Back in action once again tonight, this time it’s the season wrap up against the team the Islanders just cannot seem to figure out – the Philadelphia Flyers. The Islanders have not beaten the Flyers in a staggering 15 games – straight. Per the Islanders preview of tonight’s game, they have also been outscored 51-25 in that span of games. No wonder why they’ve been dominated.
Perhaps that all will change tonight though, the Flyers come into the Coliseum confident and hungry for the points as they find themselves looking to claim one of the final three playoff positions in the Eastern Conference. Can the Islanders play spoilers? It would be a nice confidence boost for this young squad for sure.
Right from the Flyers head coach, Peter Laviolette had this to say on the very subject:
“Any team is capable of beating any team on any given night. The team that works the hardest and executes better usually wins the game.
“I know that the Islanders are capable of beating us, so we better be ready to make sure we’re ready to beat them. They have a good hockey team and play hard, so it won’t be easy.”
If the Islanders come out tonight playing like they did for the first 20 minutes of the loss to the Rangers the other night, for 60 minutes – they should have no problem beating these Flyers tonight.
I guess we are about to find out.
One lone blogger I be, tonight. Boo.
First Period
7:08pm Flyers control the opening draw. As some kids sprint behind me almost knocking me over in the sacred Blog Box area.
7:11pm Islanders appear to have scored from a point shot, under review currently (for what I do not know exactly).
7:12pm Tavares mat have tipped in Comeau’s shot, they are checking to see if it was hit with a high stick.
7:15pm After a lengthy review, it was not hit with a high stick – 1-0 Islanders lead with 17:33 remaining in the first. Goal scored by Comeau assisted by Tavares, now we know why it wasn’t a high stick.
7:20pm Islanders have tested Boucher early and often, he is all over his crease tonight.
7:35pm WOW two goals in less than a minute and it’s 3-0 Islanders.
Second goal scored by Comeau assisted by Tavares
Third goal, scored by Nielsen assisted by Sim and Hunter
7:34pm Flyers just iced the puck for the fourth or fifth time, safe to say the Isles forecheck is effective tonight. Flyers are beginning to show some life though, Islanders need to stem the tide and continue their strong play.
7:37pm Hunter with a hard shot on Boucher, it was the Isles first since their third goal.
7:38pm Okposo going strong behind Biron gets hauled down by Hartnell, Islanders power play coming up.
7:47pm Final minute
7:48pm Islanders have iced the puck with 7.2 seconds remaining.
Before I get all ahead of myself, that was ONE HECK of a period by the Islanders. However, as we have seen time and time again this season, the Islanders need to put in more than 20 minutes of an effort if they want to win here tonight.
What about that guy Blake Comeau?
He has two goals tonight, two goals against the Rangers and this is his second time scoring multiple goals in back to back (and even back to back to back) games this season. He really must love those new sticks.
The team needs to stay sharp defensively, keep the pressure on with the forecheck, and generate shots – lots of shots, but not just from anywhere – they need to be from scoring areas as they have been doing. If they can keep everything up, no reason why they cannot go into the locker room with a lead after 40 minutes of hockey.
Second Period
8:06pm Second period underway, Flyers carry the puck right into the Islanders zone and put pressure on before they are able to swing it back down briefly.
8:08pm Jackman gives up his body in an attempt to block a shot, it wound up trickling wide.
8:09pm Bailey was hit up high and raised his arms in frustration.
8:10 Bergenheim scoresssss makes it 4-0 How about this line of Tavares, Comeau and Bergenheim?
8:12pm Bergenheim from Streit – it was the second flukey goal scored on Boucher tonight. This time it was banked in off his skate and between his pad and the post. Great play in my eyes.
8:14pm Meyer to the box for roughing.
8:17pm Islanders kill off that penalty and do not allow a shot on goal.
8:20pm Biron with a great save on an opportunity by Hartnell. He came all the way across his crease to make a pad save.
8:22pm Gillies and Cote have a few words and then Gillies destroys Cote. They are still talking in the box, will we see round two?
8:28pm Bergenheim nails Bartulis along the nearside boards. Islanders have been stepping it up in the hits department this period.
8:37pm With 1:45 remaining in the second period, the Islanders are headed to the power play, interference called on Leino.
8:39pm Moulson and Tavares each had great shots on net, but were both robbed by Boucher.
End of the Second Period
Another great period, but not as great as the first. The Islanders allowed the Flyers to get back into the game, although they scored another goal themselves – the lead stays at three goals (Isles lead 4-1).
We saw a little bit of everything this period, great penalty kill, a power play that was getting some shots off and lots of hitting. They Islanders have out played the Flyers for 40 minutes, can they come in strong for the final 20? We shall see.
Third Period
8:59pm Flyers win the draw, enter the zone and take a shot that is deflected into the crowd by Biron.
9:00pm Islanders are now 0/2 on the power play tonight.
9:03pm Hunter scores! Assists to Nielsen and Sim. Hunter’s goal was the result of great hand eye coordination by Sim, who knocked the puck out of the air and started the rush. Flyers yank Boucher who has allowed 5 goals on 24 shots.
9:05pm Islanders on the penalty kill, Okposo for high sticking.
9:05pm After a marvelous defensive play by Hillen, van Riemsdyk slides a rebound through Biron’s legs and it’s 5-2.
9:12pm Islanders are now being out shot by the Flyers 29 to 24.
9:14pm Islanders power play, Hartnell to the box for goaltender interference.
9:18pm Islanders are now 0/3 on the power play. They have also iced the puck two times since their PP expired. 9:06 left in the third.
9:20pm SIM SCORESSSSS. What a game by Sim tonight. 6-2 Islanders, Double Chili!! Assists to Bergenheim and Reese
9:21pm Gillies sticks Cote in the back of the leg going to the bench and gets called for a slash after the play is over. They exchanged words as he headed to the box. Good for him for trying to get him going.
9:26pm Biron just caught a puck to the mask off a slap shot and it deflected out of play. He just shrugged it off and said “All in a days work!”.
9:29pm Briere scores on a wraparound that was decided a goal well after the play. 6-3 in favor of the Isles.
9:31pm Flyers score another, make it 6-4
The streak ends at 15 for these Islanders, as they have FINALLY defeated the Flyers by a score of 6-4.
Shot total Flyers 35 – Isles 28
