The Flyers continued their road trip in Dallas tonight with a matchup against the Stars. After a close shootout loss to the Nashville Predators the Orange and Black needed a win tonight to keep their playoff ambitions on track. With Micheal Leighton out now for 8-10 weeks with a high ankle sprain, that didn't figure to be an easy task though. Fortunately, Brian Boucher stepped with 27 saves out of the 29 shots he faced. The Flyers' defense played pretty well too to really help Boucher out. They allowed just those 29 shots on goal and committed just 3 penalties that resulted in Dallas power plays, killing off all but one of Dallas' man advantages. In fact, after jumping out to a 2-1 lead in the 1st period, Dallas never scored again. So when they really needed it the Flyer defense stepped up big time, and they'll have to keep doing it to protect Boucher. While Dallas fizzled out after the 1st period the Flyers kept going until victory was assured.
First Simon Gagne scored late in the 1st period to keep it close, at 2-1 Dallas. Early in the 2nd period, off an assist from Gagne, Mike Richards knotted it up at 2. Finally early in the 3rd period Scott Hartnell scored for a 3-2 lead. From there in the final 13 minutes, Boucher made sure that lead held up with some impressive saves down the stretch, including a kick save with 5 seconds to play, that preserved the 3-2 Orange and Black. So now the Flyers have 79 points overall and jump to 5th in the Eastern conference. Considering they have owned the 4th seeded Devils this season it would be nice if they could hold that spot, but we'll see.
2 comments:
Now thats a way to bounce back from a tough loss. I'm really starting to appreciate the depth the Flyers have in the goalie position too.
-to ph1llysports
yeah same here
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