Philadelphia Flyers make regulation comeback but Colorado Avalanche make shootout winner 3-2 –NHL
Colorado is on the rebound as they defeated the rowdy Washington Capitals team earlier on Saturday and now Philadelphia after Wayne Simmonds forced an overtime extension in the final seconds of regulation but the Avalanche came back and edged the Flyers in a shootout decider, 3-2, on Monday night, December 19, 2011, at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado, United States.
Scott Hartnell made the inaugural goal of the opening period for his 16th of the 2011-2012 National Hockey League (NHL) regular season with 1:30 remaining in the first 20 minute period on their second power play opportunity of the night as Colorado’s top 2011 Entry Draft pick, Gabriel Landeskog, was awarded a double minor penalty for high sticking.
Landeskog came back in the second period to add his first of the night and sixth of the period a little over halfway through with T.J. Galiardi making the extension goal at the 19:16 mark, giving Colorado the go ahead goal entering the third and final period of regulation.
Philadelphia had a golden opportunity to pot the equaliser midway through the third period as Colorado’s veteran player, Jan Hejda, was booked at the 9:49 mark for interference with a minor penalty but the Flyers could not get a single shot past through Avalanche goalie, Jean-Sebastien Giguere.
The Flyers were scrambling in front of the Colorado net in the final minute to play in the third period of regulation while the Avalanche were fighting to keep them out but Wayne Simmonds got hold of the puck somehow as it came out of the mess and he tipped it in through Giguere to force an overtime extension.
The match headed into a shootout decider after both teams failed to capitalise in overtime with Milan Hejduk making Colorado’s first attempt through Ilya Bryzgalov followed by an equaliser from Daniel Briere.
Matt Duchene potted Colorado’s second straight but Philadelphia’s, James Van Riemsdyk was focused and levelled the score once again.
It was down to the last opportunity and Ryan O’Reilly flung the puck through Bryzgalov for their third straight and the game-winner as Matt Read missed on the Flyers last chance.
Colorado have the next at home against the St. Louis Blues on Wednesday while the Philadelphia Flyers will be facing the Dallas Stars the same day.
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