A bizzarre looking Game Winner gives the Blackhawks the Stanley Cup

A bizarre looking goal early in OT by Patrick Kane just 4 minutes into the extra frame ended one of the longest Stanley Cup Droughts in league history as the Blackhawks are celebrating for the first time since 1961.

It was another close back-and-fourth game through 2 periods as the teams went scoreless for most of the first period before Dustin Byfuglien scored his 11th of the playoffs. Just as the Blackhawks were looking to have a 1-0 lead, the Flyers responded with Scott Hartnell who was off balance who got a shot from Daniel Briere to tie the game at 1-1.

A 3-2 Chicago lead was able to hold up and was almost enough for the Blackhawks to end up celebrating with the Cup until Scott Hartnell had his 8th of the playoffs and 2nd of the night to tie the game at 3-3. After that goal, Philly had stolen momentum and were looking to win early in OT.

But there hopes were dashed when Patrick Kane received a shot from Brian Campbell who scored one of the weirdest Championship Clincher goals ever as he was near the goal line, it barely went in, but it got stuck and was hard to see, if you look at the replay you will see that it went in and it got stuck in the net that in a position.

The Goal Judges had a hard time seeing and they was no lights or the horn didn't sound so people were confused for a moment until the refs agreed that it was a good goal and gave the Blackhawks their first Stanley Cup Championship since the early 60s.

This was one of the most amazing Stanley Cup Finals I have seen in a very long time with every game being very close. Lots of up-and-down action and one of the highest scoring Stanley Cup Finals since the early 80s, in all, we had 4 of the 6 games be one goal games with 2 heading to OT.

And even in Game 4 it would have been a one goal game before the Blackhawks made it 5-3 with the empty netter in the final seconds of the game. Also with the exception of Game 2 where the Blackhawks won 2-1, the winner had 4 or more goals in every game of this series so this shows the high scoring games we had.

In addition to winning the Stanley Cup, Chicago also won the scoring battle 23-22 but what hurt the Flyers was giving up the goals at the key times like the 3 goals in game 5 that lead to the 7-4 win and pulling Leighton at the end of the first period in Game 5.

Now that Chicago won their first Cup since 1961, the Maple Leafs now hold the longest Stanley Cup Drought as the Maple Leafs haven't won the Cup since the 1966-67 season. Don't expect this one to end any time soon as the Maple Leafs haven't made the playoffs since the Lockout and finished last in the Eastern Conference this season.


Final Stanley Cup Finals Update:

Game 1, 5/29: Philadelphia Flyers 5 Chicago Blackhawks 6 (3-2, 2-3, 0-1)
www.nhl.com/ice/gamecenter.htm?id=2009030411

Game 2, 5/31: Philadelphia Flyers 1 Chicago Blackhawks 2 (0-0, 0-2, 1-0)
www.nhl.com/ice/gamecenter.htm?id=2009030412

Game 3, 6/2: Chicago Blackhawks 3 Philadelphia Flyers 4 (OT) (0-1, 2-1, 1-1, 0-1)
www.nhl.com/ice/gamecenter.htm?id=2009030413

Game 4, 6/4: Chicago Blackhawks 3 Philadelphia Flyers 5 (1-3, 0-0, 2-2)
www.nhl.com/ice/gamecenter.htm?id=2009030414

Game 5, 6/6: Philadelphia Flyers 4 Chicago Blackhawks 7 (0-3, 2-2, 2-2)
www.nhl.com/ice/gamecenter.htm?id=2009030415

Game 6, 6/9: Chicago Blackhawks 4 Philadelphia Flyers 3 (OT) (1-1, 2-1, 0-1, 1-0)
www.nhl.com/ice/gamecenter.htm?id=2009030416


Final Playoff Stats Leaders

Chicago Blackhawks Scoring Leaders
Jonathan Toews: 22 GP 29 PTS (7G 22A, -1)
Patrick Kane: 22 GP 28 PTS (10G 18A, -2)
Patrick Sharp: 22 GP 22 PTS (11G 11A, +10)

Top Defensemen: Duncan Keith: 22 GP 17 PTS (2G 15A, +2)

Chicago Blackhawks Goaltending
Antti Nemi: 22 GP 16-6 2.63 GAA .910 SV%


Philadelphia Flyers Scoring Leaders
Danny Briere: 23 GP 30 PTS (12G 18A, +9)
Mike Richards: 23 GP 23 PTS (7G 16A, -1)
Claude Giroux: 23 GP 21 PTS (10G 11A, +7)

Top Defensemen: Chris Pronger 23 GP 18 PTS (4G 14A, +5)

Philadelphia Flyers Goaltending
Michael Leighton: 14 GP 8-3 2.46 GAA .916 SV%
Brian Boucher: 12 GP 6-6 2.47 GAA .909 SV%


Stanley Cup Finals Recap from the National Hockey League Website: www.nhl.com

Jonathan Toews zig-zagged through the crowd, long after the trophy presentation, his eyes turning every which way. Still on skates and in full gear - minus his gloves, helmets and sticks - Toews was trying his best to see through all the screens like Antti Nemi did on Wednesday Night.

"There it is," he said, pointing diagonally to the right as he looked behind him.

Yes, there it was, the Chicago Blackhawks Stanley Cup, won with his 4-3 OT Victory on Patrick Kane's overtime goal 4:06 into the extra session of Game 6 on Wednesday Night at the Wachovia Center.

Toews, enamored with gold only 3 and a half months ago, fixated on the glistening Silver as he weaved through a crowd of media and family members who were walking over the previously fresh sheet of the Wachovia Center Ice. Ben Eager, who was having his own private moment with his family and the Cup, handed it to the "Captain serious."

He lifted it over his head, pasted a big smile on his face and told his family to follow him with the Cup - all 35 pounds and 36 inches of it - was being held so high that everybody, including a few thousand Blackhawks fans left in the building, could see it.

Thanks to Kane's surprising goal, Antti Nemi's resiliency and an overall group effort to recover the weight of the hockey world felt like it was crashing down on them, the Blackhawks all got to lift the Stanley Cup over their heads and celebrate with their families.

Not since 1961 has Chicago raised the Cup. The city will have its parade Friday and the team will have a summer to savor the championship.

"The party in Chicago is going to be all world," coach Joel Quenneville said after Kane got the OT Winner and Nemi made 21 saves. "It's been a long time."

Game 7 looked like a distinct possibility when Flyers Wing Scott Hartnell forced overtime with 3:59 left in regulation, but Kane scored a goal only he knew actually went into the net early in the extra period.

He deked and dangled around Kimmo Timonen, taking the puck around the lower portion of the left circle before throwing it on net. Kane immediately threw his arms up to celebrate as he rimmed his body around the corner boards, but there was no red light.

The Flyers were stunned. They had no idea what was happening.

"I didn't see the goal," coach Peter Laviolette said. It came in off the angle." I saw one of their players skate across the ice like he had won something. I got a little pit in my stomach. But I didn't know it when in. I haven't seen it."

The players that streak across Laviolette's field of vision could have been any number of the Blackhawks.

Patrick Sharp, Nick Boynton, Andrew Ladd and Brian Campbell trailed as #88 raced down to jump on Nemi. As Kane wizzed past through the Hawks bench, one by one they all started pouring over the boards.

Still it wasn't totally defined. Was it a goal?

Toews started back at the officials as he was hugging teammates. Sharp did the same. So did Brent Sopel and John Madden.

Video replays showed the puck went into the right side of the net, going through the Flyers goalie Michael Leighton (37 saves) and tickling the twine enough for it to flutter as if a gust of wind had just blown through Wachovia Center.

After a short review, it was ruled a goal - and the celebration was on.

"One guy went over the bench and all of a sudden it was just a waterfall," Troy Brouwer said. "I don't think any of us actually know it went in. We just followed the flow. Kane started celebrating so we figured it must have gone in."

Toews who finished the playoffs with 29 points in 22 games, was first handed the Conn Smythe Trophy from NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman. Next came the Cup, making the Blackhawks captain an Olympic Champion, Stanley Cup Champion and Conn Smythe winner all within less then four months.

He also the youngest player (22 years old) to become a member of the Triple Gold Club (Olympic Gold, Stanley Cup Champion, World Championship).

