First Period:
About two minutes into the game the Panthers were blessed with their first power play of the game when Tom Sestito was called for charging Keaton Ellerby. It only took the Cats 20 seconds to capitalize with the extra man, when Mikael Samuelsson gathered a rebound in the middle of a wild scrum in front of Sergei Bobrovsky, scoring his third goal of the season. Brian Campbell added to his impressive power play assist total, with his 32nd overall assist. Stephen Weiss was also awarded an assist on the play.
Florida and Philadelphia matched chances through the first part of the period, with the Panthers collecting six shots to the Flyers four through the first six minutes. Play was halted at the nine minute mark to repair a piece of broken glass, giving both teams an unplanned chance to rest up.
Philadelphia had a chance to even the score, as Erik Gudbranson was called for interference on Tom Sestito with 10 minutes left in the period. After twice clearing the puck, Scott Clemmensen allowed an apparent goal when Brayden Schenn popped the puck in the air, bouncing off the back of Clemmensen. The net appeared to be dislodged while the puck was crossing the goal line, and a lengthy delay ensued. Schenn was eventually awarded his third goal of the season, with assists by Andrej Meszaros and Matt Carle.
The Flyers took the lead with two minutes remaining in the period when Jakub Voracek tallied his eighth goal of the season, redirecting a Tom Sestito pass between Scott Clemmensen’s legs. Kimmo Timonen would also earn a helper.
Second Period:
Mike Santorelli was called for tripping three minutes into the second, resulting on the Flyers second power play of the night. Florida kept the puck in the Flyers end of the rink for a large portion of the man advantage. The Panthers allowed one shot on goal during the two minutes.
At the seven minute mark, Tomas Kopecky hooked Jakub Voracek to give the Flyers another chance with an extra man. The Panthers again killed of the power play very well, with Shawn Matthias actually getting a pretty good shot on goal for a shorthanded chance.
Most of the pressure in the period was applied by the Flyers, as they outshot the Panthers 9-4 through the first 13 minutes.
With five minutes left in the period, Stephen Weiss and Tomas Fleischmann broke into the Flyers zone on a two-on-one chance against Sergei Bobrovsky. Weiss skated in and cut across the goaltenders path, sending the puck back in front to Fleischmann, who made a spin move and fired the puck into the empty net for his 16th goal of the season for the equalizer, second on the Panthers. Stephen Weiss was credited with his second assist of the game. It was Fleischmann’s first goal of 2012, a span of nine games.
Third Period:
The first line was putting consistent pressure on Bobrovsky, including a wide open chance by Kris Versteeg one minute in and by Tomas Fleischmann with six minutes gone. Marcel Goc, Erik Gudbranson and Shawn Matthias almost put the Panthers on top with some nifty puck movement in the Flyers zone with 13 minutes remaining, but Bobrovsky was doing well to keep Philadelphia tied up.
Matt Read was called for tripping with seven minutes remaining for their second power play of the night on Keaton Ellerby. Jason Garrison unloaded his howitzer from the point, and Tomas Fleischmann deflected it on net, but it banged harmlessly against the post.
Scott Clemmensen withstood an onslaught in the last minute, keeping the Panthers in the game and helping them earn at least a point. The Panthers need another period for the fourth time in five games to decide things.
Overtime:
The teams took the ice for some four-on-four action. Jason Garrison sped into the zone on a breakaway, putting the puck on net. Tomas Kopecky put another one on net just off the ensuing faceoff, but Bobrovsky was standing tall for the Flyers.
Tomas Kopecky took an uncalled high stick across the nose, but stayed on the puck, chasing it into the Philadelphia zone. Time wound down, and the teams would need the shootout to settle the score (pun).
Shootout:
Braydon Schenn started things out for the Flyers for his first NHL shootout attempt, but was stoned trying the five hole on Clemmensen.
Kris Versteeg had Bobrovsky fooled, but pulled the puck just wide right.
Claude Giroux slowed to a crawl, waiting for Clemmensen to commit before sinking the putt.
Stephen Weiss was foiled by the glove side.
Jakub Voracek beat Clemmensen, but lost to the crossbar.
Mike Santorelli could not beat Bobrovsky, and the Panthers take the dressing room with their league leading (league trailing?) 11th overtime loss.
Hits: Flyers, 38-27 (Braydon Coburn and Scott Hartnell led the Flyers with five each, while Florida was led by Matt Bradley (as usual) with four).
Blocked Shots: Flyers, 13-9 (Mike Weaver led Florida with two, while Scott Hartnell logged three for the Flyers).
Faceoffs: Panthers, 32-23 (Stephen Weiss won 12 of his 17 faceoff attempts, Marcel Goc won eight of 17 and John Madden six of 14 for the Panthers. The Flyers were led by Claude Giroux, who won 12 of his 26 attempts).
Shots on Goal: Flyers, 37-25 (Mike Santorelli had five, while Stephen Weiss and Tomas Fleischmann had four each for the Cats. The Flyers were paced by Claude Giroux, Braydon Schenn and Jakub Voracek, with four each).
Score: Flyers 3, Panthers 2