The Cup is Up for Grabs
Marion Hossa from the Chicago Blackhawks scrambling the net and attempting to score on Philadelphia goaltender, Michael Leighton.
The 84th edition of the National Hockey League’s championship, the Stanley Cup Finals features two teams that have gone through extremely different journey’s to be given the right to fight for the NHL’s top prize.
Over the years, the Cup has seen exciting match-ups that keep the fans on their feet for a full 60 minutes and has provided excitement for more than the average fan. This year’s series has proven to be no different as both sports crazy cities are looking for their first Stanley Cup victory in over 30 years. Widely considered the favorite, the Chicago Blackhawks have steamrolled through the Western Conference playoffs taking out the top seeded San Jose Sharks in the Western Conference Finals and giving hope to a big market city that takes pride in the success of its hockey team.
Made up of a team of young talents who are quickly becoming the face of the NHL, the Blackhawks alone are a must watch team. On the other side of the puck, the Philadelphia Flyers (the Eastern Conference 7th Seed) have caught the eye of the sports world, barely sneaking into the playoffs and then with their incredible down 3-0 conference semifinals comeback against the Boston Bruins.
Famously known for their raucous fans, both cities have provide an excellent added blend of trash talking that cannot be matched anywhere else in sports. The Flyers grinding style of play against the Blackhawks speed has something for every sports fan to enjoy. Also, the 2010 Stanley Cup has given NHL officials plenty to promote. Is this the start of a new dynasty in Chicago? Will the Flyers skate to the history books?
Much like the style of play of both teams, the series has seen two differently played games in Chicago and ones that have seen the highest television ratings in Stanley Cup history. The first, a highly anticipated home game for the Blackhawks and one that had their United Center fans amped up for the first time since Jordan’s Bulls won their final championship in 1998, was full of scoring and high-paced offense that featured 5 first period goals and 11 overall. Keeping the fans on their feet and alert for the next goal gave both teams something to cheer about, but ended with a nail-biting victory for the Blackhawks. Game 1 lived up to the hype of what was bound to be a classic series. It made tickets for game 2 a hot commodity for fans across the hockey world.
After an exciting opening game, fans have been hooked on the exciting series and prompted the highest television ratings for any Stanley Cup game in game 2.The second of two home games to start the series for the Blackhawks had a much different storyline yet netted a similar result. The return of the gritty Dan Carcillo to the Flyers lineup also brought a return to the style of play that Philadelphia fans have known to love. Their defense first mentality and scrappy style of play was the storyline. Yet, with two second period goals that came 28 seconds apart, the Blackhawks jumped out to a lead that was never relinquished.
While Chicago still currently leads the series two games to one, it is clear that the momentum has shifted in the Flyers’ direction. As game 4 approaches, and Philadelphia fans are locked in, there is no doubt that the home team will come out with all of the fire power. The next game is undoubtedly the turning point in the series. Chicago could take game 4 and skate on their home ice in game 5 with the Cup on the line; or, Philadelphia could even up the series and travel to Chicago being clearly the stronger and more confident team.
Losing early is nothing new to this Flyers team as they were down 3-0 in their conference semifinals series in Boston before mounting a historic four game comeback. They don’t seem to lack confidence. Playing these two games at home could be the spark the Flyers are looking for and just may lead to another historic turn around, but this time, for the coveted Stanley Cup.
One Comments on “The Cup is Up for Grabs”
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