Rathje's mistake proves costly for Flyers

With the Nashville Predators in for a visit at the Wachovia Center last night, the Flyers knew they could make few mistakes, if any. Although the younger guys made few errors, it was veteran defenseman Mike Rathje who made the biggest mistake of them all.

Mike Knuble, who had signed a two-year contract extension earlier in the day, scored his 8th goal of the season just under five minutes into the game. It was a rebound goal off an original shot from Peter Forsberg. Knuble followed the play to put the Flyers in front 1-0.

That lead held until Steve Sullivan got Nashville on the board. Like the Flyers' first goal, Sullivan's was off a rebound. The puck bounced back to Sullivan after Antero Niittymaki made a diving stop on the first shot. Sullivan got the puck back and fired it past Niittymaki, who was too far out of position to make a second save. Sullivan's goal, his 7th of the year, tied the game at 1-1.

After Alexander Radulov scored to put the Predators up 2-1 in the second period, R.J. Umberger potted his 7th goal of the year to tie the game at 2-2 with just over six minutes to play. The Flyers were hoping to at least drag the game into overtime, but Rathje's turnover proved to be the difference in the game.

Rathje was trying to make a play in his own zone, but gave the puck away to Paul Kariya right in front of the goal. Kariya quickly dished off to Martin Erat, who was in perfect position for a point blank shot. Erat fired it past Niittymaki, and the Predators celebrated a 3-2 victory as they held on in the final five minutes.

Rathje was booed each time he touched the puck in those remaining five minutes. When Philadelphia fans find a target, they'll stick with him for a while. In this case, they have a point. Rathje has consistently been the most inconsistent defenseman this season for the team, a reason for the boos for certain. This isn't the first time either. Rathje received much criticism for blocking the view of Niittymaki in a game a few weeks back against the Sabres in which Danny Briere beat the Flyers in overtime. Of course, Rathje is playing through severe back pains. Yet right now, the only pain for Flyers fans is watching Rathje on defense.

Rathje and the rest of the team will head up to Long Island tonight to take on the Islanders. Despite all the jokes in the offseason about hiring Garth Snow as the general manager and the large contract handed to Rick DiPietro, the Islanders have 27 points, and trail the Rangers by just two in the division. The Flyers, 12 points back, have a long way to go. If they keep making mistakes, it'll be a while before the basement is empty.