Flyers falter late, fall to Columbus in overtime

Wayne Simmonds scored two goals and added an assist. Ray Emery made 29 saves. In the end, It wasn't enough. Columbus climbed back from a 3-1 deficit midway through the third as Jared Boll and Cam Atkinson each scored to tie it. Artem Anisimov finished off the comeback 2:17 into overtime and Columbus defeated the Flyers 4-3 Friday night.

The Blue Jackets had the jump early. They forced the Flyers into multiple turnovers in their own zone throughout the first ten minutes. They had the game's first three shots and six good scoring chances.

The Flyers did not buckle and Wayne Simmonds put them up 1-0 at the 10:33 mark. Simmonds netted his 20th of the season off a great pass from Matt Read. Read picked up the puck deep in his own zone, skated to center and made a beautiful saucer pass to Simmonds who buried it.

After the goal Columbus would once again assert themselves out shooting Philadelphia 11-7 for the period. Ray Emery made two or three big saves off Flyers turnovers to send the teams to the locker room with Philadelphia ahead.

Columbus came out on fire yet again. They held possession in the Flyers zone for the better part of the first eight minutes and finally beat Emery.

Brandon Dubinsky scored his fourth of the year at at 8:09. He was able to deflect a Kevin Connauton shot in tight to tie it 1-1. Emery had no chance on the goal. Columbus had outshot the Flyers 8-1 in the period at the time of the goal.

For much of the first two periods the Flyers could not sustain any pressure. Every time the Flyers would get a shot, Columbus would come right out of the zone. Columbus repeatedly had multiple chances each time they entered the Flyers zone.

Emery was outstanding and kept the score tied until the Flyers pulled ahead late when Sean Couturier netted his 12th of the year at 17:47.

Wayne Simmonds broke down the wing and dished the puck out front. Couturier was able to swat the puck home on the second try for the goal. The goal was briefly reviewed but the goal stood sending the teams to the room with the Flyers up 2-1.

The Flyers would start the third period on the power play but could not generate anything. Just over five minutes in, Columbus would go back to the box. This time Philly made them pay.

Wayne Simmonds scored his second of the game and 21st of the season on the power play to put the Flyers up 3-1. Simmonds was able to slam home the rebound off Claude Giroux's shot. Both Giroux and Jakub Voracek picked up the helpers.

Jared Boll would get his first goal in over year at 8:38 to bring Columbus back to within one at 3-2. Corey Tropp amd Mark Letestu got the assists. 

Columbus would not go away. Cam Atkinson scored his 12th of the season at 15:20 to tie it at 3-3. Scott Hartnell and Brandon Dubinsky got the assists. Emery made the initial save on the play but Atkinson was left alone in front to slam home the rebound.

The Flyers would get another chance on the man advantage just two minutes later. They were unable to score on the power play and the game would head to overtime.

Columbus would complete the comeback at 2:17 of the over time. Artem Anisimov slammed home a rebound to give Columbus the 4-3 victory. 

Ray Emery played a fantastic game despite allowing four goals. In all, he stopped 29 shots. Early on he kept Philadelphia in the game as Columbus dictated play through the first two periods.

The Flyers will be back in action on Sunday as they visit the Sabres.

Bill Minchin is a contributing writer for Flyerdelphia. Follow Bill on twitter @wtfd103074