 Flyers Top The Islanders 2-1
Source: Flyers.com
Branko Radivojevic broke a 1-1 tie with a goal in the third period that proved to be the game-winner, as the Philadelphia Flyers won their second preseason game in as many tries with a 2-1 victory over the New York Islanders at the Sovereign Bank Arena.
On the goal, Michal Handzus attempted a wrap-around and the puck bounced around traffic in the crease before Radivojevic poked it past a sprawled out Garth Snow at 5:57.
Philadelphia had to kill off three consecutive penalties to start the game, and then took the lead on a power play of its own. Defenseman Mike Rathje, who was a healthy scratch in the first game, floated a wrist shot from the high slot towards the net. Jon Sim screened Snow on the play for a goal at 9:16.
New York responded quickly with a power play goal by Wyatt Smith at 10:52 to tie the game. Goaltender Antero Niittymaki was unable to control a shot by Joel Bouchard, and Smith was left alone in front of the net to knock in the rebound.
The first altercation of the preseason came courtesy of an unlikely source from the Flyers? end, when rookie Mike Richards dropped the gloves with Bouchard about four and a half minutes into the second period. Richards got an instigator penalty, but New York was unable to capitalize.
There was a scary moment for the Flyers when there was a collision between New York?s Jason Blake and Niittymaki halfway through the third period. Niittymaki was shaken up on the play but remained in the game, and Blake was given a minor for goaltender interference.
Niittymaki played the entire game for the Flyers, stopping 23 of 24 shots. Snow also played from start to finish, allowing two goals on 25 shots.
There were several players dressing for the Flyers who did not play in the team?s first preseason game in London. Michal Handzus, Eric Chouinard, Wade Skolney, Ben Eager and Jamie Storr (who did not play) were among them, as was Brian Savage, who signed with the club last week.
The Flyers open up the home portion of their preseason schedule on Saturday at the Wachovia Center when they host the Washington Capitals at 7:00 p.m.
FLYERS NOTES
With Keith Primeau not dressing for the game, Simon Gagne wore the ?C?, while Handzus and Donald Brashear were the assistant captains. ? In addition to winning their second game, the Flyers also won their second post-game shootout, which follows every preseason NHL game. Richards and Gagne scored for the Flyers, while Niittymaki stopped two of the three attempts by the Islanders.
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a much closer game then the 1st preseason game. I wonder how many low scoring one goal games we might see thisseason.
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