Mattie T’s Game 1 Recap of the 2010 Stanley Cup Finals
Written by The Go-To-Man Mattie T. on May 30, 2010
There were no goals or assists from Patrick Kane, Dustin Byfuglien or Jonathan Toews.
There were no power plays for the entire game against the most penalized team in the NHL.
Yet, the Chicago Blackhawks still found a way to win a crazy Game 1.
Tomas Kopecky was the unsung hero, as his game-winning goal with 8:25 left in the 3rd period lifted the Blackhawks to a 6-5 win over the Philadelphia Flyers.
Kopecky wasn’t even supposed to be starting, but was needed after Andrew Ladd got hurt during the Western Conference Semifinals against San Jose.
Philadelphia already has a developing storyline that will be interesting for Monday’s Game 2, as starting goalie Michael Leighton was pulled in favor for backup Brian Bouchner, who allowed Kopecky’s game-winner.
Antti Niemi was able to settle down after a shaky 2 periods of action & wound up with 27 saves, as he surpassed Ed Belfour for the most wins by a goalie in a single postseason with 13.
Saturday night’s game snapped a 37-year streak between wins, as the Blackhawks’ last Stanley Cup Finals victory was on May 8th, 1973 against Montreal.
Game 2 is scheduled for Monday evening at 7pm from the United Center.
