PHILADELPHIA, Pa- Taking the 4-1 against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Wednesday night, the Battle of Pennsylvania continued Sunday as the Philadelphia Flyers welcomed their rival to Wells Fargo Center ice for the final meeting this season.
Facing off three times prior to Sunday’s contest, the Flyers have taken all three wins against the Penguins, hoping Sunday would complete the sweep.
With the playoffs just around the corner, Pittsburgh is in danger of slipping away from a playoff position.
Making his way back into the lineup after suffering an undisclosed injury before Wednesday’s meeting, Evgeni Malkin suited up for the action.
Image by Lewis Bleiman
Finding his stance in between the pipes, Steve Mason stood for the Flyers. Taking a seat on the bench after giving up three unanswered goals against Philadelphia on Wednesday, Marc-Andre Fleury looked on. Gearing up for the action, Thomas Greiss guarded the post for Pittsburgh.
Beginning the first period with speed and energy, the Penguins took control. Outshooting the Flyers 13-2 as the clock his 5:58, frustration began to settle in. It wouldn’t be rivalry hockey without pushing and shoving at the end of every play.
Guilty of hooking, Michael Raffl headed to the penalty box, sending Pittsburgh on their first power play opportunity of the game.
Netting in his 19th goal of the season on the man-advantage, Brandon Sutter got the Penguins on the score board.
Image by Lewis Bleiman
As physical play continued on, Daniel Winnik sent Sean Couturier into the boards. Charged with cross checking, Winnik took a seat in the penalty box.
Going to work on the man-advantage, Jakub Voracek found the puck on his stick. Sending the puck over Greiss shoulder, Voracek slapped in his 22nd goal of the season on the power play.
With pushing and shoving ending the first period, Pittsburgh outshot Philadelphia 22-4, contest remaining tied at 1.
Taking an early penalty in the second period, Flyers Mark Streit looked on. Unable to produce of the power play, a tied game stood.
Sending the Flyers on their second man-advantage, Blake Comeau took a seat. Rushing into Greiss the Flyers power play unit was swift.
Image by Lewis Bleiman
With a bouncy puck in front of the net, Brayden Schenn sent the puck past the crease, earning his 17th of the season. Schenn’s last three goals have been against the Penguins.
Hanging onto the 2-1 lead as the second period came to a close, Flyers were outshot 36-13.
With a delayed penalty in the Flyers favor early in the third, Mason made his way to the bench.
Touching the puck to end the play, Chris Kunitz found the puck on his stick sending it onto Philadelphia’s empty net hitting the pipe. Not sitting well with the Flyers, gloves, sticks and helmets hit the ice as pushing, shoving and exchanging of words took place in the neutral zone.
Taking a minute to sort out penalties, referees sent Beau Bennett to the box for tripping. Joining Bennett on the other side of the box, Claude Giroux sat for roughing, along side him sat Voracek after being issues a 10 minute misconduct. The fans of the Wells Fargo Center were not happy.
Image by Lewis Bleiman
Being the rush along Sean Couturier and Raffl, Ryan White found the puck. Increasing the Flyers lead 3-1, White scored his 6th goal of the season.
Heading to the penalty box for goaltender interference, Bennett looked on. With more pushing and shoving throughout the power play, Patric Hornqvist found himself guilty of goaltender interference, giving the Flyers 5 on 3 opportunity with less than a minute remaining in the contest.
Wasting no time on the man-advantage, Michael Del Zotto lit the lamp for the 10th time this season.
Image by Lewis Bleiman
As the horn sounded and fans cheered on their feet, the Philadelphia Flyers topped the Pittsburgh Penguins in 4-1 victory and took the series sweep.
“Both teams don’t like each other very much and when we get together, it’s always going to be good, hard fought, emotional playoff-type atmosphere,” said Schenn, who had a goal and two assists Sunday. “It’s nice for us to go out there and make it miserable for them. We know what they are fighting for and we’re in a spoiler role right now and trying to make life miserable on them.”
“The first period we realized it was a playoff game,” said Flyers head coach Craig Berube. “We recovered from it. Our goalie kept us in it and played great. Our goalie kept us in it and played great. Coming out of there, we realized the intensity of the game.” He continued, “We talked about it before the game, about what the game meant for them. They were a hungry team but we battled, hung in there and found a way to win. Pittsburgh, the physicality gets there with [Sidney] Crosby and [Evgeni] Malkin and it just brings out some intensity in us.”
Missing the playoffs for the second time in the last three seasons, the Flyers rough season will conclude Saturday afternoon.
Despite the fate Philadelphia, the Flyers will host three games before the season finale beginning with the New York Islanders on Tuesday.
Puck drop between the New York Islanders and Philadelphia Flyers is set for 7 p.m.
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