FLYERS NEWS

After a rallying from 2-0 to defeat New Jersey in their last game the Flyers and Devils got together again, this time in New Jersey, to finish off a home and home series. Just like last time New Jersey jumped out early as Micheal Leighton alloted a weak goal just seconds into the 1st period, to Travis Zajac for a 1-0 Devils' lead. Some time later in the 1st period Rob Niedermayer slipped one by Leighton for a 2-0 lead. So again the Flyers found themselves down 2-0 to Marty Brodeur, not exactly the position you want be in. Once again the Orange and Black didn't panic, but this time there would be no furious late game comeback. Instead Aaron Asham got things going early, scoring just 33 seconds after Neidermayer to cut it to 2-1. Then late in the 2nd period Jeff Carter slapped one in to knot it up at 2. From there until the end nether team could really come up with anymore good scoring chances. In fact the Flyer's had just one shot on goal the entire 3rd period, as New Jersey tried to charge and steal back the momentum.

Thanks to Leighton the Devils came up empty in the 3rd period as well and it was on to overtime. There about 3 and half minutes into the OT, Simon Gagne put forth a herculean effort in the New Jersey zone. First he tried a wrap around that got blocked. Then he recieved a perfect centering pass in front of the net, but misfired wide. Finally he got the puck for a 3rd time, skated into the open, wound, fired and ......... scored! Just like that the Orange and Black had beaten Marty and the Devils from 2-0 down in 2 consecutive games for 2 straight 3-2 wins. Who would have thunk that? I know I didn't. Anway with the thrilling victory the Flyers now have 63 points overall and sit 7th in the Eastern conference. They'll have to keep playing like this, not just in stretches, but consistently for 60 minutes if they want to stay there in 7th or move up the standings.