Gostisbehere’s three assists, Schenn power play goal lead Flyers to victory

By: Bill Minchin, Sports Talk Philly writer

Wayne Simmonds, Jakub Voracek, and Brayden Schenn gave the Flyers a 3-0 lead early in the second period. Marcus Granlund and Jannick Hansen got the Canucks back to within one but it wasn't enough as the Philadelphia Flyers defeated the Vancouver Canucks 3-2 on Sunday night.

The Flyers got off to a good start. They were able to get Vancouver to take the first penalty of the game as Michael Chaput was called for tripping. Philadelphia was unable to capitalize with the man advantage.

Vancouver continued their undisciplined play as Alexandre Burrows took a hooking penalty just one minute after the first penalty expired. This time they didn't dodge the bullet. 

Wayne Simmonds put the Flyers ahead at 5:45 of the first period with his 25th of the season on the power play. Simmonds slammed home a rebound of a Shayne Gostisbehere shot. The play was reviewed but the goal counted. Ivan Provorov picked up the other assist. 

Vancouver would play better over the final ten minutes of the opening period and were aided by two power plays of their own but were unable to get the game tied. Michal Neuvirth made eight saves and the teams went to the locker room with the Flyers ahead 1-0 after 20 minutes.

Jakub Voracek extended the Flyers lead just 1:11 into the second. Voracek put home the rebound of a Sean Couturier shot for his 15th of the season. Gostisbehere picked up the other assist.

Brayden Schenn picked up his 18th of the season just a minute and a half later. Schenn's goal came with Nikita Tryamkin in the box for interference. He beat Ryan Miller clean with a shot from the slot. Gostisbehere picked up his third helper of the night as the Flyers built a 3-0 lead.

Vancouver would not go away. Marcus Granlund made it 3-1 at 3:43 of the second period as he beat Neuvirth with a world class deflection.  Granlund tipped a shot by Daniel Sedin for his 15th of the season. Henrik Sedin picked up the other assist. 

The Canucks made it 3-2 at 12:42 of the period on Jannick Hansen's sixth of the season. Bo Horvat and Ben Hutton picked up the helpers. 

The Flyers held a 20-14 shot advantage and a 3-2 lead after 40 minutes.

The third period was a tight checking affair. Neither team generated much and the final 20 minutes, despite an early Canucks power play, seemed to just tick off the clock. 

Michal Neuvirth made six saves in the third period and 18 overall as the Flyers escaped Rogers Arena with the 3-2 win.