March 29, 2008 Flyers V Islanders

The Flyers played the 2nd game in 2 nights this evening against the injury plagued Islanders. I have never seen a scratch list as long as that. I wonder where they would be if half of those players were in the lineup? Then again, even when they were they couldn't score goals. After last night's shootout loss to the Devils I was hoping the Flyers would not sputter through this game. Although Prospal was out of the lineup with the flu, the Flyers seemed like they were ready to play.

The Islanders scored the first goal on a wacky play that saw the puck get away from Niittymaki right to the front of the net where Park was there to score. The 1st period ended 1-0. Around the 8 minute mark of the 2nd period the Isles scores a goal by Comeau that, if the Flyers had good team D, would never had been scored. Poor coverage made the Isles' entry into the zone easy and a few passes later the puck was in the net, 2-1. At the 15 minute mark, the Flyers finally broke through Dubielewicz on a goal by Danny Briere on the powerplay. It was his 31st of the year. He hit the high corner as Bubielewicz went into the butterfly. The period ended 2-1 with the Flyers outshooting the Isles 33-16 at this point (23 shots in the 2nd period).

Roughly 3:30 into the 3rd period Joffrey Lupul scored the tying goal. It was hist 1st since coming back from his high ankle sprain. He scores in bunches, so maybe this is a really good sign with the end of the season near. The joy didn't last long as the Isles retook the lead on a goal by Nielsen. Niittymaki certainly should have had the shot. The Flyers continued to press the Isles for the tying goal until, right after a faceoff, Thoresen passed the puck out to Richards who buried it for his 28th of the year. Regulation time end 3-3.

The Islanders had it made in the overtime as the Flyers game them 2, yes 2, powerplay opportunities to score, but they came up short. The overtime ends still tied and we had to endure another shootout. I hate these things when the Flyers are involved because thy usually cannot score and their goalies are usually horrible. Tonight was different. Niittymaki was able to stop all 3 Islander shooters (Park was the only one that made Niitty earn his keep). Dubielewicz stopped both Richards (lost the puck) and Carter (poke check), but couldn;t stop Briere who slowly made his way towards the goalie, almost stopped, made a move to his backhand, and scored to win the game for the Flyers. Well done.

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