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Wrap: Jets Soar over Flyers, 7-3 |
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WRAP: JETS SOAR OVER FLYERS, 7-3
Concluding a rough road trip that saw them lose three straight games in regulation, the Philadelphia Flyers fell, 7-3, to the Winnipeg Jets at Bell MTS Place on Sunday.
Goals by Nikolaj Ehlers (14th) and Luca Sbisa (2nd) staked the Jets to a 2-0 lead in the first period. Matt Niskanen (power play, 4th) got the Flyers back to within 2-1 before a costly Joel Farabee major opened the floodgates for Winnipeg.
In rapid succession, power play goals by Blake Wheeler (9th) and Mark Scheifele (15th) were followed by even strength tallies by Logan Shaw (1st) and Patrik Laine (10th) to break the game open. James van Riemsdyk (8th) made it a 6-2 deficit heading to the third period.
On a double deflection Kyle Connor (power play, 14th) added a power play goal in the third period. Nicolas Aube-Kubel picked up his first NHL point as he set up a goal for Shayne Gostisbehere (5th) joining the attack.
Brian Elliott went two periods, stopping 11 of 17 shots. Carter Hart finished the game, stopping 5 of 6 shots in the third period. Connor Hellebuyck earned the win, denying 29 of 32 Flyers shots.
Joel Farabee's interference major came at a time when the Flyers seemed on the brink of drawing even in the game. Before the Flyers knew what hit them, they were in a 6-1 crater.
Even the one thing that the Flyers had done well throughout the road trip -- the penalty kill -- sprung a leak. The Jets went 3-for-5 on the power play. Philadelphia scored on their only power play, temporarily getting back in the game.
Early in the first period, Morgan Frost (who had almost as rough of a day as Farabee, for different reasons) received an embellishment penalty to offset a Jack Roslovic hold. At 4:57, the Jets grabbed a 1-0 lead.
An Ehlers goal off a set play on a left-circle faceoff won by Blake Ehlers put the Flyers in a quick 1-0 hole. The Flyers regained equilibrium and put a push on in the Winnipeg end. Hellebuyck was sharp in net for the Jets.
Sbisa's goal at 11:49 was a deflating one for Philly. There was no weak-side winger coverage on his side of the ice, so Sbisa had time and space. The former Flyers defenseman's shot from above the top of the left circle was a nicely placed one and he had a partial screen to shoot through, but it was a save that Elliott and the Flyers needed from that angle and distance, especially with the Flyers already trailing.
The Flyers recouped at intermission and brought a lot of energy into the second period, generating multiple scoring chances. The Jets' scuffling penalty kill has been a cure for quite a few NHL teams with struggling power plays. Joel Farabee had a golden chance on a loose puck in front but tucked it wide. However, when the Flyers changed units, they scored. A Kevin Hayes rebound off a JVR pass was potted by Niskanen.
Philly had a few cracks at tying the game but Hellebuyck kept them at bay. At 9:03, a frustration-driven retaliatory hit by Farabee on Mathieu Perrault resulted in an interference penalty. game misconduct and power play goals by Wheeler and Scheifele. After that, the floodgates opened and the Flyers were deluged as Logan Shaw scored high to the short side and Laine on a counterattack that went off Shayne Gostisbehere's skate. JVR got one back in the final half minute off a pinch down low by Provorov.
The third period was basically academic. Hart had no prayer of stopping a double-deflection power play goal credited by Connor after an initial deflection by Scheifele then changed direction a second time off Connor's skate. Earning his first NHL point, Nicolas Aube-Kubel made a nice pass to Gostisbehere on the game's final goal at 9:41.
The Flyers will have an off-day on Monday. The next night, they will host the Anaheim Ducks.
Philadelphia Flyers Blogger •NHL.com • 
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