FLYERS NEWS

Coming into tonight the Flyers had 3 lost straight contests and had not looked good doing so. Tonight was much different. The defense finally resembled last year's, holding the Toronto Maple Leafs to just 14 shots on goal. Once again they also kept the penalties on low side, putting Toronto on the power play only 4 times and killing off all of them. More importantly, the Flyer's finally got it going offensively, even scoring on the power play. They were still only 1 of 6 on the power play which isn't great, but it's a step in the right direction. Aside, from the power play score, Mike Richards had his first goal of the season and 2 assists, and the Leino, Briere, and Hartnell line, produced 3 goals, including the lone power play tally. The Flyer's can't just rely on that line the rest of the season. Sooner or later another line will have to step up for them, but for now they'll take the 1 hot line and run with it.

Richards opened the scoring on the night with an unassisted tally late in the first period. Ville Leino followed a minute later with the lone power play score and the Flyers led 2-0 after 1 period. The Flyers allowed a couple sloppy goals in the 2nd period, but a late Blair Betts score off an assist by Daroll Powe at least kept them ahead 3-2 heading into the 3rd period. The Briere - Leino - Hartnell line took over in the 3rd period. First Hartnell scored a minute into the period off Richards 2nd assist, for a 4-2 Orange and Black lead. Then Briere scored unassisted just under 8 minutes into the period to put the Leafs away for good. Brian Boucher and the defense held up the rest of the way and the Flyers walked away with an important 5-2 win.