PHILADELPHIA – The Nashville Predators’ Pekka Rinne made 31 saves through extra time and then stopped two shots in the skills competition to help defeat the Philadelphia Flyers Monday night, 2-1.
Right Wing Wayne Simmonds (#17), Center Colton Sissons (#10)
He was also saved by errant shots and goal posts in the game.
“Got lucky on the last one,” Rinne said. “He deked me out. I was doing the snowman and luckily he didn’t put it in. … I want to say I saved it but I think it hit the side of the net.
“I’ll take it any day.”
Ryan Ellis picked up the deciding goal in the shootout.
“[Rinne] was phenomenal for us,” Ellis said. “I think it could have been a lot worse in that first period. He kept us in it. On the penalty kill he made some big saves and some big blocks. If anything is going to be successful you are going to need your goalie to be your best player. Tonight was no different. [Rinne] was great. We finally found a way to win a shootout.”
The Flyers took the lead midway through the first period on a goal from Andrew MacDonald.
The Preds did not tie the game up until midway through the final frame when Filip Forsberg tipped in a shot from Matt Irwin.
Steve Mason made 30 saves for the Flyers in the loss.
“I think there’s no excuse. We’ve got to find ways to come back and have energy and win a hockey game,” Mason said.
WATCH: All Predators vs. Flyers highlights
Goalie Pekka Rinne (#35)
The Flyers were held scoreless on three power play chances in the game; the loss was their second straight after a 10-game win streak.
“Would have been nice to get one but you … you can control your playmaking and intensity and I thought that was good,” Flyers coach Dave Hakstol said. “I liked our puck movement, the opportunities we had. We hit a post, he made a couple of good saves. We had a couple opportunities 5-on-3 to be able to stretch it.”
You must be logged in to post a comment.