Blackhawks vs. Flyers Stanley Cup report card
PHILADELPHIA - Report card on the Chicago Blackhawks and Philadelphia Flyers for Game 6 of the Stanley Cup final on Wednesday (with grades out of 10):
Chicago Blackhawks
Goaltenders
Antti Niemi: Let in two of first nine shots, then beaten on wild deflection in third. 5.
Defencemen
Duncan Keith: Hustled to make play on opening goal, fell on Briere goal, but starred for big minutes. 8.
Brent Seabrook: Physical two-way game, probably his best road game of final. 7.
Niklas Hjalmarsson: Took a big hit from Hartnell early, made shot on Ladd's go-ahead goal. 6.
Brian Campbell: Did the job moving puck. 5.
Brent Sopel: Took two interference penalties in first period, had spotty moments on defence. 4.
Nick Boynton: Took the body, tough in front in limited ice time. 5.
Forwards
Jonathan Toews: Set the tone with first shift, winning draws and pressuring the net. Quick to the puck all game. Set up first goal. 8.
Patrick Kane: A wizard with the puck, sustaining pressure in Flyers zone. Sweet play on OT game-winner. 9.
Dustin Byfuglien: Camped in front for opening goal, while Pronger was off. 6.
Patrick Sharp: Scored and was consistently firing at the net. 7.
Marian Hossa: Made one neutral zone mistake, but otherwise a strong two-way game. 7.
Troy Brouwer: Skated well on fourth line. 5.
Andrew Ladd: Added size and speed when he returned from injury, and tipped in go-ahead goal. 6.
Dave Bolland: Big on the forecheck, set up Sharp goal. 6.
Kris Versteeg: Used speed to advantage. 5.
Tomas Kopecky: Another gritty game making room for Toews and Hossa. 6.
Ben Eager: Hardly played. 5.
John Madden: Used sparingly, no mistakes. 5.
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Philadelphia Flyers
Goaltenders
Michael Leighton: Kept his team in the game in 17-shot first period. Best game of final by far, until weak overtime goal. 8.
Defencemen
Chris Pronger: Took minors twice in first period, then got back to tough, thorough defence. 8.
Matt Carle: On for two Chicago goals, but each time with a third defence pair partner. 6.
Kimmo Timonen: Played power play and penalty killing with Pronger, left behind on game-winner. 5.
Braydon Coburn: Was man in front on Byfuglien goal. 5.
Lukas Krajicek: Got an assist, but otherwise shaky on defence. 4.
Oskars Bartulis: Chicago had big pressure in the little time he played. 4.
Forwards
Mike Richards: Always the same in the final, good effort, no performance. Something was off, health or otherwise. 5.
Simon Gagne: Another whose play cooled considerably in the final. 5.
Jeff Carter: Not the same offensive threat after returning from foot injury. 5.
Scott Hartnell: Nailed Toews and Keith on the same shift, got a goal not long after, then had tying goal go in off foot. 8.
Claude Giroux: Played with energy, created chances. 6.
Danny Briere: Scored, got two assists, played hard. 8.
James van Riemsdyk: Used his size, replaced Carter on top line for a spell. 5.
Ville Leino: Perhaps Flyers best forward both ways. Hustle produced tying goal late in third. 9.
Ian Laperriere: Saw little ice time. No impact. 4.
Darroll Powe: A revelation in the playoffs. Hard-working, no mistakes, but also no offence. 5.
Blair Betts: Uncharacteristically off in faceoff circle. 4.
Arron Asham: Usual battling, grinding game. 5.
