The Flyers couldn't muster much offense tonight against the Chicago Blackhawks as they drop Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Finals 2-1.
The 2nd period ended up ruining the Flyers chances at pulling this one out. Specifically a 28-second span in the 2nd where the Blackhawks scored two goals and never looked back.
The bad news is that the Flyers are now down 2-0 in the series and can only at best manage a split if they win both games at the Wachovia Center.
The good news is that the Flyers are finally coming home and will definitely be energized by being back on South Broad Street and in front of fans who have been waiting for Stanley Cup action since 1997.
The Flyers have to remember that they've seen much worse situations than this one. Just two rounds ago, they were on the brink of elimination four times and in Game 7 were down 3-0.
But the Chicago Blackhawks are a vastly superior team to the Boston Bruins.Leighton definitely held his own tonight and performed much better than he did in Game 1 and was in far better control. He didn't let those fateful 28 seconds in the 2nd period destroy his confidence and played well after the two goals by Marian Hossa and Former Flyer Ben Eager. Leighton finished with 24 saves on the evening.
The Flyers were much better on defense tonight and responded in the 3rd period by scoring a goal and really controlling the ice in front of the Blackhawks net getting 14 shots on goal in the 3rd period. But Blackhawks goalie Antti Niemi was up to the challenge stopping 13 out of 14 attempts and making 32 saves on the night.
The Flyers aren't out of it yet, but a loss in Game 3 on Wednesday in Philadelphia would put the Flyers in yet another 3-0 deficit and I don't think the Flyers can shock the hockey world twice.
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