Stanley Cup Watch After Game 2

What more can one say about Antti Niemi and his game after the Chicago Blackhawks turned back a strong challenge by the Philadelphia Flyers, 2-1, last night in Chicago.

His shortcomings were few, and the way he weathered the surge at the end should give Flyers reason to wonder what more they can do on offense to win this series.



Placing Ben Eager in the spot of Patrick Kane was a brilliant move by Joel Quenneville, who told reporters after the game that he wanted to insert some energy at that moment. Energy, a funny but perfectly employable word when you want to say that you need somebody who will take a straight path to the net rather than fancy Dan to one side and pull a fadeaway when presented with a challenge.

Mr. Kane, take a seat. Chicago Blackhawks, advance one step closer to the Stanley Cup.



This puts the next move in the Flyers' hands. These two teams are not that far apart, and yet a two-game lead in the Cup finals can loom large in the eyes of teams that do not understand what it takes to come back.

The Flyers are not that team. It is up to Coach Peter Laviolette to fine tune his plan to get his team ready for two dates at home. After a few words from him, you will find the spreadsheet bookwork for Game 2 and another "Coach's Corner" with Don Cherry from the CBC.



NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE
Stanley Cup Finals
Best of 7
At Chicago 2, Philadelphia 1
(Chicago leads, 2-0)
Recap is here.
Three stars by Puck Daddy.