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Wrap: Flyers Lose in SO after Comeback; Phantoms Win in SO after Comeback

April 3, 2021, 11:17 PM ET [219 Comments]
Bill Meltzer
Philadelphia Flyers Blogger •NHL.com • RSSArchiveCONTACT
Flyers Lose in Shootout Despite Comeback

With the Philadelphia Flyers below the East Division playoff cutoff line and needing two points just to remain three points behind the Boston Bruins in the battle for the final playoff spot, the Flyers lost ground on Saturday night in Uniondale.

Philadelphia played a generally solid road game against the New York Islanders, battled back from a two-goal deficit in the third period against what has been the best closeout team in the NHL but couldn't take much comfort from a 3-2 shootout loss.

As with the Flyers' recent 2-1 home overtime loss to the Islanders, which was arguably one of the two best all-around games that the team has played this season at five-on-five, the time has passed where they can afford to be philosophical and claim "process victories" on nights where they come away with anything but a win.

It wasn't games like these that dug the Flyers the hole they're in -- rather, it was the team's atrocious performance in March that did so -- but one point simply isn't good enough when the stretch drive has begun and you're playing chase. That's just reality.

In Saturday's game, the Flyers by far had the better of puck possession for two-plus periods but had only a 2-0 deficit to show for it. A two-goal comeback led by Flyers captain Claude Giroux sent the game to overtime, but the Flyers lost in a four round shootout.

Anthony Beauvillier (PPG, 7th goal of the season) notched the only goal of the first period. Beauvillier struck a second time in the middle frame (8th), this time at 5-on-5. Giroux (10th) narrowed the gap to 2-1 in the opening half of the third period, and fired home his second of the game (11th) less than four minutes later.

After a scoreless overtime, the game moved to a shootout. None among Sean Couturier (goal post), Nolan Patrick, Giroux or Jakub Voracek were able to score for the Flyers. Jordan Eberle, Beauvillier and Oliver Wahlstrom were unable to score for New York in the first three rounds before Mathew Barzal scored what proved to be the game-winner in the fourth round.

Carter Hart, who had struggled mightily throughout March, played an excellent game in goal for the Flyers on this night. He stopped 22 of 24 shots in regulation and OT, and three of four in the shootout. Ilya Sorokin was also strong for the Islanders, as he was in New York's recent 2-1 overtime win in Philadelphia. On this night, he stopped 30 of 32 shots before going 4-for-4 in shootout saves.

The Flyers went 0-for-3 on the power play, including a costly failed 5-on-3. Philly was 4-for-5 on the PK.

For highlights and analysis from Saturday's game, see the Postgame 5 on the Flyers' official website.

The Flyers are idle on Sunday night before embarking on a home-and-home set against Boston on Monday (road) and Tuesday (home). Philadelphia realistically needs two regulation wins, although the Bruins will still hold two games in hand on the Flyers even if Philly sweeps the two games before playing the Islanders again in Long Island on Thursday and the Bruins again at home next Saturday.

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Phantoms Rally to Force OT, Win in a Shootout

The North Division leading Lehigh Valley Phantoms (12-3-2, one suspended game) spent much of Saturday night trying to overcome a poor first period and a 4-2 deficit in the second period. They eventually did so, scoring on a late regulation 6-on-5 to force overtime and then prevailing 5-4 (1-0) via shootout against the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (6-7-5) at the PPL Center on Saturday.

Rookies led the way offensively for Scott Gordon's club. One game after cranking out a four-point (2g, 2a) performance against the Hershey Bears on Wednesday, Flyers 2020 first round pick Tyson Foerster scored two goals (5th and 6th) in regulation including the game-tying goal in the final minute of regulation. Foerster also converted his first-round shootout attempt for the lone goal that either team scored in the skills competition.

First-year power forward Wade Allison notched a goal (4th in seven games played to date) and an assist for the Bears. His helper on a Cal O'Reilly marker (3rd) that gave the Phantoms a very short-lived first-period 1-0 lead started with winning a board battle and taking a hit to make a play. The Phantoms trailed 3-2 by the end of the first period and were in a 4-2 hole late in the second period when Allison cut over the middle from the left circle and fired off a wicked snap shot that beat Alex D'Orio (26 saves on 30 shots).

Apart from their brief first-period lead, the Phantoms never played from ahead on this night and it took until 19:11 of the third period with Zane McIntyre (32 saves) pulled for an extra attacker. That was when Foerster tallied again to force OT. Connor Bunnaman, playing his first game since being sent down by the Flyers, assisted on the goal along with Max Willman. For Willman, it was his second helper of the game.

For his part, McIntyre once again gave his team a chance to stay in the game, making 32 saves before going 3-for-3 in the shootout.
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