Confident Flyers Know They Must Win in Chicago
The Windy City looked a lot like it did a week ago: the overcast skies threatened rain, and the thick air clung to all who ventured out of doors. But to the Flyers, it was a much different place from the one it was the last time they took the ice at the United Center.
Saturday, they arrived at the Madhouse on Madison with a new series ahead of them, tied with the Blackhawks at two wins each after sweeping a pair of games at the Wachovia Center. Look at it however you will, but the Flyers have the ‘Hawks off their game. The past two games mark the first time this postseason that Chicago has lost two in a row.
After being down 2-0 in the series after their first trip here, the Flyers now have momentum on their side. But now they must convert that momentum into a win on Blackhawk turf. “We knew at that point we had no choice in Philly but to go one game at a time,” Simon Gagne said. “And we were a confident team in Philly, we’re a tough team to beat in our building, and we knew that it was something we were able to do. … We knew that we had to come into our building and win those two games – and our team kind of responded a lot this year with those type of moments.”
one.
But to the Flyers, it was a much different place from the one it was the last time they took the ice at the United Center. Saturday, they arrived at the Madhouse on Madison with a new series ahead of them, tied with the Blackhawks at two wins each after sweeping a pair of games at the Wachovia Center.
Look at it however you will, but the Flyers have the ‘Hawks off their game. The past two games mark the first time this postseason that Chicago has lost two in a row. After being down 2-0 in the series after their first trip here, the Flyers now have momentum on their side. But now they must convert that momentum into a win on Blackhawk turf.
“We knew at that point we had no choice in Philly but to go one game at a time,” Simon Gagne said. “And we were a confident team in Philly, we’re a tough team to beat in our building, and we knew that it was something we were able to do. … We knew that we had to come into our building and win those two games – and our team kind of responded a lot this year with those type of moments.”
The Flyers have performed well under pressure all year – playing some of their best hockey when their backs are against a wall. Barely a press conference or postgame interview goes by without a reference to the final regular-season shootout win over the Rangers
They were desperate then, and found a way to win. They were desperate when they were down 3-0 to the Boston Bruins. They were desperate in Game 3 and Game 4 of this series in Philadelphia.
“There’s a lot of pressure when you lose a game or you lose a couple games,” Laviolette said. “You go home and you’re wondering if you’ll win the next game. It’s human nature more than anything else. Usually desperation kicks in at that point, so I’m going to expect Chicago is going to come with a pretty good game tomorrow night.
“We know that we’ve got to win here. We know we’ve got to put one in the books on the road. In Chicago for the second time in just a week, the Flyers are now the more confident team. They’re playing as good collectively as they have all year, and now they know they’re capable of beating the Blackhawks.
Saturday, they arrived at the Madhouse on Madison with a new series ahead of them, tied with the Blackhawks at two wins each after sweeping a pair of games at the Wachovia Center. Look at it however you will, but the Flyers have the ‘Hawks off their game. The past two games mark the first time this postseason that Chicago has lost two in a row.
After being down 2-0 in the series after their first trip here, the Flyers now have momentum on their side. But now they must convert that momentum into a win on Blackhawk turf. “We knew at that point we had no choice in Philly but to go one game at a time,” Simon Gagne said. “And we were a confident team in Philly, we’re a tough team to beat in our building, and we knew that it was something we were able to do. … We knew that we had to come into our building and win those two games – and our team kind of responded a lot this year with those type of moments.”
one.
But to the Flyers, it was a much different place from the one it was the last time they took the ice at the United Center. Saturday, they arrived at the Madhouse on Madison with a new series ahead of them, tied with the Blackhawks at two wins each after sweeping a pair of games at the Wachovia Center.
Look at it however you will, but the Flyers have the ‘Hawks off their game. The past two games mark the first time this postseason that Chicago has lost two in a row. After being down 2-0 in the series after their first trip here, the Flyers now have momentum on their side. But now they must convert that momentum into a win on Blackhawk turf.
“We knew at that point we had no choice in Philly but to go one game at a time,” Simon Gagne said. “And we were a confident team in Philly, we’re a tough team to beat in our building, and we knew that it was something we were able to do. … We knew that we had to come into our building and win those two games – and our team kind of responded a lot this year with those type of moments.”
The Flyers have performed well under pressure all year – playing some of their best hockey when their backs are against a wall. Barely a press conference or postgame interview goes by without a reference to the final regular-season shootout win over the Rangers
They were desperate then, and found a way to win. They were desperate when they were down 3-0 to the Boston Bruins. They were desperate in Game 3 and Game 4 of this series in Philadelphia.
“There’s a lot of pressure when you lose a game or you lose a couple games,” Laviolette said. “You go home and you’re wondering if you’ll win the next game. It’s human nature more than anything else. Usually desperation kicks in at that point, so I’m going to expect Chicago is going to come with a pretty good game tomorrow night.
“We know that we’ve got to win here. We know we’ve got to put one in the books on the road. In Chicago for the second time in just a week, the Flyers are now the more confident team. They’re playing as good collectively as they have all year, and now they know they’re capable of beating the Blackhawks.
