Series Tied

When Ville Leino made it a 4-1 Flyers lead in the 3rd period, I figured my heart could finally relax and not get all worked up like it had been for the past 3 games. Boy was I wrong.

A 5-on-3 set up by a bizarre unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on Scott Hartnell led to a Blackhawks goal. A few minutes later they score again and all of a sudden the cozy 3-goal lead was down to a 1-goal lead and yet another frantic finish ensued.

Duncan Keith may be a very good, very tough defender, but he does have a weakness. He is a turnover machine, especially in the neutral zone. Up 4-3 in the final minute of the game, Jeff Carter took advantage of a Duncan Keith turnover and turned it into a breakaway empty net goal that clinched the game for the Flyers.

It was not easy. It was not always easy to watch. But the Philadelphia Flyers got the job done and this compelling best of 7 series for the Stanley Cup has now turned into a best of 3 series. These teams have been so evenly matched it is hardly funny. The home team has won every game in this series, but more remarkably so, the combined goal differential in all 4 games is Flyers +1. Every game has come down to the wire and every game has been thrilling, exciting hockey. Now if only I did not have such a vested interest in this series, perhaps I might be enjoying it a little bit more. Though if the Flyers win, I think I will enjoy it more than anybody.

Ville Leino just continues to impress. His game-winning goal may have been a fluke bounce off of Versteeg, but after getting hammered by Campbell in the opening period, Leino took some time in the locker room to get a breather before coming back onto the ice and with a renewed intensity. Not to mention his vision with the puck is beyond fantastic. Leino has now broken the franchise record once held by Brian Propp for most points scored by a rookie in a post-season. Yes, Leino did play in the playoffs last year for Detroit, but somehow he is still considered a rookie this year. Don't ask how, it is just the way it is.

And now the series heads back to Chicago, tied at 2. It has become best of 3. Game 5 will merely determine what team will have a shot at claiming Lord Stanley's Cup in Game 6 at the Wachovia Center. And really, those are the only 2 things that are certain in this series at this point. There will at least be a Game 6, and the Stanley Cup will be live on site at the Wachovia Center on Wednesday, June 9, 2010. The Flyers have the confidence and the momentum needed heading into Game 5. The question now is can they turn that into a series lead on Sunday?

In case you missed it or want to relive the action, here are the highlights from Game 4.