Winnipeg Jets hold off Philadelphia Flyers in regulation but fall in Overtime 5-4 -NHL Update
Winnipeg worked hard to take the lead in the third and final period of regulation but Philadelphia was not going to let them go that easy as the Flyers edged Jets, 5-4, after levelling it in regulation in an overtime decider, Tuesday night, February 21,
2012, at the sold-out MTS Centre in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
The Jets kept taking the lead but Philadelphia kept coming right back as Dustin Byfuglien grabbed his ninth of the 2011-2012 National Hockey League (NHL) regular season when Winnipeg had the extra skater but Claude Giroux levelled it nearly three minutes
later.
Scott Hartnell made the tie-breaker off a fierce slap shot at nearly centre ice on the power play while Winnipeg captain, Andrew Ladd, took charge and scored two back-to-back goals to take the lead for the home team once again.
Maxime Talbot made sure Philadelphia would not be entering the final 20 minute period down by one and tied the game once again for his 17th of the year.
"I'm really proud that the guys kept coming and pumping," Flyers coach, Peter Laviolette, said. "It was one of those gutsy efforts that you look back on and (it) might have been one of our best, toughest, wins of the year. You know, we keep fighting and
keep pushing to get the two points."
Evander Kane had plans on leading his team to a victory with his 23rd of the season on a power play 4:57 into the third but Philadelphia’s attack was too much for Winnipeg to handle as James van Riemsdyk had control of the puck and miraculously
handed it over to Wayne Simmonds for the last second equaliser to force an overtime extension at 19:50.
"As far as the attack goes," Laviolette added, "I really liked our game, and I'm really proud that the guys kept coming, and pumping. It was one of those gutsy efforts that you look back on and it might have been one of our best, toughest wins of the year."
With less than a minute remaining, Jaromir Jagr found the open opportunity and fired off the game-winner in overtime to take the match.
Philadelphia has the next against Edmonton Oilers while Winnipeg is to host the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday.
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