OK, fair enough. I missed the game but have seen similar games in soccer and football. Sometimes one soccer team is on the attack most of the time, or one football team gains way more yards than the other, but they just can't punch it in enough to win.
Oh, just a reminder to you and Charles -- only another week until the start of the World Cup <g>. The first period of Game 2 belonged to Chicago, but Philly was the strong team the rest of the way. Niemi played well. For the Flyers to win, they will need to continue to rattle Niemi, and they will also need to protect Leighton. For what seems like the millionth season in a row, Philly has a goaltender who is good but not great. For some reason, goaltenders come to Philly and give up soft goals. I remember when John Vanbiesbrouck came to Philly. Everyone thought he'd be a star and take the Flyers to the cup - well, he wound up being the king of the soft goal.
Here's the history of Flyer goalie misfortunes:
- Bernie Parent, eye injury in 1979 that ended his career (though he was getting old)
- Bob Froese - great in the regular season, choked in the post season...always
- Pelle Lindbergh, by 1985 he won a Vezina and was the best in the game....and died in a car crash
- Ron Hextall, never knew which was bigger, his intensity or the five-hole through which he surrendered hundreds of goals...a huge choker
- Garth Snow - strong as an ox, and almost as smart
- John Vanbiesbrouck - could make a ten-bell save on a breakaway....and then would surrender a wrist-shot from center ice
- Brian Boucher - an amazing run in 2000.....looked like the Flyers FINALLY found a solid franchise goalie...then wanted more money....then got injured...then got traded....then came back, then got injured
- Roman Cechmanek - good think he didn't speak much English, otherwise the other 80% of the team would have hated his guts as well.
- Robert Esche - see Brian Boucher
- Marty Biron - amazing what you can find in a garage sale
- Ray Emery - actually a bold move for Philly - and a smart one - right up until Emery messed up his hip and his groin
