FLYERS NEWS

The Flyers and the Pens faced off today in a huge game at the Wachovia center. The last time these two teams met the Flyers got the win in Pittsburgh despite a controversial call that took a goal away from Simon Gagne. This afternoon another controversial call took a goal away from the Flyers. Unfortunately the Orange and Black weren't so lucky on this afternoon. Ahead 1-0 on a power play goal by Jeff Carter, the Flyer's looked to be headed to a 2-0 lead with a little over 6:30 left in 1st period on a Mike Richards score. Instead the goal was waved off because Simon Gagne was called for high sticking and roughing Evgeni Malkin, apparently before the goal was scored.

Replays showed though, that Gagne neither high-sticked nor roughed Malkin at all. Moreover, the officials whistles did not blow until after Richards had scored. So one way or another his goal should have counted. Instead it was taken away and Pittsburgh was given a power play on which Sergei Gonchar scored the game tying goal. Thanks to the play of Ray Emery, who racked up 20 saves, it stayed tied at 1 until deep in the 3rd period with a little less than 2 minutes to play. The officials then went against the Flyers again calling Kimmo Timonen for a delay of game after he desperately knocked the puck into the stands just inside the Flyers' zone, as the Pens were threatening to score. Once again given the opportunity they needed Pittsburgh capitalized with Matt Cooke scoring the power play goal that would seal the 2-1 Pens win.

Don't you just love NHL officiating? I know I don't. Anway as much the officials hurt the Flyers today, they hurt themselves with a lot of missed opportunities. In fact they were on the power play 9 times but could score only on the 1st one. You just can't let that many chances slip away and expect to win. Not if you are the Flyer's with the way things have gone this season. Anyway despite the loss the Flyers remain 6th in the East and in prime position for a playoff berth.