A furious first period was just the start of a wild Game 5 that sent blood pressure spiking for fans on both sides of the ice.
Ultimately, the game would go to the Blackhawks, 7-4, to once again give them the lead in the series. The Hawks now lead 3 games to 2 as they head back to Philadelphia.
First Period
The high-scoring first period rocketed the Blackhawks to a 3-0 lead against Philadelphia.
First, it was Brent Seabrook. With less than 8 minutes left, he shot a bullet through Chris Pronger's skates. Moments later, on a delayed penalty, the Blackhawks put a shot on the goal. Behind the net, Dave Bolland got the rebound and put it in off Michael Leighton's skate to make it 2-0.
Then, a Blackhawks rush to the goal saw Kris Versteeg slap one in with under 2 minutes to go. The first period came to an end with Philadelphia just trying to hold the puck away from the Hawks, who outshot the Flyers 13-7.
Second Period
But the second period was a different story. Thirty-two seconds in, Philly's Scott Hartnell laid one in to a wide-open goal behind Niemi, making it 3-1.
Then, with just over 16 minutes, Patrick Kane returned the favor, finishing off a hard-work pass from Andrew Ladd to make it 4-1.
Then, Philly did it again. Kimmo Timonen went high on Niemi who was already down to make it 4-2 with about 15 minutes remaining.
Sports
With 4:12 remaining and a Blackhawks power play on after Chris Pronger got called for hooking, the Hawks' Dustin Byfuglien finished off a charge to make it 5-2. When the period ended minutes later, the Hawks were also leading shots on goal 21-17.
Third Period
Philly was fighting for its life as the third period got under way. And fight they did. With just over 13 minutes remaining, their James van Riemsdyk beat Niemi, making it 5-3.
Then, with about 3:50 remaining in the game, Patrick Sharp laid one in during a charge to give the Hawks some padding, making it 6-3. It was Sharp's third goal of the Stanley Cup Finals, and his 10th of this playoffs. But a quick return goal from Philly made it 6-4, and quickened everyone's pulse. Then Philly pulled their goalie, and a beauty shot from center ice by Byfuglien slid right in, making it 7-4. And there it would stay.
Game 6 is Wednesday night at 7 p.m. Central.
