FLYERS NEWS

In a key contest and their last until after the all-star break, the Flyers faced off with the Pittsburgh Penguins tonight. Coming into the game a win for either team could set them up to head into the break leading the Atlantic division. In a back and forth shootout it would be the Orange and Black, who would outlast Pittsburgh. Through the first period of play, the match started true to form. Midway through the period R.J Umberger put the Flyers up 1-0. Then late in the period Evgeni Malkin tied it at 1 for Pittsburgh. Late in the second period Randy Jones put the Flyers up 2-1, but again the Pens answered, this time in the form of a Peter Sykora power play goal to tie it at 2. Early in the 3rd period Jim Vandermeer scored on the power play for a 3-2 Flyers lead, but just a minute later Ryan Whitney scored shorthanded to tie it up again at 3. Finally, just over five minutes into the period Mike Knuble put the Flyers up for good 4-3. From there Marty Biron, starting in goal for the first time in a while, held the lead until the Orange and Black had won 4-3. With the Devils losing tonight as well, the Flyers not only improve to 27-16-5 overall, but also move back into a tie for first place in the Atlantic Division. So the Flyers are in good shape heading into the break.