Simmonds OT Winner Lifts Flyers Over Sharks

(Kate Frese/Sports Talk Philly)

By Kevin Durso, Sports Talk Philly editor 

Wayne Simmonds snapped a scoreless streak for the Flyers that spanned two games and over half a period on Thursday. Leave it to the Flyers All-Star to be the difference-maker on Saturday too.

Simmonds scored on a breakaway at 1:04 of overtime, giving the Flyers a 2-1 win over the San Jose Sharks on Saturday afternoon at Wells Fargo Center.

A scoreless first period featured plenty of action.

The Flyers opened the game on the power play after San Jose was called for too many men on the ice just 39 seconds in, but failed to capitalize on the chance.

The Sharks got a power play moments later, and appeared to take advantage when Kevin Labanc's turnaround shot in the crease hit Chris VandeVelde's stick and went in. But Dave Hakstol challenged for goalie interference and Labanc did in fact make contact with Michal Neuvirth twice before the puck went into the net. The goal was disallowed and the game remained scoreless. The Flyers killed off the rest of the penalty.

The Flyers took control of the period from there, limiting the Sharks to four shots in the period and taking 14. Much like Thursday night, it didn't do anything to change the score, but it put some pressure on the Sharks defense. The Flyers did get a late power play in the first with 1:13 carrying over into the second period.

The Flyers failed to take advantage of the power play time to start the second. The rest of the period was featured its moments of back-and-forth hockey, but not much for scoring chances.

The best chance for a goal for either side came on a San Jose power play. The Sharks controlled the puck the entire two minutes, firing off several shots that were blocked or knocked wide of the net. 

After 40 minutes, the game remained scoreless with the shots favoring the Flyers, 20-11.

Finally, at 6:23 of the third, the Flyers were able to solve Aaron Dell. Andrew MacDonald cut in on goal and let off a shot that hit the post. The rebound went out to the high slot for Ivan Provorov. His wrister also caught iron but went in to give the Flyers the lead. It was Provorov's fifth goal of the season and the Flyers first goal at even strength since Feb. 2, a span of 245:25.

The lead would last just three minutes, however, as the Sharks would capitalize on a power play. A centering pass from Labanc banked off a skate and to Patrick Marleau, who lifted a shot over Neuvirth to tie the game.

The Flyers would get a late power play and hold possession for the entire two minutes, firing several chances on goal, but could not score. The game headed to overtime.

In the overtime, Neuvirth came up big with a save on a two-on-one for San Jose and the Flyers answered shortly after that. 

Simmonds poked the puck away a center ice and had a breakaway. Simmonds made a move on Dell and slid the puck past his outstretched pad to give the Flyers the win.

The Flyers outshot the Sharks, 35-24, in the win, snapping a three-game losing streak.

The Flyers return to the ice on Wednesday night when they face the Calgary Flames. Game time is set for 9 p.m.

Box Score

Scoring Summary

1st Period

• No Scoring

2nd Period

• No Scoring

3rd Period

• PHI Ivan Provorov (5) (Andrew MacDonald, Jake Voracek) 6:23
• SJ Patrick Marleau (20) PP (Kevin Labanc, Joe Thornton) 9:23

Overtime

• PHI Wayne Simmonds (23) (Unassisted) 1:04

Game Statistics