So the Islanders managed to pull a win in Philly and avoid extending their losing streak. But it almost didn't happen.
Seriously, that game was just too close for comfort. And certainly, not too many Isles left there IN any comfort. Matt Martin played the bulk of the game in a full face shield after a fight with Ryan White only 2:11 into the first. (He played less than 10 minutes total.) Insult was added to the injury when the Flyers scored first only about three minutes later.
I held my breath when Boychuk went down after blocking a shot and didn't get up. Were the Isles going to lose him too? I had to walk away from the set.
The Isles outshot the Flyers, but they were still down 2 - 0 in the second period. It looked as if it would be 3 - 0 shortly, but then Grabovski beat Mason and there was a glimmer of hope. Okay, they could do this.
A puck came up high on Jarod between what looked like his should and mask and down he went. The trainer ran out to check on him and Johnson squirmed on the bench waiting to see if he'd be called. Halak stayed in net. He was not a happy camper.
Neither was I.
Then Clutterbuck found the back of the net and it was a different game. Tied at two at 18:47 of the second period and the Isles only had to get another goal and keep the Flyers from doing the same in the next 20 minutes.
Calls seemed a little "iffy" and non-existent for the most part (Two in total after the fighting major.) John Tavares was in the box for slashing. He shook his head. At least the Flyers didn't score while he was. And Boychuk was back in the line-up. What a trooper! As the third was winding down, the idea of at least one point didn't seem so bad.
Overtime solved nothing and the shoot-out went on WAAAAAYYY too long. Seven rounds with only Nielsen and Clutterbuck scoring for the Isles. Brock Nelson did have an assist on Clutterbuck's goal, but he missed in the shoot-out. You could see the frustration on his face.
Hey, two points are two points.
A win on the first game of the road trip probably made for good conversation with the Dad's and Mentors on the annual trip. Why this group of Dads got Philly, Boston and Buffalo in February -- I don't know. Maybe the Florida trips were too much fun. Snicker.