Flyers put down the Bruins 5-2

With a laundry list of injured players that just keeps growing, the Philadelphia Flyers still managed to win last night against the playoff bound Boston Bruins.  Steve Mason was in the net for his first back-to-back game starts for the Flyers; Peter Laviolette has made some smart moves by giving ice time to the young players to see how they perform.  Kimmo Timonen has been added to the injured list along with the usual suspects who will miss the two remaining games of the season.  Andreas Lilja was recalled and will take the place of Timonen. Overall, the effort from both sides in last night’s game was outstanding. The Boston Bruins out shot the Flyers, due to the impressive effort by Mason, the Flyers were able to stay on top of this game the entire time.  Right off of puck drop the Flyers proved they came ready for a hockey game, claiming the lead early with a goal by Scott Hartnell.  Hartnell brought the pressure last night to the Bruins and has scored 8 goals for the season. Both teams charged the net all night but during the first period the Bruins out shot the Flyers 12-4 and the period ended tied at 1-1.

The two most amazing goals of the game came from Read and then 7 seconds later by Lauridsen in the second period.  Matt Read had some great stick work next to the net as he back handed and forehanded the puck into the net, reclaiming a lead for the Flyers 2-1. Then, seven seconds later, Oliver Lauridsen was the last Flyer to touch the puck as it was tipped in by Cara from the Bruins, which gave the Flyers a two goal lead (3-1).  There is no doubt that Lauridsen will have a great memory to go with his first goal in the NHL: he said, “A goal is a goal and in 20 years they are never going to ask how…”

Voracek continues to have a great season, claiming his 21^st goal on a break away putting the Flyers at a three goal advantage 4-1. The Bruins finally able to answer the Flyers run away score by a goal but it was quickly muted by another goal from the Flyers.  Giroux and Gange teamed up to add another point to the Flyers board, reclaiming their three point lead for the game (5-2).

The Flyers have struggled all season but have been able to play through adversity tonight as they claim another win against the Boston Bruins. This win does not change much, the Flyers are not headed to the playoffs while the Bruins will be in the playoffs, and at most the Flyers denied the Bruins a confidence builder last night. Steve Mason, a unifying reason as to why the Flyers won this game, has astonishing goaltending skills and has come into his own in the Flyers net.  Testing out Mason in the net for consecutive games can only give a clue as to whom Laviolette may be thinking of for next season top goaltender. The Flyers will face off against the New York Islanders on Thursday.