Chicago Blackhawks-Philadelphia Flyers: Philly Back in the Series with OT Win

Chicago 3 Philadelphia 4 OT (Wachovia Center) Chicago leads SCF 2-1.

Game Three notes:

"Desperation was the key word, I think. It's almost do or die." —Claude Giroux

Until tonight, Giroux has been sleeping through the series. During his pregame nap, Giroux received a message from a buddy telling him he would score the winning goal in overtime. It was a prophetic text.

Philadelphia took advantage of a bad Chicago line change on the winning goal.

Jeff Carter, Mike Richards, and Simon Gagne struggled all night. Carter and Richards combined for six giveaways. Richards lost the faceoff to John Madden that resulted in the Blackhawks' second goal.

Scott Hartnell, Ville Leino, and Daniel Briere were the top line for the Flyers, scoring all three goals in regulation. Hartnell delivered six hits. Leino was the best Flyers player.

The turning point of the game, and maybe the Flyers' season, was Leino's goal, responding only 20 seconds after Chicago had taken a 3-to-2 lead.

Flyers' aggressive penalty-killing has been excellent. Chicago doesn't have a power-play goal in the series.

Michael Leighton allowed another soft goal but assistant coach Craig Berube reports that the Flyers did not consider pulling him.

Chicago's 11 goals have been scored by 10 different players.

Ian Laperriere removed the full shield and wore only a half visor.

For Philadelphia, it was their first win in a Stanley Cup Final since 1987.

It is puzzling that vicious crosschecks to the back are now fair play but breaking a fragile opponent's stick is a penalty.

Instant replay was used twice to get the calls right. It's unfortunate that it couldn't have been used to overturn the pathetic call by Jim Joyce.

It seems that it has become important to track the game puck. Tonight, Darroll Powe picked it up and handed it to Giroux.

The series continues in Philadelphia for Game Four on Friday.


Rocket's three stars

1. Ville Leino
2. Duncan Keith
3. Claude Giroux

Special mention: Patrick Kane

Player quotes from wire services were used in this report.


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