PHILADELPHIA, PA - The Flyers found their groove as they beat up on the Islanders for a 5-1 victory at the Wachovia Center
Saturday night. Patrick Sharp's 1st period goal proved to be the difference maker and was one of 4 Flyers goals in that
period.
The Islanders were never really able to establish any momentum, but did manage to tie the game in the 1st period before the flood gates opened.
Michal York provided the tying goal after Michal Handzus scored his first of the night for the Flyers.
Handzus' second goal of the night was not as clear cut as the first, which was basically a slam dunk into the net.
The second goal was originally credited to Brian Savage, but was reviewed during the 1st intermission. It had looked
rather clear that Savage had punched in a loose puck from under Isles goaltender Garth Snow, but the replay showed that
Zeus was actually able to reach back and push the puck by as he fell.
There were a windfall of penalties, as has become the norm in the new NHL. Although many players have voiced their displeasure with the number and nature of the calls, Robert Esche seems to feel that the calls were fair.
"To be honest with you, I thought the refs did a good job tonight. The calls are the calls, and we as the players are going to have to adjust to that", Esche commented.
Simon Gagne continued his winning ways by registering his 7th goal of the season. A beautiful pass from Eric Desjardins
found its way to Gags, who was waiting patiently at the opposite post. A simple wrist motion and the Flyers had the 4 goal lead that
would stick for the remainder of the evening.
"I just feel really relaxed out there. The goal seems very big. When
you are going through a tough streak, it is tough to put the puck in. Hopefully the puck will keep going in," Gagne said when asked about his recent scoring streak.
Flyers captain Keith Primeau lent some perspective to Gagne's dominant play. "He is playing possessed, and has really stepped up his game. He's a leader on the ice as well as off of it. He's being rewarded with goals with the way he is playing."
Also adding to the Flyers totals were Kim Johnsson and Patrick Sharp.
Now the Flyers will begin a week long layoff, which will include a trip to West Point for a battery of team building exercises and practices.
The Flyers wont return to action for real until the 22nd, when they will face the Toronto Maple Leafs at the Air Canada Centre.
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1st period goals
PHI - 2:02 - Handzus (2) Richards, Johnsson
NYI - 4:46 - York (1) Zhitnik, Yashin (PP)
PHI - 11:07 - Sharp (1) Primeau, Carter (PP)
PHI - 14:00 - Johnsson (1) unassisted
PHI - 16:43 - Handzus (3) Richards
1st period penalties
PHI - 3:04 - Bench Minor (Too many men) (2:00)
PHI - 4:27 - Hatcher (high sticking) (4:00)
PHI - 7:14 - Esche (delay of game) (2:00)
NYI - 9:23 - Niinimaa (tripping) (2:00)
NYI - 18:52 - Niinimaa (interference) (2:00)
NYI - 19:43 - Blake (hooking) (2:00)
2nd period goals
PHI - 11:53 - Gagne (7) Desjardins, Forsberg (PP)
2nd period penalties
PHI - 5:55 - Brashear (unsportsmanlike conduct) (2:00)
NYI - 5:55 - Hunter (roughing) (2:00)
NYI - 5:55 - Godard (unsportsmanlike conduct) (2:00)
NYI - 5:55 - Godard (misconduct) (10:00)
NYI - 7:58 - Sopel (tripping) (2:00)
NYI - 11:01 - Martinek (interference) (2:00)
NYI - 11:32 - Asham (holding)(2:00)
PHI - 14:29 - Knuble (high sticking) (2:00)
PHI - 17:26 - Desjardins (holding) (2:00)
NYI - 18:13 - Zhitnik (holding the stick) (2:00)
NYI - 19:00 - Niinimaa (cross checking) (2:00)
NYI - 19:48 - Lukowich (cross checking) (2:00)
3rd period goals
None
3rd period penalties
NYI - :09 - Sopel (tripping) (2:00)
PHI - 3:54 - Brashear (fighting) (5:00)
NYI - 3:54 - Godard (fighting) (5:00)
PHI - 7:56 - Johnsson (holding) (2:00)
NYI - 10:15 - Lukowich (cross checking) (2:00)
PHI - 13:16 - Savage (elbowing) (2:00)
PHI - 18:45 - Radivojevic (high sticking) (2:00)
NYI - 19:22 - Zhitnik (interference) (2:00)
Attendance: 19,543
Referees: Marc Joannette, Chris Lee
Linesmen: Derek Amell, Brad Kovachik
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