The Flyers came into the night looking to rebound from a 5-4 loss to Pittsburgh on Thursday against the Anahiem Ducks.
The Ducks swam into Philly on the back of a 6-1 win over Boston, hoping to ride that momentum into the Wachovia Center.
During the first period it seemed the Flyers were setting the pace of the game, outshooting the Ducks 14-7 with the only tally being from Captain Mike Richards on the power play. Claude Giroux, camping behind the red line, connected with Richards who was poised in the faceoff circle and beat Ducks goalie Jonas Hiller on the glove side. This was Richards’ 6th goal of the year and 4th on the power play.
The Ducks turned it up in the 2nd, using their speed to their advantage, but still couldn’t get one past Flyers goalie Ray Emery. They outshot the Flyers 14-10, but again, the only goal belonged to the Flyers. Chris Pronger one-timed a slap shot past Hiller, on the stick side, on a D to D pass from Matt Carle. This was the Flyers’ 2nd power play goal of the night and Pronger’s first of the season. This was also Matt Carle’s team leading 7th assist and tied him once again for the team lead in points with Richards.
The third period looked alot like the first for the first 10 minutes of it with the Flyers being in control. They had some scoring chances, but seemed content on riding a two goal lead. However, this is when most mistakes happen. Active goal scoring leader Teemu Selanne slid past the Flyers defense on a pass from Ray Whitney, beating Emery high to the glove side, to cut the lead to one with just over 6 minutes left in the game. A failed clear by Darroll Powe would find it’s way to Corey Perry’s stick, via Scott Niedermayer, who slid a pass across the crease to Selanne and the score was tied at two a piece with 16.0 seconds left in regulation. This all can’t be put on Powe though. Pronger missed his assignment on Selanne who was all alone just outside the crease.
Overtime showed scoring chances by both teams, but no goals so on we go to the shoot-out.
First up was Daniel Briere who tried going glove side, but was blocked with the pad. Corey Perry went first for the Ducks, but was stopped by Emery. Mike Richards would test Hiller to the stick side, but to no avail. Teemu Selanne shot next for the Ducks and would not be denied as he beat Emery, high to the stick side. Simon Gagne would try to play hero for the Flyers, but couldn’t raise the puck high enough to get over Hiller’s right pad and the Ducks win in a shoot-out.
Highlights:
1. Chris Pronger – Happy Birthday Chris! You scored your first goal of the year against your former team. Pronger’s presence was enough to keep the Ducks on their toes all game.
2. Claude Giroux – Aside from his great pass to set up the first goal of the game, Giroux was great on the forecheck from puck drop to whistle. He was constantly moving, always active and had something for every play.
3. Mike Richards – Mike was on his game, all game and stands alone as the league leader in goals. He also has at least one point in every game this season.
Lowlights:
1. Sitting on a lead – If there’s one thing the Flyers should have learned from last season, it’s this. A two goal lead is not good enough to sit on. And if you are going to try and sit on a lead, be consistent the entire period. You can’t play good shut down for thirteen minutes and think you’re going to coast the last seven. Mistakes get made, assignments get missed and you end up on the wrong end of the final score.
2. See #1
3. Ole-Kristian Tollefsen – You’ve managed to make the lowlights two games in a row. Congratulations! Or not. He did play a solid game, but the two needless interference penalties are just not acceptable. If you’re gonna be a fighter, then be a fighter. Doing, “Whatever it takes to get the win,” doesn’t include needless penalties.
So what have we learned?
A 2-0 lead is never good enough,
If you’re going to keep an eye on someone, make sure it’s the veteran with over 500 goals,
Always, ALWAYS, get some air under the puck (like 12 inches) when you’re in a shoot-out against a butterfly goalie who makes the first move.
The Flyers fall drop two in a row and have to settle for the pity point. They have almost a week off before flying down to Florida to take on the Panthers on Friday. It looks like Lames vanRiemsdyk will be returning. So who do you think will get the scratch? Riley Cote or Aaron Asham?
As for me, I’ll be back tomorrow doing the weekly wrap-up. 🙂
Until then, keep your chin up, your eyes on the puck and you can never go wrong with high to the stick side. 😉
Thanks for reading,
Paul Pickett
Facebook: Paul Ca Pickett
Twitter: PaulakaBFTW