"This tops everything for sure," said Toews, who assisted on Dustin Byfuglien's power play goal 16:49 into the first period that gave the Hawks a 1-0 lead. "We're brothers in that locker room and we pull for each other, and thats what makes us so special."

Toews handed to the Cup Marian Hossa, this year's fell good story of the Cup.

"Very appros", Quenneville said.

Hossa's military press with the Cup was three years in the making - he lost in the Final in each of the last 2 seasons. Hossa said he thought about his family and how hard his road to this moment has been when he had the trophy over his head.

It was a feeling made only more unbelieveable by a see-saw game of goals and emotions.

Chicago grabbed a 1-0 lead, but a dominating first period (17-7 shot advantage in SOG) was ruined by a late penalty and ensuing power play from Scott Hartnell 27 seconds before the first intermission.

Eight minutes into the 2nd period, Danny Briere made it 2-1 Flyers.

But Sharp and Andrew Ladd scored before the intermission to make 3-2 Hawks. Chicago was now 20 minutes away from winning the Stanley Cup, and 16 minutes it looked Ladd's goal (17:43 into the 2nd) was going to stand as the winner.

But all it takes is one bounce for everything to change.

With 3:59 left in regulation, Hartnell directed the puck into the net after Ville Leino's pass banked off Hossa in the slot. Tied 3-3, the record setting crowd of 20,307, the most fans ever to see a hockey game in person in the state of Pennsylvania, roared as the Blackhawks sagged.

Keith said the Hawks talked about who would become the hero.

"Sure enough, it was little Kaner," said Keith. "Hes scored big goals for us all year."

He may not score a bigger one in his life.

"I knew it was in right away," Kane said. "I just tried to take off and book it to the other end and try to sell the celebration. It was crazy. It's unbelieveable to be a part of this."

Chicago Blackhawks win Stanley Cup 4-2

Game Boxscore

Chicago Blackhawks 4 Philadelphia Flyers 3 (OT) (1-1, 2-1, 0-1, 1-0)

1-0 CHI: Dustin Byfuglien (PP) (Toews, Kane) 16:49 1st

1-1 PHI: Scott Hartnell (Briere, Pronger) 19:33 1st

1-2 PHI: Danny Briere (Leino, Krajicek) 8:00 2nd

2-2 CHI: Patrick Sharp (Bolland, Keith) 9:58 2nd

2-3 CHI: Andrew Ladd (Hjalmarsson, Kane) 17:43 2nd

3-3 PHI: Scott Hartnell (Leino, Briere) 16:01 3rd

4-3 CHI: Patrick Kane (Campbell) 4:06 OT


Game Stats

SOG: CHI 41 PHI 24

PIM: CHI 8 Minutes on 4 Penalties PHI 10 Minutes on 5 Penalties

Goalies: CHI Antti Nemi 21 SVS on 24 Shots PHI Michael Leighton 37 SVS on 41 Shots

ATT: 20,327

Chicago never had Game 5 in Doubt: The Blackhawks are One win away from the Stanley Cup Final

With a 3 goal spurt in just under six minutes which had goals by Seabrook, Bolland & Versteeg helped lay the foundation of what was a game that was never in doubt for the Blackhawks as Chicago went on to the 7-4 win to take a 3-2 series lead and can win the Cup on Wednesday Night with a win in Philadelphia.

Patrick Sharp had another big night as he had a goal & an assist to continue his great playoff run which takes him to 21 points while Dustin Byfuglien lead the way for Chicago with 4 points (2G 2A) along with Versteeg had a 3 point night (G 2A).

While guys like Patrick Kane was finally able to break through after having a bit of a scoring drought in the playoffs as Flyers D-Man like Chris Pronger were focusing on him in this Final.

Nemi made 23 saves in the win where he didn't have his best night, but with the offense, neither goalie was that great to begin with. As for Michael Leighton, he was pulled after giving up the 3 goals in the first period, Brian Boucher who played his first action since May 29 where he made 11 saves on 14 shots.

With the offense, he was doing his best to help keep the Flyers in the game, but with the way the Blackhawks were responding to basically after every Flyers goal when they thought the Flyers had some hope, it would be shot down by another Blackhawks goal.

My pick for MVP right now for the Blackhawks is one of the two Patrick's. Either Patrick Sharp or Patrick Kane will win the MVP Award for the Final. Sharp has been a menace all over the ice with his 21 points (10G 11A) and is not afraid to mix it up in the hits with his 16 penalty minutes and is one of the few guys that can neutralize Chris Pronger. Kane is up to 25 points including 16 assists which is 2nd in the entire playoffs. His speed makes teams sweat and he's nearly impossible to stop.

The Flyers couldn't stop the Blackhawks offense as they were playing from behind virtually the whole night despite great efforts by players Villie Leino who had 3 assists. However, Chris Pronger who's been the emotional leader of the team was defensive liability with a -5 in the game while Matt Carle who was a -3 last night. Philly needs to shore up the defense for Game 6 which includes some goaltending questions on who to start for Game 6 on Wednesday Night.

Chicago will be looking to end of the longest droughts in Stanley Cup History as a win on Wednesday night will give the team their First Stanley Cup since 1961. Game 6 comes up on Wednesday Night in Philly, then if necessary, Game 7 will be back in Chicago on Friday Night where a Stanley Cup Champion would be crowned for sure that night.


Kane Explodes: www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=531116

Flyers Slump: www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=531122

Will Boucher or Leighton start in Game 6? www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=531164

Game 5 Ratings up over last Year: www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=531177


Game 5 Recap from the National Hockey League Website: www.nhl.com

In Chicago: All that was audible inside the Chicago Blackhawks dressing room late Sunday Night were soft voices and shuffling feet of a few dozen reporters battling for position in a scrum just like the players do on the ice.

From east to west and north to south inside the cavernous room, players stood in front of their stalls and quietly talked about dominating Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Finals. Smiles were scarce. Strange

The Blackhawks have just skated to a 7-4 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers and a 3-2 lead in the Stanley Cup Final. They've won 67 games this season, and with one more win they can erase 49 years of misery by winning the Stanley Cup. But you could hardly tell by the mood in the room.

"I think it's a sign of reality," Hawks center John Madden said. "We haven't accomplished anything. Yeah, we're up 3-2 in the series and we've been able to hold home ice advantage, but we know how well they play in their building. We have to get our rest, get our mind cleared on what we have to do on Wednesday. You can chalk it up to the maturity, but I think guys are real focused on what they have to do."

The next two days we fell like an eternity for the Hawks. They won't get their first crack at winning the Cup until Wednesday Night in Philadelphia (8 PM EDT on NBC & CBC). The two full off days are not welcome now, not after the way the Hawks played Sunday.

Showing off their brand new lines, created in part by the breakup of their former top line of Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane and Dustin Byfuglien), the Blackhawks raced out to a 3-0 lead after the first 20 minutes, by far their best period of the series.

Byfuglien, who was skating with Kris Verteeg and Dave Bolland, had 2 assists in the first. Brent Seabrook, Bolland and Versteeg all scored in a span of 5:58.

"That was a pace we've been looking for," Chicago coach Joel Quenneville said.

It was enough for Flyers Coach Peter Laviolette to pull goalie Michael Leighton (10 saves) for Brian Boucher at the start of the 2nd period. Boucher made only 11 saves, and Laviolette didn't have an answer when he was asked who would start Game 6.

"One thing that I have learned along the way about the playoffs is one game is only one game. There's usually not a carryover effect from game to game," Laviolette said. "This is just one page of the story. Tonight it was their page."

Chicago turned the page on special teams. The Hawks were getting outplayed badly in that department through four games, but they won the battle on Sunday by scoring on 2 of 4 power plays and killing off all three penalties they committed.

The Blackhawks were 1-for-9 on the power play through 4 games while the Flyers were 5-for-16 and had scored at least one power play in each game.

"We did a good job of staying out of the box, better then we've done," Hawks defensemen Duncan Keith said. "We did a good job penalty killing and using our speed. Everybody was battling."

Byfuglien, previously invisible thinks to Chris Pronger, finished with four points (on 2 Goals and 2 assists). He was hard on the puck, physcial in the corners and a force in the slot. He was the game's first star and his power play goal off some tic-tac-toe passing with 4:15 to be in the 2nd period proved to be the game winner. It put the Hawks up 5-2 going into the 3rd period.

"He got rid of us and started performing" Kane said, offering one of the rare jokes we heard after this game. "That's all he needed."

