The Hawks head into Philly for Game 3 with a 7 game road win streak on the line. That streak was broke in a tough loss that allowed the Flyers back into this series.

This was a strange game filled with bad calls, bad turnovers, bad rebounds, bad bounces an deflections.

The first Philly goal was set up by a nice blind back door pass from Hartnell, but the play was held in the Hawks zone after a weak clearing attempt up the middle. The second goal, Hartnell deflected a shot from the slot that squeaked through Niemi’s pads. The third goal to force OT was off a rebound. As for the game winner, another deflection off Giroux as he was flying by the net. Not much Niemi could do on any of those.

As for Leighton, Duncan’s goal was a deflection off a Flyer’s stick. The other goals, Leighton was beat cleanly (Sopel slapper off the faceoff win and Kaner’s breakaway goal). Leighton was outplayed by Niemi.

Philly outskated the Hawks and played with desperation. At times, the Hawks looked tired. The PP kill to open the 2nd period looked sluggish. They were also careless in their own end, often failing to clear the zone, giving the Flyers second opportunities. The Hawks needed to continue hitting and finishing their checks, which seemed to drop off once the adrenaline wore down.

The officiating for this game was pure crap. At the end of the first period, as both teams gather in a 10 man scrum, how is one penalty for roughing given to Buff? The consistency between what was let go, what was called and what was missed was garbage. Buff also got a slashing call, but in the same sequence, it started out with Pronger giving Buff a crosscheck to the back. I am not sure who Pronger has pictures of, but what that guy gets away with is something to watch. I am in no way blaming the loss on officiating, as the Hawks should have played through it better than allowing two power play goals. Chicago’s special team at both end failed them. The PK went 33% and the PP was 0-3.

Kane was skating well and was back on his game, but Toews has been very quiet. Same with Richards, the largely touted matchup between the 2 Olympic linemates has had no heat. I wouldn’t say they have been non-factors, but their contributions have been minimal.

So, we know this series will find its way back to the UC on Sunday, but will Philly force a game 6?

Game 2 and another exciting matchup. This time, Philly came out flexing its physical play, and the Hawks matched them. With hack goon Dan Carcillo returning to the line up, the physical intensity ramped up. Carcillo was out chirping and taking runs when he could. The Hawks responded well, not shying away from the Flyers. This was the first period’s style of play.

In the second, the physical play wore down and the Hawks controlled the play. Late in the second, the Hawks opened things up. In a span of :28 seconds, the game opened up with 2 Blackhawk goals (Hossa and Eager). Hossa finally ended a scoring drought, scoring on a rebound. Eager ripped a nice wrist shot from the circle that beat Leighton high.

Third period, and the Hawks dodged bullets. Philly picked up their game, playing their best period of hockey in this series. They had sustained pressure and puck possession as the Hawks were scrambling in their own zone. This is when Niemi stepped up to the challenge. He didn’t face much in the first half of the game. He did face a ton of rubber in the second half, as the Hawks were out shot 15-4 in the 3rd period. Neimi’s performance in the 3rd may have stole this game for the Hawks.

For a team whose weakness was between the pipes, Antti Niemi has been making a name for himself. It has been reported that Coach Laviolette is resorting to verbal/mental attacks on rookie goalie Niemi. Laviolette went on to imply that carrying the weight of Chicago’s hopes may be too much for Niemi, a rookie who took over the starting position in midseason. This would be the same goalie that has he most playoff wins this season with 14 (as opposed to Leighton’s 6 wins). This would be the same unflappable goaltender that went 26-7-4. Maybe Laviolette should be more concerned about his goaltending. Leighton was 3rd in the depth chart, behind Emery and Boucher) after being picked up off waivers. A goalie who has never held onto a starters role between the pipes. A goalie that has only played 10 playoff games, yet has been described as the experienced goalie. Being the first NHL playoff exposure for either player, Niemi has started in all 18 playoff games (14-4-0).

The top lines still have not found the back of the net. Kane has been quiet in this series. Toews has played a good 2-way game, and dominated Game 1 in the face off circle (75%), but that line just cant seem to get things going.

Post game from Game 2, Chris Pronger pulled a dick move by grabbing the game puck at the final whistle. This appears to be just so the Hawks couldn’t skate away with the game puck. Once in the locket room, he threw the puck in the garbage. Why? To get in the heads of the Blackhawks? Ben Eager confronted him after the final whistle and both players received a 10 minute misconduct with no time on the clock.

Philly is also confident their return home will be the start of the 0-2 comeback.. Ironically enough, with the Hawks road record in the playoffs, they may also be happy the game is on the road.