Who Knew a Heart Attack Could be So Much Fun

In one of the most apprehensive two-goal victories in Philadelphia Flyers' history, the orange and black defeated the Chicago Blackhawks 5-3 last night at the Wachovia Center to even the Stanley Cup Finals 2-2.

Flyer Captain Mike Richards (1 G) had to perform a heist to get his team started. After the Blackhawks (on the penalty kill) won a face off in their zone, Niklas Hjalmarsson (-1) was skating behind the net with the puck. Richards snuck up, picked Hjalmarsson's pocket, and immediately put the puck past an unsuspecting Antti Niemi (26 saves, 4 GA). Hjalmarsson filed a police report against Richards during the first intermission alleging theft.

A strange phenomenon occurred after play resumed following Richards' goal; the crowd of 20, 304 were practically silent with nerves. Their stress despite the advantage was understandable. No lead had been safe in these Cup Finals as neither team in victory thus far had been able to get some breathing room on the scoreboard. The Philly fans were locked in on this game, where a victory meant a new series and defeat would bring the odds against their team.

Ten minutes later Hjalmarsson, who was trying to be one of Philly's Three Stars (two unofficial assists), was attempting to clear the puck from his team's crease when he handed it directly to Matt Carle (1 G, +2, 4 BS) on the doorstep. Carle had no other choice but to put the puck in the net, and the crowd exhaled as if they were hanging with Whitney Houston and Angela Bassett.

Of course the stress was not over for Flyer fans, or the Flyers for that matter.

In the third period the Flyers put themselves up by 3 goals when Ville Leino (1 G, +1) shot the puck off of Kris Versteeg's (-1) rump and it ricocheted past Niemi .

Cue furious Chicago rally.

A power play goal by Dave Bolland (1 G, -2) brought Chi-town to within two. By the way it was three on five so they HAD to score or team morale would have died. Then Brian Campbell (1 G, 2 BS) took advantage of traffic in front of Michael Leighton (31 saves, 3 GA) to bring the Blackhawks to within one goal, and once again stress levels were high.

The scariest moment came when a puck played toward the Philly net by Chicago went off the skate of Braydon Coburn (-2) and hit the post rather than go into the net. Acknowledging the seriousness of that moment, Coburn threw his stick down and put his gloves on the puck.

And a lot of guys in the stands were probably wishing they brought backup underwear.