Flyers flip the script on Kane, Blackhawks

Share

Updated: Thursday, Jan. 5 at 9:24 p.m.

The first scoring opportunities the Philadlephia Flyers were getting were one thing. The second and third opportunities were quite another. The Chicago Blackhawks gave up too manyor didnt clear awayenough of those. And it cost them.

James Van Riemsdyk scored twice, including the power-play game-winner with 32.8 seconds remaining in regulation, as the Flyers beat the Blackhawks 5-4 on Thursday night. It was the third loss in the last four games for the Blackhawks. Coach Joel Quenneville called it a brutal, brutal loss.

The Blackhawks return to Philadelphia, where they won the Stanley Cup a season and a half ago, wasnt nearly as memorable. The Blackhawks had some good stretches, but gave up too many opportunities46 shots total.

And a team like Philadelphia is going to take advantage of that.

Were just not stopping in those dangerous areas, Jonathan Toews said. Were swooping through hoping to get offensive breaks go the other way on odd-man rushes. Were just swinging through areas and not stopping. You have to move your feet, stop and start. If youre lazy youre going to miss pucks and extra chances. (Ray Emery) did his job of stopping the first chances but we have to help him on the second ones.

The Blackhawks rookies had a memorable night, as Jimmy Hayes scored his second goal in as many games. Andrew Shaw, playing in his first NHL game, also scored his first career goal and fought with Flyers center Zac Rinaldo, an old sparring partner from their Ontario Hockey League days.

In net, Emery was indeed busy with those 46 shots. He had a solid game, all things considered, but didnt get enough help in front. The Blackhawks had to deal with a few penalty kills, including a Patrick Sharp double minor midway through the third period.

Despite all of that, the Blackhawks still just about forced overtime. Brent Seabrook scored as the second Sharp penalty expired, and Patrick Kane scored 25 seconds later to tie the game 4-4. But Kane went to the penalty box with 1:38 remaining in regulation, and Van Riemsdyk scored about a minute later.

Obviously we wouldve liked to get it into overtime and get a point out of it at least, Seabrook said. You give a team like that a bunch of power plays theyre going to capitalize on them. Theyve got some skilled forwards and they can put the puck in the back of the net. We have to stay out of the box.

The Blackhawks, meanwhile, did not have one power play on the night. Asked if he was frustrated at the lack of man advantages, Quenneville said, Im frustrated we didnt get it to overtime.

When the Blackhawks are smart, disciplined and defensively sound, theyre tough to beat. When theyre not, they have losses like this.

We know how good we can be, Toews said. Its just disappointing we dont come with that effort right away. The last couple of games it just hasnt been consistent enough.

Contact Us