Patrick’s Late Goal Lifts Flyers Over Ducks

By Kevin Durso, Sports Talk Philly editor 

It felt like another case of deja vu for the Flyers. After playing a solid and sound defensive game for upwards of 56 minutes, another goal allowed on the penalty kill was about to threaten the Flyers chance at two points.

That's when Nolan Patrick stepped in to play hero. Patrick's goal with 1:51 remaining in the third period put the Flyers ahead for good in a 3-2 win over the Anaheim Ducks on Tuesday night.

The Flyers got an early power play with a chance to get an early lead and did just that. Claude Giroux set up Sean Couturier for a deflection from the slot and he scored on the power play at 3:07 to give the Flyers the first goal of the game for just the second time this season.

The Flyers carried the 1-0 lead through the first period, leading in shots, 10-7, after 20 minutes.

The Ducks evened the score early in the second period as Pontus Aberg was able to fire a shot through a screen for his third goal of the season at 1:45 of the period. 

The Flyers regained the lead with just over 11 minutes remaining in the second. Giroux again set up a goal, as his patience with the puck allowed the Flyers to get traffic in front. Giroux fired and Ivan Provorov got the deflection for his first goal of the season.

The Flyers had to kill an early power play in the third for the Ducks and had two power play chances of their own through the third period. The first came early in the period and the Flyers did everything but score, getting several quality chances.

With 5:48 left in the period, the Flyers were back on the power play and again controlled play but failed to score. Seconds after the Ducks killed the penalty, the Flyers took one of their own as Jordan Weal went to the box for tripping with 3:33 left.

True to form,, the Ducks got the equalizer. Cam Fowler was left with space and walked in to get a shot off. Aberg was in front of the net and tipped the puck past Brian Elliott on the glove side to tie the game with 2:12 remaining in the third.

It seemed that after the Flyers missed two opportunities to build on the lead and had failed to score that overtime was inevitable. But just 21 seconds after the Ducks tied the game, the Flyers reclaimed the lead. Some quick work behind the net by Oskar Lindblom allowed him to set up Patrick from the slot. Patrick fired a quick shot and scored with 1:51 remaining to put the Flyers back in front.

The Flyers held off the Ducks from there for the 3-2 final.

Elliott was solid, making 23 saves on 25 shots in the win. Ryan Miller stopped 33 of 36 shots in the loss.

The West coast trip continues for the Flyers on Thursday night, as they face the Los Angeles Kings. Game time is 10:30.

Box Score

Scoring Summary

1st Period

• PHI Sean Couturier (4) PP (Claude Giroux, Shayne Gostisbehere) 3:07

2nd Period

• ANA Pontus Aberg (3) (Rickard Rakell, Hampus Lindholm) 1:45
• PHI Ivan Provorov (1) (Giroux, Nolan Patrick) 8:57

3rd Period

• ANA Aberg (4) PP (Cam Fowler, Ryan Getzlaf) 17:48
• PHI Patrick (3) (Oskar Lindblom, Robert Hagg) 18:09

Game Statistics