March 18, 2008 Flyers V Thrashers

Well the trend continued with this latest string of poor starts. A mere minute into the game, Thorburn scored on a really weak shot on Niitymakki. How can this team be so tight and/or unprepared to play a game in the NHL at this part of the season? Luckily, Mike Richards' line with Lupul and Thorensen came to play and they tied the game later in the 1st. Once the goal was scored the team loosened up and the ice was completely tilted towards the Thrashers' zone for the rest of the period and most of the 2nd. There was a sense of unease as the 2nd period was about to end when the Flyers were rewarded with a powerplay. With 2.9 seconds left in the 2nd, Carter tipped a shot into the goal for a 2-1 lead. Midway through the 3rd the Flyers capitalized on a 2 on 1 led by Briere and Prospal with Prospal netting the eventual game winner.

I knew a 3-1 lead was not quite enough yet the Flyers held the lead into the final minute of the game. With about 30 seconds left in the game, Illya Kovalchuk scored his 50th on another play that only seems to happen to the Flyers. Pucks were bouncing, players couldn't get their sticks on it an suddenly it was in their net.

The Thrashers continued their onslaught for the final 30 seconds and almost tied in with about 4 seconds left when the Flyers were outplayed in their defensive zone and somehow a pass was made to a wide open Kovalchuk (Knuble was watching the puck). Niittymaki was able to flash a pad out and make the save to end the game.

This win gives the Flyers a 3 point lead over the Sabres. Despite the win and overall good play, we have to remember that it was against the Thrashers and they played well for 58 minutes. They were an absolute mess in the 1st and last minutes of the game and it nearly cost them again.

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