Versteeg, who was disappointed in his effort after two losses in Philly, had three points and was a +3. He was the game's 2nd star. Kane, a minus 4 in Game 4, had a goal and an assist and earned the game's 3rd star.

"Everybody wants to make a difference tonight," Versteeg said.

"Everybody did, including Quenneville, whose decision to change the lines after the forgettable experience in Philly had a lot to do with the energy and speed the Hawks played with on Sunday.

Quenneville played coy about potential line changes Sunday Morning, but he cleary wanted to get Toews, Kane and Byfuglien separated so Pronger wouldn't have as great an effort on three of the Blackhawks top offensive players.

Brilliant.

Toews, Kane and Byfuglien combined for seven points and Pronger, a plus 4 in Game 4, finished minus 5 in Game 5, his worst performance of the playoffs in a landslide. He tried to brush it off in another comedic session with the media.

"I'm day-to-day with hurt feelings," Pronger cracked.

At least he has two days to recover.

"It's already gone," Pronger added. "I don't remember anything."

The Blackhawks better remember everything about game 5 because they'll have to replicate the effort and performance Wednesday when they won't have 22,305 screaming fans behind them.

Philadelphia is 9-1 on its home ice in the playoffs and has shown the resiliency of a cat all season, especially this spring. Chicago is 0-for-3 in games inside the Wachovia Center this season and 0-10 since 1996, but the Cup will be in the building and it can be theirs if they win.

Then, and only then, the Hawks celebrate.

"We just realize nothing is won yet," Keith said. "We need one more win to do it."


Chicago Blackhawks Lead Series 3-2


Game Boxscore

Philadelphia Flyers 4 Chicago Blackhawks 7 (0-3, 2-2, 2-2)

0-1 CHI: Brent Seabrook (PP) (Versteeg, Brouwer) 12:17 1st

0-2 CHI: Dave Bolland (Sopel, Byfuglien) 15:26 1st

0-3 CHI: Kris Versteeg (Seabrook, Byfuglien) 18:15 1st

1-3 PHI: Scott Hartnell (Leino, Briere) 0:32 2nd

1-4 CHI: Patrick Kane (Ladd, Sharp) 3:13 2nd

2-4 PHI: Kimmo Timonen (Briere, Leino) 4:38 2nd

2-5 CHI: Dustin Byfuglien (Toews, Keith) 15:45 2nd

3-5 PHI: James Van Riemsdyk (Krajicek, Timonen) 6:36 3rd

3-6 CHI: Patrick Sharp (Kane) 16:08 3rd

4-6 PHI: Simon Gagne (Leino) 17:24 3rd

4-7 CHI: Dustin Byfuglien (EN) (Versteeg, Bolland) 17:55 3rd


Game Stats

SOG: PHI 27 CHI 28

PP: PHI 0/3 CHI 1/4

PIM: PHI 8 Minutes on 4 Penalties CHI 6 Minutes on 3 Penalties

Goalies: PHI Michael Leighton 10 SVS on 13 Shots Brian Boucher 11 SVS on 14 Shots CHI Antti Nemi 23 SVS on 27 Shots

ATT: 22,309

3rd Star: Patrick Kane (CHI)

2nd Star: Kris Versteeg (CHI)

1st Star: Dustin Byfuglien (CHI)

Philly's Claude Giroux gives the Flyers an OT Win and cuts the series to 2-1

A back-and-fourth game that featured three ties and a couple of lead changes eventually lead to Claude Giroux's game winner 6 minutes into OT after a goal that looked like that helped the Flyers win just a couple of minutes was called a no goal after it rolled across the goal line.

The Flyers knew that they needed a big performance and a win to keep this series close and they did that very well with Giroux getting a goal and assist. Chris Pronger being a pest once again and Scott Hartnell playing like a maniac in this year's Finals.

Game 4 will be tomorrow night as we will have another critical chance for the Blackhawks to go up 3-1 and be within one win of clinching the Stanley Cup Title. As for Philadelphia, the Flyers are looking to keep the home cooking going to tie the series at 2-2 and guarantee one more home game for the Flyers in the Final.

ONE FINAL NOTE TO MLB, REPLAY WORKS, WE HAD TO USE IT ON 2 VERY CLOSE CALLS ON GOALS AND BOTH WERE CORRECT. THAT MEANS YOU BUD SELIG!!!!!!!!!!

Claude Giroux fulfills friends OT Pick: www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=530843

Jonathan Toews stays positive despite Game 3 Loss: www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=530836

Game Recap from the National Hockey League Website: www.nhl.com

In Philadelphia: Nothing can shake Philadelphia's belief in itself in this Stanley Cup Final - not the weight of history, not the skill and opportunism of its opponent, nor its own mistakes.

On Wednesday Night, the Flyers overcame that deadly trifecta to somehow fashion a 4-3 OT Victory - on the OT Strength of Claude Giroux's deflection on goal at 5:59 into OT - against the Chicago Blackhawks in Game 3 before a record crowd at the Wachovia Center.

As a greater testament to the Philadelphia resolve on this night, Giroux's goal came just 57 seconds after the Flyers thought they had won the game on a shot by Simon Gagne. Video replay, however, determined that the shot, which rang off the far goal post, never completely crossed the goal line.

Philadelphia stepped onto the ice Wednesday knowing that only two teams had to overcome an 0-2 start on the road to the Stanley Cup Final to eventually raise the trophy in victory. The Flyers also knew they were facing a Chicago team that had won seven straight road games. Yet, none of them mattered as the Flyers still believed they would win, despite the long odds of history stacked against them.

"I just had a feeling we were going to win tonight," forward Daniel Briere said. "I remember driving to the rink earlier in this afternoon and I just felt had this good feeling we're going to win; there was absolutely no way we were going to lose this game. It was just that feeling that we were going to do anything to get it done."

The Flyers had to have everything possible - and more - to get the win that puts them back in a series they now trail 2-1 heading into Friday's Game 4 here (8:00 PM ET on Versus).

In Wednesday's game, Philaelphia had to overcome the stigma of coughing up two leads - on goals by defensemen Duncan Keith and Brent Sopel - and then allowing Chicago to score the go - ahead goal early in the third period on egregious turnover that turned into the go ahead goal by Patrick Kane on a breakaway at 2:50 of the third period. Philadelphia has now blown five leads in the first three games of this series.

Kane's goal took the sails out of the record crowd at the Wachovia Center, which had filled to overflowing with 20,297 fans attempting to will the Flyers back into this series with back-to-back one goal losses in Chicago. It was the biggest crowd not only in Wachovia Center History, but also the biggest crowd to watch an NHL Game in the state of Pennsylvania.

Come Thursday, though, at least three times that number of people will say they were part of the Bedlam on Broad Street as they pass along the incredible tale of a team that refuses to admit when enough is enough.

In face, Philadelphia's response to the goal by Kane - which would have broken a lesser team -defines the supreme will of these Flyers, who beat Boston two rounds ago despite falling into an 0-3 series hole and then trailing 3-0 in Game 7 before winning 4-3.

Ville Leino, a late season addition, tied Game 3 just 20 seconds later after Kane's goal. Briere had given Philadelphia its first lead with five minutes left in the first and Scott Hartnell scored midway through the 2nd for a 2-1 lead. Both goals came on the Power Play.

"It was a nice goal to comeback away after that (Kane Goal) and score, because you think its over", Philadelphia Coach Peter Laviolette said.

Driving hard to the net, Leino grabbed a fortunate rebound and slammed it past Antti Nemi, who had scrambled to stop a puck that had unexpectedly bounced off the skate of the defensemen Jordan Hendry.

"I don't think anyone was deflated at all," said Flyers defensemen Chris Pronger, who has become the emotional barometer of this team. "We needed to bounce back. There's going to be momentum swings through the course of the game, through the course of the series."

"There's lots of time left. I don't think anybody was panicking or deflated. I think it's a matter of just putting your head down and getting back to work."

Philadelphia never stopped working after Kane's goal, just as the Flyers haven't stopped working all postseason.

Before's Giroux's winner, the Flyers out-shot Chicago 16-5 - including a 14-3 margin in the final 17 minutes of regulation. The dominated zone play for long stretches and were finally rewarded with the goal by Giroux, who deflected a point shot from Matt Carle past Niemi.

