Panthers Hold Off Flyers Rally to Snap Winning Streak

(Photo: Kate Frese)

By Kevin Durso, Sports Talk Philly editor 

For the second time on the homestand, the Flyers entered the third period down by two goals and had a fairly early response in a bid to make a comeback.

But once they got on the board, they were unable to draw any closer.

The Florida Panthers played spoiler, defeating the Flyers, 2-1, to snap the Flyers three-game winning streak and six-game points streak on Tuesday night at Wells Fargo Center.

Shots were limited early in the first with the Flyers getting the better of zone time. Florida picked up steam late in the first after killing a Flyers power play, finishing the period ahead in shots, 11-6.

Florida finally broke the ice in the second period with a power-play goal. Brian Elliott made a nice redirection by Frank Vatrano, but the rebound went to the side of the net and Aaron Ekblad was able to bank it in to give the Panthers the lead. It was the first time in seven games the Flyers have allowed the game's first goal. It was also the 10th time in the last 11 games the Flyers have allowed a power-play goal.

Late in the period, the Panthers extended the lead on a counter-rush. With the Flyers started to generate more zone time, a transition play the other way allowed Evgenii Dadonov to have space to get off a shot. He fired and scored on a screened Elliott, giving Florida a 2-0 lead.

Shots were 24-14 Florida through 40 minutes with the Panthers ahead by two.

The Flyers came out for the third with a new-found energy and instantly went to work. At 3:55, they had the early goal and spark they wanted to find.

After a save on a breakaway by Elliott on Aleksander Barkov, the Flyers moved the other way in transition. Oskar Lindblom put a cross-ice pass in the right place for Jake Voracek, who quickly released and beat Roberto Luongo high to get the Flyers on the board and cut the lead to one.

The Flyers nearly scored seconds later as Voracek got a breakaway off the face-off and the Flyers got another scoring chance from the slot. Shortly after, Nolan Patrick set up Lindblom for a chance from the slot that hit the post.

The Flyers weren't able to pull any closer, despite firing 16 shots on goal in the final period. Luongo stood tall when needed and Florida settled the play as the period wore on, holding off the Flyers for their fifth straight win.

Elliott made 28 saves in the loss. Luongo made 29 saves in the win.

The Flyers continue the homestand on Thursday night against the New Jersey Devils. Game time is at 7 p.m.

Box Score

Scoring Summary

1st Period

• No Scoring

2nd Period

• FLA Aaron Ekblad (1) PP (Frank Vatrano, Mike Hoffman) 8:15
• FLA Evgenii Dadonov (8) (Aleksander Barkov) 17:35

3rd Period

• PHI Jake Voracek (5) (Oskar Lindblom, Sean Couturier) 3:55

Game Statistics