If any team knows how it feels to give up multiple leads against the Flyers it would be the Boston Bruins. No Flyers fan can forget the memorable 2010 Eastern Conference Semi Finals, in which the Flyers overcame a three game and three goal deficit to make history in Boston on their road to the Cup. While that was not exactly the case last night, the Flyers did overcome a 2 goal deficit late in the third period and wound up winning in overtime.
A far cry from the team that hit the ice against the Stars on Tuesday night, the Flyers played a much better game on all sides of the puck, despite losing Sean Couturier and back-up goalie Michal Neuvirth to injuries. Couturier left the game after taking a nasty elbow to the head by ex-teammate Zac Rinaldo. According to sources the team is being extremely cautious on his return as it does not appear to be too serious. He’s listed day-to day with an upper body injury. There is no doubt that Rinaldo will be getting a call from the office of player safety to discuss the hit and as a repeat offender he will most likely be fined and or suspended.
Michal Neuvirth seemed to injure himself when attempting to make a save on Patrice Bergeron’s 2nd period power play goal. He fell to his knees and remained there for a few moments in pain, but got up on his own power and finished the period. However he would not return to action after the second intermission. The team has also listed him day-to-day with an unspecified upper body injury.
- Takeaways: Both teams were involved in a shooting gallery for the better part of the first period as each scored twice. After a solid first by the Flyers, it was all Bruins in the second. The flat footed Flyers returned and failed to convert on the five minute misconduct to Rinaldo. To add insult to injury they gave up a short-handed goal during the prolonged power play as well.
- Turning point: Whatever was said in the locker room by head coach Dave Hackstol must have been taken to heart as the team came out firing on all cylinders for the final twenty minutes of play. With 9:36 left in the third Wayne Simmonds sniped a nasty top shelf goal past Bruins goalie Tuuka Rask that put the Flyers within one. That goal came moments after Steve Mason made a highlight reel save that seemed to be the momentum shifter the team fed off of the rest of the game. The Flyers kept the Bruins shot-less for eleven straight minutes in the third and captain Claude Giroux would find the back of the net to tie the game at four with just over twelve minutes to go in regulation.
- The game would have to be decided in overtime, in hopes that the Flyers would pick up both points and get the victory. A minute into overtime, Michael Del Zotto sped his way into the Bruins defensive zone and drew a penalty as he was hooked by Ryan Spooner. It did not take long for the team to score on the power play as Jake Voracek and Mark Streit set-up Claude Giroux for the game winner and his second goal of the night. Giroux’s goal was a no doubter, he sniped the puck top shelf from the weak-side face-off dot, and tucked it above the shoulder of Rask.
- Upcoming games:
- 24th vs Rangers at 7pm
- Oct 27th vs Sabres at 7pm (Danny Briere Retirement Night)*
- Oct 29th Devils at 7pm
- Fun fact: The Flyers have been featured on the first two NBCSN “Wednesday Night Rivalry” segments and are now 2-0 on the primetime event.
- Follow Joe Buscemi on twitter: @JoeyB_1991 and @talksportsphila
Tags: Flyers News, Flyers Season, Joe Buscemi, NHL News, Philadelphia Sports News, Philly Sports News, TalkSportsPhilly
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