FLYERS NEWS

With their backs to the wall, after 3 straight devastating losses the Orange and Black answered the bell tonight with a huge win over the Atlanta Thrashers. Antero Niittymaki got the start in goal and with a little help from the Flyer's defense, he had a pretty good night saving 17 of 19 shots he faced, to spirit the Flyers to victory. In the first period of play, just 58 seconds in, Chris Thorburn scored for a 1-0 Thrasher's lead. Then midway through the period Mike Richards scored to knot it at 1 for the Flyers. Late in the second period of play, Jeff Carter scored on the power play for a 2-1 Flyer's lead. Midway through the third period of Vinny Prospal scored for 3-1 Flyer's lead, that after the last few games seemed anything but safe. Finally late in the period with about 30 seconds to play Ilya Kovalchuk scored to cut the Flyer's lead to 3-2, and briefly renew fears of another Flyer's collapse. Fortunately, the Orange and Black hung on for the final 30 seconds for a 3-2 victory. So the Flyer's improve to 36-28-10 overall, but remain 4th in the Atlantic division and 8th in the Eastern conference, now just 2 points ahead of the Washington Capitals, and 3 ahead of the Buffalo Sabres.