The Flyers may have gotten off to a terrible start that included failed clearing attempts turning into soft goals, but they didn't curl up and die under their seemingly bleak prospects. For the third time this season, they dug their way out of a 3-0 deficit, responding with three straight of their own. Scott Hartnell scored his 29th and 30th goals, and also threw down the gloves for a fight that helped spark the turnaround.
Ilya Bryzgalov let up a pair of softies to start the game, then contributed to a shorthanded sequence that saw the Flames jump to a 3-0 lead. Bryz was clearly frustrated after the second goal, smashing his stick, and the third goal felt like the weight of the world. Hopefully you didn't take the tempting option of doing something else with your Saturday night at that point.
Bryz buckled down after that, and the Flyers' attack started soon
after. Despite getting boned for a penalty shot call that resulted in
another Flames goal, the Flyers kept at it, forced overtime, then
finally won, 5-4, in the shootout.
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It's hard not to be
frustrated at the holes the Flyers dig for themselves, as well as
worried about Bryzgalov continuing to let in soft goals, but damn if
their ability to maintain composure and mount a comeback isn't
impressive.
Jake Voracek's goal to open the scoring for the Flyers was the perfect start for an improbably comeback. He swiped the puck from Mike Cammalleri, pushed it past him and drove at Miikka Kiprusoff, beating him with about four minutes left in the second period.