Instant Analysis: Blackhawks Can’t Seize Momentum, Fall 3-1

CHICAGO – The Philadelphia Flyers outshot, outmuscled, and ultimately outplayed the Blackhawks to a 3-1 decision that notched Chicago’s ninth loss in its last ten.

After an emphatic answer to an early Flyers goal, the Blackhawks never could seize any momentum.

The Flyers were on the board first after a Travis Sanheim shot redirected past Arvid Soderblom just over six minutes into the game. Colin Blackwell tied things up after he used a toe drag to fool Flyers defenseman Jamie Drysdale before ripping a shot past Samuel Ersson.

But the Flyers would get the next two, one on an individual effort from Travis Konecny and then Garnet Hathaway cleaning up a Soderblom rebound later in the period.

The Blackhawks from there struggled to generate any sustained momentum to close out the second period.

Soderblom Sharp for Blackhawks At Times

No one can sneeze at 15 saves in the first period, but the rebounds that have often haunted him led to a Flyers goal and a two-goal deficit. Now, being outshot 33-23, it’s hardly fair to saddle Soderblom with fault especially since the Blackhawks struggled (again) to put goals on the board.

It was a tough night for Blackhawks defensemen, too, as several were outmuscled or simply beaten to the puck–or by an individual effort.

Blackwell’s goal ignited some energy, but as the game wore on, appeared an isolated moment as the Blackhawks dropped a ninth game in their last ten.

Follow Chicago Hockey Now on Facebook and Twitter

Follow Nate on Twitter