by Bob Herpen
The Phanatic Magazine
Scottie Upshall registered a goal and one assist as Philadelphia tripped up Minnesota, 3-1, at the Wachovia Center.
Scott Hartnell and Mike Knuble also lit the lamp for the Flyers, who snapped a two-game losing streak but picked up a point for the fifth consecutive game (3-0-2).
With the victory, Philly jumped into sole possession of first place in the Atlantic Division and extended its streak to 13 consecutive home games without a regulation loss (11-0-2), since a 2-1 setback to Tampa Bay on November 8.
Martin Biron made 27 saves, improving to 3-0-1 in his last four starts and 14-7-5 on the season.
Stephane Veilleux had the lone tally for the Wild, who had won three of four coming in and allowed just five goals over that span. After blanking Colorado and East-leading Boston in consecutive starts, Niklas Backstrom took the loss by allowing three goals on 23 shots.
The Flyers assumed a 2-1 lead 5:10 into the third on a power play. Mike Richards fired from the boards near the right point and the shot was tipped by Knuble off Backstrom's blocker. The puck slithered towards the goal line, but an instant before the Wild netminder covered, the disc slid into the net.
Upshall provided the clincher, snapping a wrister from the right wing to finish off a 2-on-1 break with 7:42 left in the contest for a 3-1 Philly advantage.
Hartnell went off for tripping with 2:17 left in the contest and Minnesota picked up an extra skater with a minute remaining, but the Flyers came up with the better chances against the open net in the final seconds.
Veilleux put the Wild on the board with 7:49 left in the first period, one- timing a sliding feed from Cal Clutterbuck.
Hartnell evened the score by knocking home a loose puck from the right side of the crease 7:10 into the second.
No comments:
Post a Comment