FLYERS NEWS

The Flyers stayed hot tonight in Atlanta with yet another well deserved victory. Antero Niittymaki got the start in goal tonight and saved 23 of the 25 shots he faced to help push the Orange and Black to victory. In the first period of play, Mike Knuble scored early for a 1-0 Flyers lead. Midway through the second period Ilya Kovalchuk answered for the Thrashers to tie it at 1. One minute later, Mike Richards scored on the power play for a 2-1 Flyers lead. Finally late in the period, Ed Boulton tied it at 2 for the Thrashers. Last but certainly not least, Steve Downie scored late in third period to put the Flyers up for good 3-2. Not surprisingly that's how it ended with a 3-2 Flyers win. So the Flyers improve to 30-17-5 overall and retain sole possession of first place in the Atlantic division. Additionally, the Orange and Black moves up to second in the Eastern conference, just three points behind the Ottawa Senators for first. Considering they finished dead last in the conference and the NHL for that matter, last season, catching the Senators by season's end would be quite an accomplishment for the Flyers and now it is well within reach.