Welcome To Game Six!

Pronger takes the first penalty of the game…teehee. The Flyers just don’t look like their heads are in the game. They’re not playing horrible but there’s no energy so far. Buff Daddy with a power play goal to put the Hawks up 1-0 with less than 5 minutes to go. Hawks follow that up by going to the penalty box themselves. The Flyers buzz the net but they get no shots on goal. With one minute left Hartnell scores on the Flyers 3rd power play to tie it with 20 seconds left in the first period. Will the Flyers regain consciousness and come out ready to play in the second period?


I’m just going to shut up now and let the game play out…every time I open my mouth the Flyers come out and make me eat my words. What a play by Hartnell to score on the turnover – grrrr, an assist to Pronger. Total garbage call on Hossa for goaltender interference to negate their power play for 40 seconds but Patrick Sharp gets the puck from Bolland and scores to tie it up again. The Flyers are struggling again, even while on the power play. The Hawks are shorthanded but controlling the puck the Flyers end. Hartnell is delivering big hits and blocking big shots but still the Hawks are dominating the game. Chicago has 25 shots, Philly has 11 at this point. Make that 26 shots by the Hawks as Ladd tips it in for the 3-2 lead with just under 4 minutes left in the second period. The Flyers are falling apart here, taking another penalty with under 2 minutes to go. Chicago will come back in the third still on the power play…and that’s all I’m saying for now.


Third period starts off with the Flyers killing off the rest of the penalty. Chicago continues to dominate. Philly has zero shots on goal this period and we’re at the 13 minute mark. It’s not that they Flyers haven’t driven to the net, but the Hawks are playing better in front of Niemi. I’m clock-watching now and there’s way too much hockey left. I just want this sooo bad for Chicago. Wow, Niemi actually held onto a puck instead of bouncing out a rebound. Crap, less than a minute since the last time I looked. OMG – Niemi just got friggin’ lucky on a just-wide shot by Briere. Flyers coming on strong now. Under 7 minutes to go. Come on, Chicago – clear the zone! I’m yelling at the t.v., because that works, right? Another shot on goal for the Flyers with Niemi holding the puck. Under 5 minutes and I’m a wreck due to Philly deciding to show up NOW, of all times and Nooooooooooo…Flyers tie the game. Now here comes the Flyers on a 3 on 2. Chicago falling apart now, just icing the puck time and time and time again. Finally, timeout for Chicago to catch their breath at the 1:22 mark. It works in that the Hawks finally clear their zone and drive to the Flyers net. The clock ticks down, Hossa gets one more shot off but we’re heading to overtime.


I’m going to have a heart attack – it’s like watching the Wild self destruct. Huge turnover by Duncan Keith and by the grace of the hockey gods, Niemi keeps the game alive. I think the Flyers have more shots on goal in these first two minutes of overtime than they’ve had in the 60 minutes of regulation. Chicago finally gains control and into the Flyers zone they go. Kane takes an unlikely shot from the wide right side of the net that goes in so fast you can barely make it out on the slow motion replay. HAWKS WIN THE CUP!! First time in 49 years, way to go Chicago! Bettman booed – one of my favorite things. Conn Smythe trophy goes to Toews. Here comes the CUP – I have goosebumps on my arms and tears in my eyes. Chicago fans deserve this. How can you not be happy for this young team? Okay, I’m not that happy for Marian The-Team-Hopper Hossa. John Madden’s 3rd Cup, Duncan Keith giving up 7 teeth, Ben Eager getting the cup over his former team.  Congratulations, Hawks!