Stanley Cup Finals - Discipline Critical for Chicago in Game 2

Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals was more difficult for the Chicago Blackhawks than it needed to be. They took a 6-5 decision from the Philadelphia Flyers, but likely should have won by much more.

At many times in the first two periods, Chicago seemed ready to take control of the game, to grab momentum from Philly and not let go. They scored their goals and looked about to shut down any further Flyers attack.

Those were the points in the game when Chicago took a penalty. Off their player would go to the box and the Flyers got two minutes of free puck possession to re-establish themselves.

It happened in the first period. Dave Bolland rushed in on a short-handed breakaway, scored to put the 'Hawks up 2-1 and the crowd went wild. Not four minutes later, Brian Campbell took a high-sticking penalty. Philadelphia scored on that power play and again before the period was out. Flyers 3-2.

It happened again in the second period. Patrick Sharp scored an early goal that tied the game only to have Adam Burish take a dumb boarding penalty a few minutes later. Though they didn't score on that power play, Philly got a goal roughly 30 seconds after it ended for a 4-3 lead.

Chicago had to work hard just to stay in the game for those first 40 minutes.

Now look at the last 20. The Blackhawks controlled the run of play, allowed just six shots from the Flyers and scored the only goal of the period. 6-5 final.

How many penalties did Chicago in that last period? None.

The 'Hawks will have to stay disciplined if they want to win Game 2. Otherwise they run a real risk of going back to Philly tied at a game a piece.

Toronto Blue Jays - Bloop Singles Wanted

Three runs on four hits, three of which were solo home runs.

That's the kind of line that makes a fan want to cry when he's watching his team lose, and that's exactly how the Toronto Blue Jays lost to the Los Angeles Angels last night.

Yes, Toronto leads the major leagues in home runs and extra base hits. Yes, they lead each category by a wide margin. But those statistics only mean something good if the team is making consistent contact with the baseball or getting on base in other ways - two concepts that have caused the Blue Jays trouble this year.

Last night's game is a perfect indicator here: Blue Jays batters hit to a .125 batting average (four hits in thirty-two at-bats), struck out ten (10!) times, and only managed one walk. I caught the last few innings on TV, and I can tell you that those numbers flatter the Angels pitcher. I can tell you that the Blue Jays, up and down the lineup, swung at a lot of pitches they shouldn't have. They weren't patient and didn't wait for something good to hit.

Would it kill these guys to take a walk once in a while? Can these guys get a hit without pathologically circling the bases?

Three home runs in a game should keep any team competitive, give them a chance to win (while we're at it, so should six home runs, which the Jays managed against Arizona last Friday and still lost the game). Fact is for Toronto, they don't. Those home runs mean less because there's no one on base to come home in front of the batter.

I'd kill for a bloop single right now.