"I won the faceoff and Kimmo Timonen passed me in the middle and passed to Briere on the side, and Matt Carle joined the rush," said Giroux, who said he received a text Wednesday Afternoon from a childhood friend Giroux would score the game winner in OT. "Carle's a great player and he can see the ice pretty well. I was trying to get a stick on it and it trickled in.

Giroux goal gave Philadelphia its first playoff OT Win in its first five tries, a string of futility dating all the way back to 1974. Suddenly, the building was jumping, the players were celebrating and the weight of both their past failures and the postseason's daunting history were forgotten - for a least few moments.

"It's been going on for a long time", Laviolette said of his team's undaunted responses to adversity. "Like I said this morning, 2-0 (down) for us is comfortable. Were ok with that. We know how to battle through it. We knew how important the game was tonight. Once we wake up tomorrow morning, we know we have to hold serve on home ice. I think the guys will be find with that."

On Friday, it will be Chicago's turn to respond to adversity. Captain Jonathan Towes, who set up Kane's breakaway goal, insists his club will be ready.

"When you come into this game, the series is far from over," Towes said. "We couldn't look ahead to Game 4 or anything beyond tonight. It's tough to lose, especially in OT when you work as hard you did."

"We're not looking past any game right now." Regardless of what the score is in the series, we'll keep getting better and we'll get ready for the next one."


Chicago Blackhawks Lead Series 2-1


Game Boxscore


Chicago Blackhawks 3 Philadelphia Flyers 4 (OT) (0-1, 2-1, 1-1, 0-1)

0-1 PHI: Danny Briere (Hartnell, Coburn) 14:58 1st

1-1 CHI: Duncan Keith (Kane, Hossa) 2:49 2nd

1-2 PHI: Scott Hartnell (PP) (Pronger, Giroux) 9:59 2nd

2-2 CHI: Brent Sopel (Madden) 17:52 2nd

3-2 CHI: Patrick Kane (Toews, Eager) 3:10 3rd

3-3 PHI: Veino (Giroux, Carle) 3:10 3rd

3-4 PHI: Claude Giroux (Carle, Briere) 5:59 OT


Game Stats

SOG: CHI 27 PHI 32

PIM: CHI 6 Minutes on 3 Penalties PHI 6 Minutes on 3 Penalties

PP: CHI 0/3 PHI 1/3

Goalies: CHI Antti Nemi 28 SVS on 32 Shots PHI Michael Leighton 24 SVS on 27 Shots

ATT: 20,297

3rd Star: Chris Pronger (PHI)

2nd Star: Ville Leino (PHI)

1st Star: Claude Giroux (PHI)

2010 Stanley Cup Final: Philadelphia Flyers VS. Chicago Blackhawks, make your picks

With the Stanley Cup Finals now set to go on Saturday Night, it's now time to make your picks for the Stanley Cup Champions for the 2009-2010 season. From the West, the Chicago Blackhawks who using the speed and talent of players like Patrick Kane, Patrick Sharp and Jonathan Toews as the Blackhawks stormed through the season by winning the Central Division and finishing 2nd in the Western Conference by winning 52 games during the regular season.

During the playoffs this year, the Blackhawks had a few issues with Nashville before crushing them late in the 1st round, beat Vancouver in 6 and sweeped the San Jose Sharks.

As for the Philadelphia Flyers, they have taken the underdog role as the Flyers crushed the Devils in 5 games, the 2nd round saw the Flyers become only the 3rd team in history to comeback from 0-3 down to beat Boston in 7. Then saw the Flyers finally solve Jarsolv Halak, Michael Cammalleri and company to end the 8th seeded Canadiens run by winning in 5 games.

The Flyers can play a very physical game with players like Chris Pronger, Daniel Briere and Jeff Carter. Does Philadelphia have the physicality to slowdown the Blackhawks speed, or does the speed and scoring ability will be to much for the Flyers to handle? We will find out on Saturday when Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final gets underway.

But first, here's a look at how the Philadelphia Flyers & Chicago Blackhawks got to the Stanley Cup Final.

#2W Chicago Blackhawks

Conference Quarterfinals VS. Nashville: Game 1 1-4 L, Game 2 2-0 W, Game 3 1-4 L, Game 4 3-0 W, Game 5 5-4 OTW, Game 6 5-3 W

Conference Semifinals VS. Vancouver: Game 1 1-5 L, Game 2 4-2 W, Game 3 5-2 W, Game 4 7-4 W, Game 5 1-3 L, Game 6 5-1 W

Conference Finals VS. San Jose: Game 1 2-1 W, Game 2 4-2 W, Game 3 3-2 OTW, Game 4 4-2 W


#7E Philadelphia Flyers

Conference Quarterfinals VS. New Jersey: Game 1 2-1 W, Game 2 3-5 L, Game 3 3-2 OTW, Game 4 4-1 W, Game 5 3-0 W

Conference Semifinals VS. Boston: Game 1 4-5 OTL, Game 2 2-3 L, Game 3 1-4 L, Game 4 5-4 OTW, Game 5 4-0 W, Game 6 2-1 W, Game 7 4-3 W

Conference Finals VS. Montreal: Game 1 6-0 W, Game 2 3-0 W, Game 3 1-5 L, Game 4 3-0 W, Game 5 4-2 W


Stanley Cup Finals Schedule (All Games start at 8:00 PM EDT/7:00 PM CDT)

Game 1, 5/29: @ Chicago NBC, CBC, RDS

Game 2, 5/31: @ Chicago NBC, CBC, RDS

Game 3, 6/2: @ Philadelphia Versus, CBC, RDS

Game 4, 6/4: @ Philadelphia Versus, CBC, RDS

Game 5, 6/6: @ Chicago NBC, CBC, RDS

Game 6, 6/9: @ Philadelphia NBC, CBC, RDS

Game 7, 6/11: @ Chicago NBC, CBC, RDS



With the schedule and contenders now known, it's time for some picks. I would to see your picks to win. Also vote in my Poll, and its who will win the Stanley Cup?


Who wins and in how many games?

Who or what is the X-Factor?

Who will be the Playoff MVP?


You can either respond here or on my twitter page at http://twitter.com/tanman9

Philly's 2nd period surge ends Montreal Dream Run

Philadelphia was able to control the game all night as the Flyers teammates Jeff Carter and Aaron Asahm scored in just over 90 seconds as the Flyers finally ended the Montreal Canadians dream playoff run to clinch the Eastern Conference Title. And advanced to the Stanley Cup Final for the first time since 1997 as the Flyers will play the Blackhawks starting on Saturday Night in Chicago.

Micheal Leighton is continuing to grow his legend in these playoffs as the win takes him to 6-1 in the playoffs with an unreal 1.45 GAA & .948 SV%, which are both leading the playoffs among goalies. And with 3 shutouts in this series, this is making him very popular and for him to get a big time contract when the chance comes up.

So this year's Stanley Cup Final gets underway this weekend as the Flyers will travel to Chicago for Game 1 of this year's Stanley Cup Final. For the Blackhawks, this is the first time since 1992 they are back in the Final while the Flyers are back since 1997 when they lost to Detroit.


From the National Hockey League Website: www.nhl.com

Habs Shocked: www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=530085

Richards Up Front: www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=530086

In Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Hockey sometimes demands a terrible price be paid for glory.

The Philadelphia Flyers paid that exorbitant toll in the countless ways Monday Night as they ended a 13 year drought between Stanley Cup Final appearances with gritty game 5 win against the Montreal Canadiens.

The 4-2 victory at the Wachovia Center came about because the Flyers were willing to pay any price to assure the date with the Blackhawks in the 2010 Stanley Cup Final, a series that begins on Saturday in Chicago.

"You put your body on the line, whetever it's finishing hits, blocking shots, and we've done a great job of that so far in the playoffs, and I think it's shown with the victories," Flyers captain Mike Richards said, moments after he grabbed the Prince of Wales Trophy from Deputy Bill Daley and highlighted it to a jubilant Philadelphia Dressing Room.

Richards, more then anyone, threw his body into harm's way all night; but never more so on that goal that the game at 1-all and erased the Montreal lead created by Brian Gionta in the game's first minute -- a goal that threatened put Philadelphia back on its heels as in a demoralizing Game 3 loss.

Richards refused to let that happen, turning a dangerous penalty kill situation into a back-breaking goal from which the Canadiens could not recover.

