Hawks take 3-2 Series Lead
Having lost both games 3 and 4 seemingly had no effect on Chicago in game 5, as the Blackhawks came out and scored 3 1st period goals, on route to a 7-4 blowout win over the Flyers. With game 6 at the Wachovia Center Wednesday night the Flyers are now in a must win in order to keep their cup hopes alive down 3 games to 2.
Despite scoring 4 goals, missed opportunities sum up the Flyers offensively as both Danny Briere, and Ville Leino missed open net shots. A Scott Hartnell penalty led to Chicago's 1st goal 12 minutes into the 1st. 6 minutes later it was 3-0 Blackhawks, and the Flyers were forced to play catch up for the remainder of the game. Goaltender Michael Leighton was pulled after 1 in favor of Brian Boucher, but to no avail. Hartnell, Timonen, van Riemsdyk, and Gagne the goal scorers.
Defensively nothing seem to go right. Chris Pronger finished the night with a -5 plus/minus ratio. Flyers weren't able to come within 2 goals of the lead. They now return home for game 6 Wednesday night at 8 on 610wip. When asked if goalie Michael Leighton would be in net for game 6 coach Peter Laviolette said, " I don't have an answer for that".