appeared the game was over, but Philly kept the game intense with a fourth goal in the remaining two and a half minutes. Luckily, Big Buff put this game away with an Empty Netter only seconds after the Flyers pulled their goalie.

Despite giving up four goals, Antti Niemi was, once again, on fire! It’s truly amazing how calm this young goalie is between the pipes. Almost hard to believe that during the off season, he was just fighting for the back up goalie position. 23 saves earned Niemi his 15th Playoff win.

Game 6 will take place this Wednesday, May 9, at 7:00 P.M. CT. The Blackhawks will have a chance to grab the Cup out in Philadelphia, making it their first Stanley Cup Championship since 1961.