Comeback Power: Giroux Pots OT Winner, Jagr Nets Two

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When a team concedes two unanswered goals in the first period, the likelihood they'll win isn't particularly good. When they let up a third straight in the second period, leaving the ice with a W is a considerable longshot. Thanks to three powerplay goals, including one in overtime, the Flyers did just that on Saturday night, coming all the way back from a 3-0 deficit to beat the Anaheim Ducks 4-3 in overtime. Jaromir Jagr's groin seems to be in working order, as the 39-year-old scored a pair of goals and assisted on another. Claude Giroux sniped the overtime winner, putting an absolute laser over Jonas Hiller's shoulder.

Notes and video highlights below. Gotta see this Giroux goal...

The Flyers were badly outplayed in the first period, perhaps rusty after not seeing game action in almost a full week. They allowed a weak opening goal on a long outlet pass up the middle that saw Andrew Cogliano charge in on goal and push a one-handed shot past Ilya Bryzgalov. Bryz hesitated to make his move and went for the poke-check a moment too late.

Two minutes later, the ageless Teemu Selanne scored his ninth of the season. The first Ducks goal came on the power play, but the second sure looked like it did. Matt Beleskey had time to play with the puck behind the net, then pass to Saku Koivu, who nutmegged Braydon Coburn with a pass to Selanne for the Finnish finish. Koivu was also the quarterback on the long pass that sprung the first Ducks goal, taking advantage of a Flyers change.

Andrew Gordon was credited with the Ducks' third goal after he, Ben Maxwell, and Maxime Macenauer overpowered a blue-line pairing of Marc-Andre Bourdon and Kevin Marshall. Maxwell's shot from the left circle was stopped by Bryzgalov, but a big rebound rattled around the skates of Gordon and Bourdon before finding its way over the goal line.

Jagr would finally get the Flyers on the board in the second period, deflecting a Kimmo Timonen point shot on the power play to beat Hiller (who has my current favorite goalie mask in the NHL). The Czech scored his second of the night on a two-man advantage, playing catch with Kimmo before blasting a one-timer past Hiller.

Play that back and listen to the crowd go absolutely nuts. Love hearing that in a barn 2,700 miles away. Well done, west coast Flyers fans, including our friends Jason R and Dave H.

Notes:
Jagr now has three two-goal games this season. Absolute baller. He took 16 shots, with 10 being on net, and had his stick cocked and ready if Briere had passed to his right instead of to Giroux on his left for the winner. Carchidi says that Jags felt like he was going to puke out there though, not quite in game shape after the injury layoff.

What the hell's going on with the bum starts lately? Flyers PR says the team has trailed after one in five of their last six games, outscored 11-2 in the frame over that stretch.

It might be a bit early for new coach Bruce Boudreau to light into his team or his captain, but they lost tonight because they took nine penalties, some of which were flagrant and unable to be overlooked by the refs. Getzlaf took a tripping penalty in OT, then doubled down in complaining and drew an additional two minutes.

Selanne was pretty pissed when interviewed in the dressing room after the game, wanting a simple 10-minute misconduct rather than a pair of minors to Getzlaf.

Both goalies had gorgeous glove saves in the first period. Sam Carchidi thinks we see Bryz again tomorrow.

Giroux's two points put him just one behind Toronto's Phil Kessel, with a game in hand.

Full Highlights:Up Next:
The Flyers head to Phoenix to face the Coyotes at 8PM tomorrow.

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