Flyers steal one on Long Island
With Mike Rathje and Joni Pitkanen out of the Flyers lineup Thursday night, the team had a defensive corps that included Alex Picard, Jussi Timonen, Randy Jones, Derian Hatcher, Lars Jonsson and Freddy Meyer. Nonetheless, the young guns got it done as Antero Niittymaki played well again in a 3-2 win over the Islanders.
Before the game, it was announced defenseman Mike Rathje would be shut down due to his nagging back injury. It is not known how long Rathje will be out, but when the word "retirement" is thro
wn around, it's no laughing matter for him. Rathje's piriformis syndrome, which pinches the sciatic nerve, has bothered him all season long. Now Rathje must decide whether or not to get surgery, which would shut him down for the season, or to try and continue to play through the pain. He should be placed on the IR, which will allow the Flyers some slight roster flexibility. If he is placed on the long term injury list, it would also shut him down for the season, and save the Flyers some money against the cap. He will talk to general manager Paul Holmgren on Friday and the two will try to reach some sort of agreement.
Meanwhile, the action on the ice was fast and furious. Randy Robitaille got the scoring started midway through the first period on the power play, as he tipped in a shot from Alex Picard. For Picard, it was his first NHL assist, and the Flyers took the early lead. Rick DiPietro, the Islanders' 67.5 million dollar man, did not play due to injury and fatigue. Mike Dunham took his place in net.
The Flyers then got a late shorthanded goal from star Simon Gagne, who used his speed to get past the Islander defense. He had a breakaway attempt, and buried it with just five seconds left in the period to give the Flyers the momentum and the 2-0 lead heading into the second.
With the Flyers leading 2-0 late in the second period, Mike Knuble scored his 9th goal of the season on a rebound in front of the New York net. The power play goal was the Flyers' second of the night. They also had a shorthanded goal to accompany the two power play scores. It can be said that as of late, the special teams have truely been the difference for the team's turnaround.
The Flyers though could not stop the cardinal sin of hockey, as the Islanders scored with just 31 seconds left in the frame. Chris Simon netted the Islanders goal, and suddenly New York had all the momentum back on their side heading into the third despite trailing by two goals.
In the third period Niittymaki faced a flurry of Islanders shots; keeping busy with 12 saves on 13 shots in the final 20 minutes. Richard Park did score to make it 3-2 with 10 minutes to play, but Niittymaki held his ground and Flyers won 3-2 despite being outshot 13-2 in the final frame. In fact, Niittymaki stopped 39 of 41 shots on net to get the win.
The Flyers will get Friday off before returning to the Wachovia Center to face the Devils on Saturday night. The Devils are currently jostling with the Rangers for the top spot in the Atlantic Division.
With Mike Rathje and Joni Pitkanen out of the Flyers lineup Thursday night, the team had a defensive corps that included Alex Picard, Jussi Timonen, Randy Jones, Derian Hatcher, Lars Jonsson and Freddy Meyer. Nonetheless, the young guns got it done as Antero Niittymaki played well again in a 3-2 win over the Islanders.
Before the game, it was announced defenseman Mike Rathje would be shut down due to his nagging back injury. It is not known how long Rathje will be out, but when the word "retirement" is thro
wn around, it's no laughing matter for him. Rathje's piriformis syndrome, which pinches the sciatic nerve, has bothered him all season long. Now Rathje must decide whether or not to get surgery, which would shut him down for the season, or to try and continue to play through the pain. He should be placed on the IR, which will allow the Flyers some slight roster flexibility. If he is placed on the long term injury list, it would also shut him down for the season, and save the Flyers some money against the cap. He will talk to general manager Paul Holmgren on Friday and the two will try to reach some sort of agreement.Meanwhile, the action on the ice was fast and furious. Randy Robitaille got the scoring started midway through the first period on the power play, as he tipped in a shot from Alex Picard. For Picard, it was his first NHL assist, and the Flyers took the early lead. Rick DiPietro, the Islanders' 67.5 million dollar man, did not play due to injury and fatigue. Mike Dunham took his place in net.
The Flyers then got a late shorthanded goal from star Simon Gagne, who used his speed to get past the Islander defense. He had a breakaway attempt, and buried it with just five seconds left in the period to give the Flyers the momentum and the 2-0 lead heading into the second.
With the Flyers leading 2-0 late in the second period, Mike Knuble scored his 9th goal of the season on a rebound in front of the New York net. The power play goal was the Flyers' second of the night. They also had a shorthanded goal to accompany the two power play scores. It can be said that as of late, the special teams have truely been the difference for the team's turnaround.
The Flyers though could not stop the cardinal sin of hockey, as the Islanders scored with just 31 seconds left in the frame. Chris Simon netted the Islanders goal, and suddenly New York had all the momentum back on their side heading into the third despite trailing by two goals.
In the third period Niittymaki faced a flurry of Islanders shots; keeping busy with 12 saves on 13 shots in the final 20 minutes. Richard Park did score to make it 3-2 with 10 minutes to play, but Niittymaki held his ground and Flyers won 3-2 despite being outshot 13-2 in the final frame. In fact, Niittymaki stopped 39 of 41 shots on net to get the win.
The Flyers will get Friday off before returning to the Wachovia Center to face the Devils on Saturday night. The Devils are currently jostling with the Rangers for the top spot in the Atlantic Division.
posted by Victor at 9:09 AM
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