Richards got a step on Roman Hamrlik in an effort to chase down a hopeful clearing pass by Cladue Giroux, which forced a desperate attempt by Montreal Goalie Jaroslav Halak to play the puck at the top of the left faceoff circle.

Amazingly, all three players arrived at the puck at the same time in a startling collision that sent the puck further toward the Montreal goal. Richards somehow picked himself up, claimed the loose puck and deposited net before anyone else on the ice could react.

"Well, that's why our leader," said veteran defensemen Chris Pronger, who played more then 27 minutes and blocked three shots to pay his part of the dues. "It's that determination and that grit. You know, diving head first for the puck and being first one up after a big collision like that to try to get free to the loose puck and put it to the empty net."

Before it was over, Richards would set up a couple of goals by Jeff Carter to close out the game and have his teammates in a state of awe.

"He leads by example," said grinding forward Ian Laperriere, who blocked two shots despite having his head after suffering a brain contusion while blocking a shot in the first round. "Tonight was another example; he went through everybody. I've played with great players and he's got that in him - greatness."

On the game-winner, 4:31 into the 2nd period, Carter set up behind the goal line and pushed a pass from Kimmo Timonen into the slot, where Carter could one-time it past Halak.

Then, in the game's final minute, with Halak on the bench for an extra skater, Richards refused to give up on the puck heading towards the empty net. He fought off a back-check attempt from Thomas Plekanec to leave the puck for Carter, who dumped it under Josh Georges and into the goalless net.

Did we mention that Carter was playing on a broken foot that was broken a little more then a month ago and that he was still walking around with a pronounced limp?

On the Aaron Asham, the man that scored a goal that made 2-1 in the 2nd period, was one of the most dominant players on the ice - despite playing just 8 minutes - in getting four promo scoring chances before finally beating Halak with a roof shot right on the goalie's doorstep.

How about Timonen, a smallish defensemen not known for his physical contributions? He blocked six shots and was the target of several checks from Montreal players during his 27 minutes on the ice. Still, he found time to assists on Carter's Game Winning Goal.

"Every game I hit hard -- doesn't matter if it's Montreal or some other team," Timonen said. "I got a couple of hits on my head today. But I like said, it's a playoff game; you take some, you give some. Today, obviously, I took a couple of good ones. You've got to take it. First period I actually took a stupid penalty there because, you know, Scott Gomez hit me from behind. But its one of those things, like I said, sometimes you have to suck it up."

And, that is just what the Flyers did all night Monday and throughout this five game domination of the Cinderella Canadiens, who had shown their own grit and determination in knocking off the top seeded Washington Capitals and Pittsburgh, the defending Stanley Cup Champions.

Montreal had already erased series deficits of 3-1 and 3-2 in the past two rounds, but could not find an answer for Philadelphia's relentless pressure or the brilliant goaltending of Micheal Leighton, who stopped 95 of 102 shots in the series.

"I thought they did a good job playing a disciplined style, very disciplined game plan and I thought we didn't do a good job at that and our execution was not were it needed to be to challenge them a little more that way," said Michael Cammalleri, Montreal's most dangerous offensive weapon this post-season. "So hats off for playing as well as they did."

Pronger also believed it was Philadelphia's discipline and willingness to pay the hefty price that delivered them to the Championship Round.

"We've always believed in the system and the players and what we're doing on the ice. It's just a matter of us getting into that rhythm and buying into the system," he said. "It's guys blocking shots and doing all the little things. that make up a lot of little battles during the course of the game to win the war. We've done a very good job that far of that."


Philadelphia Wins Series 4-1

Game Boxscore

Montreal Canadiens 2 Philadelphia Flyers 4 (1-1, 0-2, 1-1)

0-1 MTL: Brian Gionta (Gomez, Hamrlik) 0:59 1st

1-1 PHI: Mike Richards (Giroux) 4:25 1st

1-2 PHI: Arron Asham (Carle) 3:07 2nd

1-3 PHI: Jeff Carter (Richards, Timonen) 4:31 2nd

2-3 MTL: Scott Gomez (Subban, Gionta) 6:53 3rd

2-4 PHI: Jeff Carter (EN) (Richards) 19:37 3rd


Game Stats

SOG: MTL 27 PHI 26

PIM: MTL 14 Minutes on 7 Penalties PHI 8 Minutes on 4 Penalties

Goalies: MTL Jarsolav Halak 22 SVS on 25 Shots PHI Michael Leighton 25 SVS on 27 Shots

ATT: 19986

3rd Star: Kimmo Timonen (PHI)

2nd Star: Claude Giroux (PHI)

1st Star: Mike Richards (PHI)

2010 Stanley Cup Final Schedule

The Stanley Cup Finals just became official as the Flyers took down the Montreal Canadians 4-2 with Jeff Carter scoring the game winner on an empty netter with 30 seconds left in the game. Philadelphia is making their first trip to the Finals since 1997 when they lost to the Detroit Red Wings when they won the first of back-to-back Cups in 1997 & 1998.

Chicago is looking to their speed and strong scoring ability with players like Kane, Toews and Sharp among a huge cast that them selves are back in the Stanley Cup Final for the first time since 1992.

The Fun gets going on Saturday Night from Chicago as NBC will have 5 of the 7 games as they will have the first 2 games, plus Games 5 through 7 if needed. Versus will televise Games 3 & 4 from Philadelphia.

#2W Chicago Blackhawks VS. #7E Philadelphia Flyers

Game 1, 5/29: @ Chicago 8:00 PM EDT/7:00 PM CDT NBC

Game 2, 5/31: @ Chicago 8:00 PM EDT/7:00 PM CDT NBC

Game 3, 6/2: @ Philadelphia 8:00 PM EDT/7:00 PM CDT Versus

Game 4, 6/4: @ Philadelphia 8:00 PM EDT/7:00 PM CDT Versus

Game 5, 6/6: @ Chicago 8:00 PM EDT/7:00 PM CDT NBC*

Game 6, 6/9: @ Philadelphia 8:00 PM EDT/7:00 PM CDT NBC*

Game 7, 6/11: @ Chicago 8:00 PM EDT/7:00 PM CDT NBC*

*If Necessary




Team Stats Leaders

Chicago Blackhawks Scoring Leaders

Jonathan Toews 16 GP 26 PTS (7G 19A, +4)

Patrick Kane 16 GP 20 PTS (7G 13A, +2)

Patrick Sharp 16 GP 16 PTS (7G 9A, +3)

Chicago Blackhawks Goaltending

Antti Nemi 16 GP 12-4 2.33 GAA .921 SV%

Full Chicago Blackhawks Stats: http://blackhawks.nhl.com/club/stats.htm?gameType=3&season=20092010

Philadelphia Flyers Scoring Leaders

Mike Richards: 17 GP 21 PTS (6G 15A, +6)

Danny Briere: 17 GP 18 PTS (9G, 9A, +4)

Claude Giroux: 17 GP 17 PTS (8G 9A, +10)

Philadelphia Flyers Goaltending

Brian Boucher: 10 GP 6-4 2.33 GAA .915 SV%

Michael Leighton: 8 GP 6-1 1.45 GAA .948 SV%

Full Philadelphia Flyers Stats: http://flyers.nhl.com/club/stats.htm




For more on the Stanley Cup Final, check out the following websites.

National Hockey League: http://www.nhl.com/

Chicago Blackhawks: http://blackhawks.nhl.com/?navid=nav-teamnav-chi

Philadelphia Flyers: http://flyers.nhl.com/

Philadelphia gets 2nd straight shutout, goes up 2-0 and extends shutout streak to over 160 minutes

The Flyers are using some timely scoring and an amazing goaltender performance by Michael Leighton who's had back-to-back shutouts in this series and a shutout streak that is last over a 160 minutes going back to late in the 1st period of Game 7 in the Boston Series.

Goals by Daniel Briere, Simon Gagne and Villie Leino in each period was a big part of a constant pressure of Montreal Goalie Jarsolav Halak. Even though Halak has been able to bounce back big time so many times in this year's playoffs.

His magic be starting to ware off as him and rest of the Canadians haven't been able to figure out the Flyers stifling defense which has been able to be among some of the biggest hitters in the league with players like Pronger and Timonen who not only can hit, but can get involved in the scoring as Lkrajicek, Pronger and Timonen each added assists in this game.

