The winless streak at Madison Square Garden dating back to 2011 finally ended this afternoon. After going down early in the game 2-0 the Flyers battled back to win 4-2 and tie the playoff series at 1-1. The Flyers now head back to the Wells Fargo Center for Tuesday's Game 3 with the momentum in the series.
Ray Emery started today's game, his first back-to-back start this season, in place of the injured Steve Mason. Mason is still dealing with whiplash he received when Jayson Megna of the Penguins pushed his own defender into him last Saturday. Emery's play was a huge factor in getting the win today. His 31 saves gave the Flyers the opportunity to rally on the offensive side of the puck. Luke Schenn said it best, "Our best penalty killer was our goalie today."
It wasn't looking so good early in the first period as the Rangers jumped out to 2-0 lead eight minutes into the game. Martin St. Louis scored the first goal after sloppy cross-ice passes led to a Flyer turnover and Derek Stepan was able to find St. Louis camped out by the net on a 3-on-2.
The second Ranger goal came from avid hater of pronouncing T's, Benoit Pouliot, who didn't get all of his shot, but was able to beat Emery on one timer.
The Flyers top line was able to settle things down soon after. With 5:44 left in the first Jakub Voracek received a chip pass from Scott Hartnell. Voracek had no angle and no real business scoring a goal, but he kept control of the puck, fought off Ryan McDonagh and slipped the puck past Hank Lundqvist's skate to make it 2-1.
The Flyers were outshot 17-9 in the second, but 2 goals from unlikely sources put them ahead. Jason Akeson, who probably felt horrible after his penalty last game that got everyone talking, redeemed himself today with a power play goal. Akeson was alert and punched home a rebound off Lundqvist's skate. Clearly Berube trusts the kid, to play him again today, and now we see why. With many people in Philly calling for his head, Berube said, "Should I sit out everybody that takes a penalty?" Akeson played well today, which he also did Thursday, this time he replaced the 4 minute penalty with a goal though, which makes everyone happy.
Luke Schenn scored next on a rush that the Flyers created after a delayed penalty call. After Adam Hall's shot went off Lundqvist's pads and into the slot, Schenn found it and scored.
Wayne Simmonds scored the empty netter with 24 seconds left to seal the game at 4-2. The Rangers pulled Hank, but that only put them a 5-on-5 thanks to a penalty for too many men on the ice received with 1:19 left.
Undisciplined play cost the Flyers again today. The team gave up 6 power plays. The Rangers were no better though, getting into many careless scrums with the Flyers, which is kind of what we feed upon. The Rangers also a had 2 potential power plays negated by embellishment calls. I guess they were doing a Penguins impression or something.
Now tied 1-1, the series comes to Philadelphia on Tuesday. Puck drop is schedule for 8:00 pm.
-Ben Lebo
Follow us on Twitter: @BroadStBeat
It wasn't looking so good early in the first period as the Rangers jumped out to 2-0 lead eight minutes into the game. Martin St. Louis scored the first goal after sloppy cross-ice passes led to a Flyer turnover and Derek Stepan was able to find St. Louis camped out by the net on a 3-on-2.
The second Ranger goal came from avid hater of pronouncing T's, Benoit Pouliot, who didn't get all of his shot, but was able to beat Emery on one timer.
The Flyers top line was able to settle things down soon after. With 5:44 left in the first Jakub Voracek received a chip pass from Scott Hartnell. Voracek had no angle and no real business scoring a goal, but he kept control of the puck, fought off Ryan McDonagh and slipped the puck past Hank Lundqvist's skate to make it 2-1.
The Flyers were outshot 17-9 in the second, but 2 goals from unlikely sources put them ahead. Jason Akeson, who probably felt horrible after his penalty last game that got everyone talking, redeemed himself today with a power play goal. Akeson was alert and punched home a rebound off Lundqvist's skate. Clearly Berube trusts the kid, to play him again today, and now we see why. With many people in Philly calling for his head, Berube said, "Should I sit out everybody that takes a penalty?" Akeson played well today, which he also did Thursday, this time he replaced the 4 minute penalty with a goal though, which makes everyone happy.
Luke Schenn scored next on a rush that the Flyers created after a delayed penalty call. After Adam Hall's shot went off Lundqvist's pads and into the slot, Schenn found it and scored.
Wayne Simmonds scored the empty netter with 24 seconds left to seal the game at 4-2. The Rangers pulled Hank, but that only put them a 5-on-5 thanks to a penalty for too many men on the ice received with 1:19 left.
Undisciplined play cost the Flyers again today. The team gave up 6 power plays. The Rangers were no better though, getting into many careless scrums with the Flyers, which is kind of what we feed upon. The Rangers also a had 2 potential power plays negated by embellishment calls. I guess they were doing a Penguins impression or something.
Now tied 1-1, the series comes to Philadelphia on Tuesday. Puck drop is schedule for 8:00 pm.
-Ben Lebo
Follow us on Twitter: @BroadStBeat
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