Flyers Take OT Thriller, Win Back-to-Back Over New Jersey

In a game full of fights, great saves, and nonstop action, the Flyers won their second straight game in back-to-back days over the Devils. Shortly after a stink bomb was apparently thrown onto the ice by a fan, Jeff Carter scored the game-winning overtime goal for the Flyers.


AP Photo/Tom Mihalek (ESPN.com)

The Devils got two powerplay chances back-to-back early in the first period, but were unable to connect. Martin Brodeur made a beautiful shorthanded breakaway save on Mike Richards. The Flyers struck first at 9:42 of the first on Mike Knuble’s goal. Knuble’s came around from behind the net, pushing the puck through Brodeur’s stick and legs. The game was heating up as Riley Cote and Mike Rupp took 5 minute penalties for fighting.

The second period gave the fans their money’s worth. Zach Parise tied the game just 27 seconds into the second period. Colin White took a shot from the point, and Parise nicely deflected the shot down past the Flyer’s Martin Biron. Scott Hartnell gave Phily their second lead of the game on a goal right after the Devils killed off a penalty. A shot went through Brodeur’s legs through the crease, and Hartnell was there on the doorstep to finish it. However, with less than two minutes remaining in the period, Brian Gionta scored his first goal of the season to tie the game at two a piece.

The game was taken up a level in the second when simultaneous fights between Arron Asham and Rupp, and Pierre-Luc Leblond and Cote, break out. Rupp and Asham were given game-misconducts for starting the fight after one was already underway (even though they literally happened at the exact same moment). The game’s intensity did not slow. Another fight broke out between Devil new-comer Sheldon Brookbank and Scott Hartnell. The period had a startling fifteen penalties, including the game-misconducts.

An intense third period did not bring any goals. Good opportunities for both sides, along with some spectacular saves, made for an exciting period that would end with both sides securing at least one point in the standings.

Overtime was just as thrilling. Biron made a diving poke check to save the game for the Flyers as Parise would have been alone in front with a chance to win it. Brodeur would not be shown up. Going down too early on a shot to the left of him, he stacked his pads and made the initial save. A rebound chance went over Brodeur’s pads, while he was still on his back, hit off the crossbar and looked as if it would drop down for the game-winning goal. Not so fast. Brodeur turned slightly and reached behind him to grab the puck before it crossed the goal-line. However, this was not enough as the Jeff Carter would score on a deflection not too long after.

The Devils lose their second straight game in as many nights to the Flyers, and drop to 5-2-1 on the season.

Notes:

Flyers have scored a goal in every second period this season.
Jamie Langenbrunner did not play due to a hip injury he suffered in Friday's game.
Four fight in the game tied for the most in a game this season in all the NHL.