This is turning into a bad matchup for the Flyers as the Canadians have been playing teams that allowed more of a free flowing motion when they played the Capitals and Penguins earlier in the playoffs.

The other big reason for the Canadians problems have been scoring problems from their top players like Mike Cammalleri and Brian Gionta as the Flyers defense has done a great job of shutting them down. Cammalleri has -1 rating in each of the last 2 games while Gionta has a -3 despite having 9 shots on goal in the last 2 games.

I think that this is no fluke, injuries have kept the Flyers from experiencing their true potential this season, but with everyone healthy and the defense humming along and the deep goaltending has help the Flyers in the Conference Finals.

From the National Hockey League Website: www.nhl.com

From Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: The Philadelphia Flyers and the Eastern Conference Finals have been a perfect match so far. Tuesday's 3-0 victory against Montreal in Game 2 at the Wachovia Center is just the latest piece of supporting evidence.

With the win, Philadelphia swept the first two games of the series by a stunning 9-0 margin and head to Montreal for Tuesday's Game 3 of this best-of-7 series with a 6 game winning streak, a franchise-record run of 13 unanswered goals and a shutout streak of 165:50.

Of the impressive marks date back to Game 7 of the last round when the Flyers erased a three game series deficit against the Boston Bruins with a historic come-from-behind 4-3 win in Game 7, allowing Philadelphia to become just the 3rd team in the history of the NHL to comeback from a 3-0 hole in a best-of-7 series.

Apparently, that which does not kill you can only make you stronger.

"Well its definitely a good feeling", center Danny Birere said of the two game lead.

But with memory of their own possible waterloo against Boston fresh off their mind, as well as the knowledge of the Canadiens have been impossible to kill this postseason - they are 5-0 in elimination game - the Flyers refuse to get caught up in the fact that they are just two games away from their first trip to the Stanley Cup Final since 1997.

"You look at the two teams that are here right now, both teams know that they can go away quick", Biere said. "We came back. Montreal came-back a couple of times. They were down 2-1, 3-2 against very good teams before. So we're not going to sit back. We saw what we were able to do to Boston. So the worst thing we can do is sit back."

"The thing that I like is the fact we all feel like we haven't played our best games yet, and we still have a lot to prove. So I think that's a positive that we still have more in the tank. You know, we want to prove that we're winning, but it's not a fluke."

There has been nothing fluky about the Flyers in the first two games of the series. They have been better in every facet of the game - and have been especially dominant in the goaltending battle and on special teams.

In game 2, Michael Leighton kept Philadelphia in the game until its special teams could take over.

Leighton stopped 16 saves in the first period - including a testing six-shot barrage on Philadelphia's 2nd penalty kill - and finished the game with 30 saves.

"Well, today we had one good player out there, obviously it was Leighton, and the rest of us, we were average," said defensemen Kimmo Timonen said.

Leighton has been Philadelphia's best player since being thrust into action in Game 5 as an injury replacement for Brian Boucher. He won in relief that night and he has not lost in four starts. In his five games, he has put up a 0.87 GAA and a .969 SV%.

He has stopped 70 straight saves and has not allowed a goal since Boston's Milan Lucic scored 14:10 into the first period of Game 7. The streak of 165:50 is the 2nd longest in franchise history behind Boucher, and he is the first Flyer since the legendary Bernie Parent in 1975 to post back-to-back playoff shutouts.

"To me, tonight, he looked as good as I've seen him," Philadelphia coach Peter Laviolatte said. "He said he was very calm in there, very relaxed, and in complete control of that net and everything that went on around it. He was really strong."

Almost as strong as Philadelphia's special teams, which have dominated both games.

Philadelphia's first two goals came Tuesday Night - by Birere and Simon Gagne - came on the power play. On Sunday Night, Philadelphia scored a pair of power play goals and added another just one second after the expiration of another penalty. Overall, Philadelphia is 4-10 with the man advantage in this series. The Flyers also have successfully killed all 8 Montreal power play in the series.

"Special teams (were) the difference tonight," Montreal head coach Jacques Martin.

There could be an argument made the Montreal power play far better in Game 2 and would have had a chance to win if not the Philadelphia's power play prowess. In fact, it was an argument Montreal defensemen Hal Gill hinted at in the aftermath of the loss.

"It was an even game," Gill said. "Take away those (power play goals), do a little better job on the PK and we're right in."

But there is no taking away with those power play goals 0r the third period goals by Ville Leino that was the final nail on this night - especially because Birere and Gagne are the offensive engines during the Flyers at the moment.

Briere, who scored a pretty goal with a nice deke on Gill 4:16 into the game, has 18 points in his last 11 playoff games. Gagne, who returned from a broken right toe during the Bruins series, has six goals in as many outings, including his power-play swat past Jaroslav Halak 15:49 into the 2nd period. Yet, with all the good signs that popped out during the past 48 hours for the Flyers, they refuse to take anything fore-granted.

"We've been on the other side, and we know that until the other team closes the series it's not over," Gagne said. "For us, we did what we had to do here at home - get those two wins.

"But at the same time we have a lot of things we can improve our game, especially on 5-on-5. "We're up 2-0, but it doesn't mean anything. They're going back to Montreal and try to do the same thing that we did tonight."


Philadelphia Flyers Lead Series 2-0


Game Boxscore
www.nhl.com/ice/gamecenter.htm?id=2009030312

Montreal Canadiens 0 Philadelphia Flyers 3 (0-1, 0-1, 0-1)

0-1 PHI: Danny Briere (PP) (Giroux, Timonen) 4:16 1st

0-2 PHI: Simon Gagne (PP) (Leino, Richards) 15:49 2nd

0-3 PHI: Ville Leino (Krajicek, Pronger) 10:24 3rd


Series Schedule

Game 1: Montreal Canadiens 0 Philadelphia Flyers 6 (0-1, 0-3, 0-2)
www.nhl.com/ice/gamecenter.htm?id=2009030311

Game 2: Montreal Canadiens 0 Philadelphia Flyers 3 (0-1, 0-1, 0-1)

Game 3, 5/20: @ Montreal 7:00 PM EDT

Game 4, 5/22: @ Montreal 3:00 PM EDT

Game 5, 5/24*: @ Philadelphia 7:00 PM EDT

Game 6, 5/26*: @ Montreal 7:00 PM EDT

Game 7, 5/28*: @ Philadelphia 7:00 PM EDT

Stanley Cup Conference Finals Schedule and Preview

Here's a look at the Conference Finals Schedule which get underway today with both series get going. First it will be the Western Final as the top 2 seeds are left standing as the Sharks will host the Blackhawks at the HP Pavilion this afternoon. Then later tonight, it will be Philly hosting Montreal at 6:00 PM tonight as it's a Cinderella Conference Final as all the big dogs are gone.

All Start Times are CDT


Eastern Conference

#7 Philadelphia Flyers VS. #8 Montreal Canadians

Game 1, 5/16: @ Philadelphia 6:00 PM Versus, CBC, RDS

Game 2, 5/18: @ Philadelphia 6:00 PM Versus, CBC, RDS

Game 3, 5/20: @ Montreal 6:00 PM Versus, CBC, RDS

Game 4, 5/22: @ Montreal 3:00 PM NBC, CBC, RDS

Game 5, 5/24: @ Philadelphia 6:00 PM* Versus, CBC, RDS

Game 6, 5/26: @ Montreal 6:00 PM* Versus, CBC, RDS

Game 7, 5/28: @ Philadelphia 6:00 PM* Versus, CBC, RDS

*If Necessary


Philadelphia Flyers Scoring Leaders
Mike Richards 12 GP 17 PTS (5G 12A, +2)
Danny Birere 12 GP 15 PTS (7G 8A, +3)
Chris Pronger 12 GP 11 PTS (4G 7A, +3)

Philadelphia Flyers Goaltending
Brian Boucher 10 GP 6-4 2.33 GAA .915 SV%
Michael Leighton 3 GP 2-0 1.55 GAA .943 SV%

Philadelphia Flyers Full Stats: http://flyers.nhl.com/club/stats.htm


Montreal Canadains Scoring Leaders
Michael Cammalleri 14 GP 18 PTS (12G 6A,-1)
Brian Gionta 14 GP 12 PTS (7G 5A, -3)
Scott Gomez 14 GP 11 PTS (1G 10A, -3)

