Ice Hockey: Blackhawks take first 2010 Stanley Cup Finals game in 11-goal thriller

May 30, 2010 In ice hockey, scored the game-winning goal for the Chicago Blackhawks 8:25 into the third period to lift the Blackhawks over the  in Game 1 of the  Saturday night in Chicago, United States. The game started exciting, with five goals each in the first two periods, but Kopecký's game-winner was the sole third-period goal.

opened the scoring for the Flyers at the 6:38 mark of the first period with Chicago's answered back just 68 seconds later. After teammate was sent off for slashing, Chicago's  scored a short-handed goal to but the Blackhawks ahead. Six minutes later, was sent off for high-sticking and the Flyers converted on the power play with  lighting the lamp for Philadelphia. put the Flyers 3–2 up going into the first intermission with just 27 seconds left in the period.

With the second period just 71 seconds old, evened the score at three. Blackhawk was sent off for boarding at the 4:59 mark, but the Flyers could not extend their lead, ending up converting one of their four power plays ( was sent off for cross checking early in the first period). gave the Flyers their final lead of the game with a shot at the 7:20 mark of the period. The Blackhawks' responded two minutes later and at 15:18 mark  the Brouwer completed his three-point night with his second goal. Philadelphia's evened the score at five a-piece to complete the period.

The third period was a relatively quiet one, with just 14 shots compared to to 26 and 24 shots in the first two periods, respectively. Each team had 32 shots. Kopecký's goal was the lone action as the Slovak national slipped the puck past Flyers goalkeeper, who had 11 saves in 24 minutes on the ice. Boucher replaced, who stopped 15 of 20 shots. Blackhawk counterpart collected 27 of 32 shots.

The game was the Blackhawks' first Finals victory since 1973. In 1992, they were swept by the.

Chicago and Philadelphia continue the best-of-seven series on Monday night at Chicago's United Center. The Stanley Cup will determine the 2009-10 National Hockey League champion after the top 16 teams earn the right to compete in the postseason. The NHL has 30 teams in the United States and Canada and attracts many international players.