CHICAGO — If the ice crew at the United Center wants a smoother surface, Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Chris Pronger has a suggestion — blast the AC.
Choppy ice created some wild bounces as the Chicago Blackhawks raced to a 6-5 victory over the Flyers in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals on Saturday night. While some players like Pronger shrugged off the conditions, others were a little more critical.
Flyers left wing Scott Hartnell said the ice was “below average.” Although he realizes it is hot in Chicago, he hopes “they’ll be able to do a better job” for Game 2 tonight.
Blackhawks center Dave Bolland said the conditions made it tough to handle the puck and “play around with it,” but short of turning the United Center into a giant freezer, Pronger sees no solution.
“You can make it hard, but it would be about 4 degrees in the building,” he said.
Pronger said the conditions were no different when he played in the Stanley Cup Finals with Edmonton at Carolina in 2006 or with Anaheim the following year.
“I don’t think it’s any worse than it was in Anaheim or Carolina,” he said.
Philadelphia sticking with Leighton.
Flyers coach Peter Laviolette said Michael Leighton, who was pulled in favor of Brian Boucher after yielding five goals in Game 1, would start Game 2.
The Associated Press
Stanley Cup finals
Chicago vs. Philadelphia
Chicago leads series 1-0
Best-of-seven series; * — if necessary
Saturday: Chicago 6, Philadelphia 5
Today: at Chicago, 6 p.m., KUSA-9
Wednesday: at Philadelphia, 6 p.m., VS
Friday: at Philadelphia, 6 p.m., VS
Sunday, June 6: at Chicago, 6 p.m., KUSA-9*
Wed., June 9: at Phila., 6 p.m., KUSA-9*
Friday, June 11: at Chicago, 6 p.m., KUSA-9*