Montreal Canadians Goaltending
Jaroslav Halak 13 GP 8-5 2.42 GAA .933 SV%
Carey Price 3 GP 0-1 3.43 GAA .903 SV%

Montreal Canadians Full Stats: http://canadiens.nhl.com/club/stats.htm?gameType=3&season=20092010


Western Conference

#1 San Jose Sharks VS. #2 Chicago Blackhawks

Game 1, 5/16: @ San Jose 2:00 PM NBC, TSN, RDS

Game 2, 5/18: @ San Jose 9:00 PM Versus, TSN, RDS

Game 3, 5/21: @ Chicago 7:00 PM Versus, TSN, RDS

Game 4, 5/23: @ Chicago 2:00 PM NBC, CBC, RDS

Game 5, 5/25: @ San Jose 8:00 PM* Versus, CBC, RDS

Game 6, 5/27: @ Chicago 7:00 PM* Versus, CBC, RDS

Game 7, 5/29: @ San Jose 7:00 PM* Versus, CBC, RDS

*If Necessary


San Jose Sharks Scoring Leaders
Joe Pavelski 11 GP 15 PTS (9G 6A, +7)
Joe Thorton 11 GP 11 PTS (3G 8A, -6)
Dany Heatley 10 GP 11 PTS (2G 9A, -3)


San Jose Sharks Goaltending
Evgeni Nabokov 11 GP 8-3 2.43 GAA .907 SV%

Full San Jose Sharks Stats: http://sharks.nhl.com/club/stats.htm


Chicago Blackhawks Scoring Leaders
Jonathan Toews 12 GP 20 PTS (6G 14A, +4)
Patrick Kane 12 GP 15 PTS (7G 8A, +1)
Patrick Sharp 12 GP 14 PTS (5G 9A, +2)

Chicago Blackhawks Goaltending
Antti Nema 12 GP 8-4 2.57 GAA .909 SV%

Full Chicago Blackhawks Stats: http://blackhawks.nhl.com/club/stats.htm?gameType=3&season=20092010

Full more info on the Stanley Cup Conference Finals:

National Hockey League: www.nhl.com


Eastern Conference

Philadelphia Flyers: http://flyers.nhl.com

Montreal Canadains: http://canadiens.nhl.com


Western Conference

Chicago Blackhawks: http://blackhawks.nhl.com

San Jose Sharks: http://sharks.nhl.com

Philly completes the comeback to make history and advance to the Eastern Conference Finals

Philly did the hard way, but anyway you put it, they in to the Eastern Conference Finals after being only the 3rd team in league history to comeback from an 0-3 deficit. Just making to a Game 7 was impressive enough. What made it even better, was that they had to comeback from a 3-1 hole at the 1st intermission.

Boston thought they could cost to the Game 7 win and advance to play Montreal in the East Finals. But a pair of 2nd period goals by Scott Hartnell on a backhand shot, then Daniel Briere's 7th goal of the playoffs on a wrap around shot that was set up by Scott Hartnell near the midway point of the game which sent Flyers fans ablaze that were watching at the Wachovia Center rooting them on from Philly.

The 3rd period started with the Bruins looking to get back in it with the game tied at 3-3 but Flyers netminder by Leighton who's playing in his first NHL Playoff Run had another great game by stopping all 5, but some hairy shots that the Bruins offense gave them. Then a Too-Many-Men-on-the-Ice penalty would set up Simon Gange's power play goal with 7 minutes left to give the Flyers a 4-3 lead, that they would hold on to and complete the comeback both in the game, and in the series to win in 7 games.

The Flyers set up an underdog Eastern Conference Final as the 7th Seeded Flyers will host the Canadians starting tomorrow night at the Wachovia Center. Earlier in the day, it will be Game 1 of the Western Conference Final from San Jose as the Sharks will host the Blackhawks.


From Brian Compton of the the National Hockey League Website: www.nhl.com

The NHL vowed that history would be made in the 2010 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

On Friday Night, it was.

Simon Gagne capped an improbable rally for the Philadelphia Flyers when he broke a 3-3 tie via the power play with 7:08 remaining in regulation in a 4-3 win against the Boston Bruins in game 7 of this Eastern Conference Semifinals at the TD Garden Center.

Not only did the Flyers become the first team in 35 years to win a best-of-7 series after losing the first three games, but they also rallied from an early 3-0 deficit to win this decisive showdown. They have yet to lose since Gagne returned from a foot injury in time for Game 4.

"After Game 1, and even after 3-0 tonight, we could have quit." Gagne said. "We just said, Let's put one and you never knows what happen. We got a couple of goals to tie the game in the second, and after that the game in the second, and after that the game was right there for both teams. Fortunately, they took a penalty and we were able to score on the power play."

Not since 1991 had a team surrendering a three goal lead and lost a game 7, when the Calgary Flames suffered a 5-4 overtime defeat against the Edmonton Oilers. The New York Islanders were the last team to rally from an 0-3 deficit to win a series, in 1975 the NY Islanders; and the 1942 Toronto Maple Leafs were the only other teams to do so.

"We've been resilient all year, whetever it was injuries or putting ourselves in a bad position in the standings," captain Mike Richards said. "We've been though a lot together. Our mindset was that if we are going to go down, we were going down swinging."

Philadelphia, the #7 seed in the East, will have home-ice advantage in the Conference Final against the Montreal Canadians, who upset the Washington Capitals and Pittsburgh Penguins in back-to-back rounds. The Series gets underway on Sunday Night at what will surely be a raucous Wachovia Center.

Michael Leighton, who returned from injury in the series to replace an injured Brian Boucher, settled down after a rough start and finished with 22 saves. Tuukka Rask stopped 23 saves in the loss.

"I'm really proud of them I'm proud of the way they played," said Flyers coach Peter Laviolette said. "I'm proud of the way they represented the org. I'm proud of the way they represented themselves."

It truly was a loss of epic proportions for the Bruins, was held a 3-0 series lead and a 3-0 lead in Game 7. They couldn't hold on to it either.

"The killer instinct was missing," forward Mark Recchi admitted. "What are you going to do? Its over and we've got a long summer to think about it. It's disappointing."

Michael Ryder gave Boston the start it needed as he scored on the power play 5:27 into the game. Just 8 seconds after Flyers forward Scott Hartnell was penalized for high sticking, Ryder collected Zedno Chara's rebound at the right circle and ripped it past Leighton for his fourth goal of the playoffs.

Milan Lucic doubled the Bruins lead with another power-play goal at 9:02. A high sticking penalty on Danny Birere gave Boston its second advantage of the night, and the Bruins capitalized again as Lucic fourth goal of the postseason.

Lucic notched his second goal of the night at 14:10 of the first. With the teams at even strength, Lucic stripped Darroll Powe of the puck near the Bruins' blue-line and started a 2-on-1 with Marc Savard the other way. Lucic skated with the puck into the Flyers Zone and fired a wrist shot from the right circle past Leighton as the Bruins grabbed a 3-0 lead and seemed destined to advance to Round 3.

"We started the way we wanted to start it, Boston coach Claude Julien said. "We had lots of energy. We got a 3-0 lead."

"The Bottom line is, we had a 3-0 lead in the series. We had a 3-0 lead tonight. We blew both. There's no excuses. We have to take responsibility that goes with it. We had four tires at it and weren't able to do it."

The surrendering of the lead began when James Van Riemsdyk scored his first career playoff goal at 17:10 Miroslav Satan for the puck along the boards, Van Riemsdyk wristed a shot from the left circle that went off Mark Stuart's stick and trickled through Rask's pads.

"The message was, just score one goal," Laviolette said. "Get on the board, get in the game. That first goal was huge for me was huge."

The Flyers continued on the comeback trail as Hartnell scored just 2:49 into the 2nd period to make it 3-2. With the teams at even strength, Ville Leino came out from behind the net and backhanded a shot that Rask Denied. But the goaltender left a juicy rebound, and Hartnell was able to roof it over him and for his second goal of the playoffs.

"We didn't have the same jump. We backed off maybe a little bit," Rask said. "They came at us pretty hard to do. They played good hockey."

Briere tied at 8:31 on his seventh goal of the playoffs. Briere, who expressed his excitement for this Game 7 after the morning skate, took a nifty feed from Hartnell and sent one from behind the that went off of Matt Hunwick's skate and past Rask to tie the game at 3-3. Philadelphia had the first 7 shots of the 2nd period.

