Stanley Cup Capsules: Kopecky goal gives Blackhawks Game 1 win, 6-5

CHICAGO — Tomas Kopecky scored the go-ahead goal in the third period and the Chicago Blackhawks won a wild and high-scoring Stanley Cup opener, beating the Philadelphia Flyers 6-5 on Saturday night.

Kopecky, who had been a scratch the previous five playoff games and was in the lineup because of an injury to Andrew Ladd, scored from the left side with a sharp-angled shot that beat backup goalie Brian Boucher at 8:25 of the third.

Game 2 is Monday night at the United Center.

Danny Briere and Scott Hartnell had a goal and two assists apiece for the Flyers.

Chicago’s Troy Brouwer scored two goals, the second putting the Blackhawks ahead 5-4 in the second period and prompting the Flyers to replace starter Michael Leighton with Boucher.

Ville Leino, Blair Betts and Arron Asham also scored the Flyers.

Dave Bolland had a short-handed breakaway goal for the Blackhawks and Patrick Sharp and Kris Versteeg also scored for Chicago.

The Blackhawks are in their first final since 1992 and are aiming for the franchise’s first championship since 1961. The Flyers, who last made the finals in 1997, are shooting for their first title since the Broad Street Bullies won the second of two straight championships in 1975.

The Flyers weren’t too bullish Saturday night. They played the entire game without a penalty.