Goaltending Proves To Be Chicago's "Antti"-dote Against Loss In Game 2

Chicago- Goaltending proved to be the surprising theme in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Finals as the Chicago Blackhawks topped the Philadelphia Flyers 2-1 to take a 2-0 series lead.  The first period was played with a defensive tempo as the Hawks would outshoot the Flyers 9-3.

The second period was decidedly different as each team would trade offensive surges throughout.  Chicago would score 2 goals in a 28 second span from forwards Marian Hossa and Ben Eager respectively.  For Hossa, it was just his 3rd goal of the playoffs yet it was also his 3rd point in the first 2 games of the finals (1G 2A 3PTS).  The line of Hossa-Brouwer-Sharp proved to be a handful for the Flyers defense at various times throughout the first two periods.

Philadelphia took the game over in the third period outshooting Chicago 15-4.  Flyers forward Simon Gagne scored his 8th goal of the playoffs on a power play 5:20 into the period to rally his team.

After the goal, Blackhawks goaltender Antti Niemi stole the show by bailing out his defense with one acrobatic save after another earning 32 saves on the night.  The Flyers put their faith back in goalie Michael Leighton after pulling him in Game 1 for allowing 5 goals on 20 shots.  Leighton would reward Flyers Coach Peter Laviolette's decision to start him by turning away 24 of 26 shots.

The Blackhawks have now won 7 straight playoff games and 10 of their last 11.  Hawks superstar forwards Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews were both held pointless for the second straight game.