"I've said it all year and you guys laughed at me when I said I thought that we had a great playoff team," Briere said. "I just thought we had the same feeling that if we were able to start creating our own bounces, then we were able to come back in the series. I don't know if the other guys believed it, but I certainly did."

The Flyers had another potential goal waived off with 5:14 left in the 2nd period, when both Richards and Aaron Asham whacked at a loose puck in the crease. But replays concluded that it didn't cross the goal line and the game remained tied.

Each team hit the post in the third period. Chris Pronger's rocket from the point nearly gave the the Flyers the early 3rd period lead before Lucic denied a hat trick with 9 minutes left.

"We just sat back," Lucic said. We didn't keep going and that's why we lost."

The Flyers capitalized on a too-many-men-on-the-ice penalty at 11:10 of the third period, as Gagne collected Richards broken pass in the slot and roofed it over Rask's right shoulder gave Philadelphia a 4-3 lead. It was his 27th career playoff goal and one that will huant at Julien and the Bruins all summer long.

"They're been calling it all playoffs. nothing there has changed," Julien said. "We had a player come to the bench and had his stick up like he wanted to change. He changed his mind and we had the next center men jumping on. They call those. We'll leave it at that."


Philadelphia Wins Series 4-3, It will be the Flyers VS. Canadians in the Eastern Conference Finals which starts tomorrow night in Philadelphia.

Game Boxscore

Philadelphia Flyers 4 Boston Bruins 3 (1-3, 2-0, 1-0)

0-1 BOS: Michael Ryder (PP) (Recchi, Chara) 5:27 1st

0-2 BOS: Milan Lucic (PP) (Wideman, Boychuk) 9:02 1st

0-3 BOS: Milan Lucic (Unassisted) 14:10 1st

1-3 PHI: James Van Riemsdyk (Giroux) 17:12 1st

2-3 PHI: Scott Hartnell (Leino, Birere) 2:49 2nd

3-3 PHI: Danny Birere (Hartnell) 8:39 2nd

4-3 PHI: Simon Gagne (PP) (Richards, Leino) 12:52 3rd


Game Stats

SOG: PHI 27 BOS 25

PIM: PHI 6 Minutes on 3 Penalties BOS 6 Minutes on 3 Penalties

PP: PHI 1/3 BOS 2/3

Goalies: Michael Leighton 22 SVS on 25 Shots BOS Tukkaa Rask 23 SVS on 27 Shots

ATT: 17565

Stanley Cup Update: Montreal takes down Pittsburgh, while Philly forces a Game 7

It's officially going to be an underdog Eastern Conference Finals as the Montreal Canadians have elevated their status to giant killers as Montreal has knocked out both the Washington Capitals and the Pittsburgh Penguins as we will have a new Stanley Cup Champions.

And both of the teams that were in the Stanley Cup Finals have been knocked out as the Red Wings and Penguins have been in the Cup Finals the last two years.

Montreal went up 4-0 midway through the 2nd period as 4 different Canadiens scored as Brian Gionta, Dominic Moore, Michael Calmmalleri and Travis Moren who scored on the penalty kill as the Penguins just looked lifeless thanking that they were to waltz in to Game 7 and win pretty easily and advance to the Eastern Conference Final getting home ice advantage either against the Boston Bruins or the Philadelphia Flyers.

This game was all Montreal in way more then the scoreboard, Pittsburgh Superstars like Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Marc-Andre Fleury had horrible nights. Not even when Chris Kunitz and Jordan Staal made it 4-2 in the 2nd period to turn around Game 7 and have some hope to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals.

After Fleury gave up the 4th goal of the night, the team made a goaltender change by putting Brent Johnson at the 5 minute mark of the 2nd period. He stopped just 9 of 13 shots in the game to see his season come to an end.

Pittsburgh was finally able to get their game going as they were able out-shot the Pens. 18-3 in the 3rd period. But Montreal Goalie Jaroslav Halak made a great 18 saves to stop 38 of 39 for the game in total. To officially end the Penguins season, Brian Gionta scored exactly halfway through the period to win the game 5-2 as the Canadians will now await the winner of the Boston VS. Philadelphia Game 7 tomorrow night after the Flyers won Game 6 2-1 to force a Game 7.

Boston VS. Philadelphia was more of a physical game as the Flyers made it 2-0 to hang on in the 3rd period. As for the goaltender performance as Flyers Goalie Michael Leighton made his first career Stanley Cup Playoff Start by making 30 of 31 shots in a start to remember. After Boston won the first 3 games, it looked like the Bruins were going to make this a quick series.

However, the Flyers have comback by outscoring the Bruins 11-5 in the last 3 games. These included a 5-4 OT Win in Game 4, then keeping the Bruins to just 1 goal in the last 2 games as Flyers goalies Michael Leighton stopping 52 of 53 shots in the last 2 games to tie the series at 3.

It was a pair of unlikely sources that helped score for the Flyers in this game as Mike Richards and Danny Birere each scored on a wrist and snap shots from close in to make 2-0 Flyers late in the 2nd period.

After going up 2-0, it was Tukka Rask time as the Bruins goalie was looking to keep them in the game, and it almost worked as Milan Lucic scored in the final minute of a Fluery with the extra attacker to make it 2-1. However, after that, they couldn't muster an overtime mark to force overtime and the Flyers are looking to comeback from a 3-0 deficit.

Regardless who plays in the Eastern Conference Finals, it will be a battle of underdogs as the 8th Seeded Canadians will play either the #6 Seeded Bruins or the #7 Seeded Flyers in the Conference Finals.

As for the Western Conference Finals, the NHL is waiting for both series to get official after tomorrow's game to determine when the Conference Finals get underway either this weekend or early next week. Expect the Western Conference Finals to start up first as the Sharks have been off since May 8 when they beat the Red Wings. While Chicago ousted Vancouver on Tuesday Night.

Also if Boston wins tomorrow, we will guarantee ourselves at-least one Original 6 Team. If the Blackhawks make the Stanley Cup Final as well. It would mark the first time since 1979 when Montreal beat the NY Rangers in 5 games to win the series and the Stanley Cup. In addition to the Original 6 Hopes, The Canadians will look to become the first Canadian Team since 1993 when the Canadiens beat the NY Rangers.

Both the NHL & AHL are off tonight as the Texas Stars & Hamilton Bulldogs will play Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals tomorrow night. Then tomorrow night is Game 7 of Flyers VS. Bruins with the winner hosting the Montreal Canadians in the Eastern Conference Finals.

With the Green Bay Gamblers winning the USHL Clark Cup last night, the Memorial Cup ends the Junior Season which will get underway tomorrow night as Tournament Host Brandon Wheat Kings will take on the defending Memorial Cup Champions Windsor Spitfires in the tournament opener.

It was also announced that the Brandon Wheat Kings will wear special jerseys for the tournament opener on Friday. After this game, the jerseys will be sold via an online auction which will benefit the Canadian Military.

Here's more on the Jerseys: www.mastercardmemorialcup.com/news.php?id=1475&y=2010


Last night's Games

Montreal Canadians 5 Pittsburgh Penguins 2 (2-0, 2-2, 1-0)
www.nhl.com/ice/gamecenter.htm?id=2009030217

Montreal VS. Pittsburgh Game Story: www.nhl.com/ice/recap.htm?id=2009030217

Montreal wins the Series 4-3 and will advance to play either Boston or Philadelphia in the Eastern Conference Final.


Boston Bruins 1 Philadelphia Flyers 2 (0-1, 0-1, 1-0)
www.nhl.com/ice/gamecenter.htm?id=2009030226

Boston VS. Philadelphia Game Story: www.nhl.com/ice/recap.htm?id=2009030226

Series Tied 3-3, Game 7 will be on Thursday Night.


Upcoming Schedule (All Start Times are CDT)

NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs

5/14, Game 7: Philadelphia Flyers VS. Boston Bruins 6:00 PM


AHL Calder Cup Playoffs

5/14: Game 1: Texas Stars VS. Hamilton Bulldogs 6:30 PM

5/15: Game 2: Manchester Monarchs VS. Hershey Bears 6:00 PM


Memorial Cup Tournament

5/14: RR Game 1: Windsor Spitfires VS. Brandon Wheat Kings 7:00 PM