Not so sunny in Philadelphia: ‘Hawks edge Flyers 2-1, take 2-0 series lead

Two. For the first time since 1971, the Blackhawks are two wins away from bringing the Stanley Cup back to Chicago. While the ‘Hawks sure as hell haven’t won a damn thing yet, the feeling is incredible.

Analyze Game 1 and 2 all you want, but once the final horn sounds the only thing that counts is the scoreboard. The Flyers have scored six goals in the series, but have zero wins to show for it. A couple of “One Goal” games have the Blackhawks in control heading to Philadelphia. In fact, the ‘Hawks are coincidentally 5-0 in “One Goal” games in the 2010 playoffs. That’s what matters.

Here’s what I’ve got…

— Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane and Dustin Byfuglien all missed the score sheet again tonight. You know who cares? Not this guy. While I’m a tad vexed Toews went 13 straight games with a point but is scoreless for the first two games, Toews doesn’t have to carry this team every single night. If the only thing Toews lifts when this series ends is 35 points of silver, I’m a happy man.

— I watched Game 1 with a bunch of Red Wings fans, then listened to their bitterness regarding  Marian Hossa. I heard for roughly an hour how Hossa was brought into Detroit last season to specifically score goals against Pittsburgh in the Cup finals — something he didn’t do. Now, they all hate Hossa and placed a great deal of blame upon him for the Red Wings losing to the Penguins.

Needless to say, it was complete justification Hossa got on the board tonight with his first goal and third point of the 2010 Stanley Cup Final. It’s almost as if Hossa woke up in the middle of the night and knew some bitter Wings fans were talking shit and said to himself, “That’s it, I’m fucking scoring in Game 2.”

Done and done.

— Toews came into the series as the consensus leader for the Conn Smythe. If  Antti Niemi continues to put in performances like Game 2’s 33-save gem, the Finn may be getting some hardware. Giving up five goals in Game 1 wasn’t ideal, but he bounced back with some key saves and withstood the Flyers’ furious comeback attempt Monday in the third period. The Blackhawks once again played well in front of him, but Niemi is doing a hell of a lot all by himself in these playoffs.

— Finally, after nearly 75 minutes of apparently PERFECT hockey, Philadelphia got whistled for a penalty with 5:12 left in the first period which drew sarcastic cheers from the crowd at the UC. In Game 1, the Flyers were the first team since Boston in 1953 to play a flawless Stanley Cup game.

— Speaking of penalties, I want to know how Chris Pronger hasn’t been called for shit through these first two games. He even broke Byfuglien’s stick while battling him for position in front of the net tonight, and got away with it. He continuously cross-checks the shit out of everyone within site of him. I hope he rots in hell.

— Dan Carcillo and his so-called intangibles were supposed to make a difference tonight. The best thing he did all night? He checked the shit out of  Jeff Carter. Carter plays for the Flyers. Nice job, dickweed.

— I’ll say it:  Ben Eager has had a hell of a playoff run. He takes a lot of shit for being a bonehead half the time, but no one can ever question the kid’s effort. After scoring his goal in the second period, 28 seconds after Hossa’s, the excitement he displayed is what the Cup finals are all about. However, if I have to hear one more time how he used to play for the Flyers, I’m going to strangle myself. Taking it further, if I have to hear one more dipshit reporter ask him what it’s like to play against the Flyers in the Cup finals and/or have someone ask him what it’s like to score a goal against his former team, I’m going to hang myself with dental floss.

— Other than getting faked out of his strap at one point,  Brent Sopel played a heck of a game tonight. He made some nice checks, moved the puck fairly well and got a few more bruises by blocking shots. Like Eager, he takes a lot of shit. Overall, Sopel’s been a rock in these playoffs.

— Chicago is buzzing with this series lead, and rightfully so. But also acknowledge what I said before the series started: The ‘Hawks will win this series, but it won’t be easy. Philadelphia has proved it can compete in this series and won’t be pushovers like 80 percent of the hockey world thought. The Flyers don’t seem all that concerned with improving their play heading into Game 3. Both of these games could’ve gone either way with a couple bounces.

— With all that being said the Flyers should probably consider winning Game 3, or else they’re pretty much:

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