Ok, that was ugly.

Wow, did anyone expect Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Finals to be like that? After pushing Chicago around for two games in Philadelphia, the Flyers went back to the United Center with a chance to take a series lead before Game 6 in the Wachovia Center...and promptly laid an egg. Poor goaltending, awful defense and just a general lack of solid play doomed the Flyers last night, and now they face the possibility of the Blackhawks winning the Stanley Cup in Philadelphia.

Michael Leighton played possibly his best game of the Finals in Game 4, and followed it up with his worst showing yet. Despite being the only reason why the Flyers weren't down by maybe six goals at the end of the first, he did let three pucks past him, and he should have been able to stop the first two. He was pulled after the first period, and Brian Boucher came in. The only problem was that he didn't fare that much better, allowing three goals of his own before the Blackhawks scored an empty net goal for the final 7-4 score. The goalies have had more trouble in this series than they did against any team in the Eastern Conference, but that was to be expected. Chicago is a much better team than any the Flyers faced on their way here. Through the Eastern Conference Playoffs, the Flyers were able to mask the fact that their goalie position is still a spot of weakness, but now it's being exposed again. Leighton has been pulled from two games, and Boucher hasn't been that effective when he's come in.

It wasn't all Leighton or Boucher's fault last night, though. The defense in front of them was totally horrible. After keeping Chicago's top line from doing much during the entire series, Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville mixed up his lines, and the result was something that the Flyers couldn't stop. Chris Pronger, who had been so effective during the series so far, was a minus-5 last night on the ice, and was bowled over by Dustin Byfuglien on a huge hit. The Chicago big man finally looked like the player people were raving about during the Western Conference Playoffs, putting in two goals and helping out with two assists as well. Patrick Kane also added his second goal of the Finals, and while Jonathan Toews was kept out of the net, he chipped in with an assist on Byfuglien's first goal of the game.

Meanwhile, the Philadelphia top line was still unable to get anything going. Simon Gagne added a late goal, but Mike Richards and Jeff Carter could do nothing the entire game. Something has to change with that going into Game 6 on Wednesday, because the Flyers can't afford to put all the pressure on the Ville Leino-Danny Briere-Claude Giroux line. That line's been solid as a rock during the Finals, but the Blackhawks are working to stop them and put the pressure on the rest of the team to get the job done. If they can do that in Game 6, the Flyers had better hope that their top line can come through in a big way.

The entire story of the game was that first period. The Blackhawks came out and looked like a different team last night. They were faster, played better and looked like the best team in the NHL. Michael Leighton did all he could, but in a six minute span, Chicago scored three times. The Flyers kept trying to crawl back into the game, but each time they got close, the Blackhawks had another goal waiting. It was the mirror image of Games 3 and 4, when Philadelphia was able to keep the Blackhawks back with answers each time they threatened.

Now, it comes down to this. The Flyers are a loss away from having their season over, and the Blackhawks are a win away from clinching their first Stanley Cup since JFK was in office. To stop them, the Flyers have to win Game 6 in Philadelphia, and then take Game 7 back in Chicago. It's a tall order, especially for a team that's given it their all so far during these playoffs. After laying such a big egg last night, the Flyers have to come out with a fire inside of them for Game 6. If they don't, then there's no need to worry about a Game 7. Wednesday night, we find out if this team has one more back from the dead moment in them.