FLYERS NEWS

The Flyers returned from the Olympic break tonight with newly crowned gold medalists Mike Richards and Chris Pronger in tow. They were on a 4 game winning streak heading into the break and tonight in Tampa against the Lightning they simply picked up where they left off. It was tight for the 1st 2 periods, with Steve Stamkos scoring twice for Tampa and Mike Richards scoring in the 1st period and assisting on a Dan Carcillo score in the 2nd period for a 2-2 tie after 2. The 3rd period however, was all Orange Black. Richards assisted Simon Gagne on back to back power play goals for a 4-2 lead just 5 minutes into the period. A few minutes later Claude Giroux assisted James Van Reimsdyk on another score for a 5-2, and then a couple minutes after that Giroux himself scored on the power play for a 6-2 lead. Finally a few minutes after that Jeff Carter scored shorthanded to finish off the 7-2 route, the 5th straight win for the Orange and Black.

Richards had some night with a goal and 3 assists which just goes to show how a gold medal can change a person. Gagne was equally impressive with a 2 goals and an assist, as was Giroux with a goal and 2 assists, and Dan Carcillo with a goal and a assists. Still, Richards' 4 point night was the most remarkable. I don't know he was able to come up with a performance like that, especially after all those games he just played at the Olympics. While the scoring was off the charts, the Flyers' defenisve effort was not their best, allowing 34 shots on goal, but it was certainly. Plus, as usual Micheal Leighton held his own with 32 saves, more than enough for the win. With several teams struggling to shake off the post Olympic exhaustion, it would be huge if the Flyer's could keep playing like this, but I guess we'll see. At any rate with the win they now have 69 points overall, good for 6th in the East and well within range of the most of the teams ahead of them.