Photographer: Kate Frese
Panthers down Flyers in shootout
I have been writing for Sports Talk Philly since 2011. Currently editor and lead writer of Philadelphia Flyers coverage. Co-host of the YWT Podcast. I also am Flyers insider for 97.3 ESPN-FM in South Jersey. I graduated from Cabrini University in 2014.
All posts by Kevin DursoPublished18 Dec 2014
The Flyers had a chance to close the homestand off with more success. In a sense, they did.
After failing to record a point for the first time in five games, the Flyers grabbed a point on Thursday night.
But the dreaded shootout struck again as the Flyers couldn't beat Roberto Luongo in overtime as the Florida Panthers claimed a 2-1 shootout win over the Flyers at Wells Fargo Center.
The first period significantly favored the Panthers. Florida held possession for most of the period and generated 12 shots on goal.
One of those chances was the first goal of the game. At 9:37, Tomas Kopecky centered the puck on Steve Mason and the rebound hit off the chest of Scottie Upshall and beat Mason to give the Panthers the 1-0 lead. It was Upshall's fourth goal of the season.
The Flyers improved their level of play late in the first and that carried over early in the second. Jake Voracek managed to tie the game on a shot from the slot off a great set-up from Pierre-Edouard Bellemare at 4:07.
Despite a much stronger second period, the Panthers still held a 23-17 shot advantage following 40 minutes of play.
A tightly-played third period – shots were even, 5-5 – came and went without much fanfare as the two teams headed for overtime.
The Flyers had the clear edge in overtime but could not beat Luongo, who made two great saves on Mark Streit and Andrew MacDonald.
That sent the game to a shootout. Brandon Pirri scored in the first round for Florida, but Voracek scored in the third round to force sudden death.
It took until the sixth round before Dave Bolland beat Mason to give Florida an edge. Sean Couturier was stopped at the other end and the Panthers claimed the victory.
Mason made 31 saves in the loss. Luongo stopped 25 of 26 shots from the Flyers.
The Flyers closed the homestand with a 2-1-1 record and now head on the road for the next eight games.
The Flyers are back in action on Saturday night when they face the Toronto Maple Leafs. The opening face-off from Toronto is set for 7 p.m.
Kevin Durso is managing editor for Flyerdelphia. Follow him on Twitter @Kevin_Durso.
