Giroux’s OT Winner Lifts Flyers Over Senators

By Kevin Durso, Sports Talk Philly editor 

Claude Giroux scored to snap a nine-game goalless drought on Tuesday night, and that began a pretty good 48 hours for the Flyers captain.

On the day between the Flyers shootout win over the Bruins and Thursday night's game in Ottawa, Giroux got engaged. How do you celebrate a life milestone like that? How about with two goals, including the game-winner in overtime, in a return to his hometown of Ottawa.

Giroux buried a one-timer off a feed from Jake Voracek in the extra session to give the Flyers a 3-2 win over the Senators on Thursday.

The first period started slow with limited offense through eight minutes. Shortly after, Ottawa got the game's first power play and took advantage.

The Flyers tried to disrupt the cycle and that allowed the Senators to move the puck quick. Mark Stone found Mike Hoffman wide open for an easy goal, Hoffman's eighth of the season and fourth in the last two games.

The Flyers got a late power-play chance, but failed to get anything generated. The Senators outshot the Flyers, 10-8, in the first period.

Early in the second, the Senators used some pressure around the Flyers net to extend the lead. A point shot by Dion Phaneuf hit Mark Streit. Ryan Dzingel found the loose puck first and chipped a shot over Steve Mason to make it 2-0 Ottawa.

The Flyers would have two power plays come and go without much of anything in the offensive zone. Despite that, the Flyers started getting better scoring chances at even strength following Ottawa's second goal and finally cashed in late in the second.

With 3:10 remaining in the period, Voracek set up Giroux for the first time. Giroux's shot hit off an Ottawa defender and went by Mike Condon to put the Flyers on the board.

One minute later, with the pressure still on, Michael Del Zotto threw a shot on goal that deflected and went in to tie the game. 

A methodical third period played out with a few scoring chances but neither team really coming close to taking the game. Puck battles were intense, as the teams took away open space and shots were limited. Ottawa held the shot advantage in the third, 9-6, as the game went to overtime.

It took 40 seconds for the Flyers to strike. Voracek's great individual effort to shake a defender gave him time to set up Giroux for the one-timer and game-winning goal.

Mason made 19 saves in picking up the win. The Flyers outshot the Senators, 32-21, in the game.

The Flyers return to action on Saturday afternoon when they play host to the Chicago Blackhawks. Game time is set for 1 p.m.

Box Score

Scoring Summary

1st Period

• OTT Mike Hoffman (8) PP (Mark Stone, Kyle Turris) 8:23

2nd Period

• OTT Ryan Dzingel (6) (Dion Phaneuf, Turris) 1:57
• PHI Claude Giroux (6) (Jake Voracek) 16:50
• PHI Michael Del Zotto (3) (Mark Streit, Matt Read) 17:50

3rd Period

• No Scoring

Overtime

• PHI Giroux (7) (Voracek) 0:40

Game Statistics