The Philadelphia Flyers roared back with a two-goal comeback in the third period but fell in overtime, 3-2, to the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Columbus scored 3 goals in a span of 2:46 in the middle of the first period to jump ahead to a 3-0 lead from goals by Adam Fantilli, Kent Johnson, and Denton Mateychuk.
The Flyers notched one back in the second period from Noah Cates. Trevor Zegras then scored with less than 5 minutes remaining in the third and got a secondary assist on Jamie Drysdale’s tying goal with 9.6 seconds left.
Overtime was not good for the Flyers as they coughed up two 2-on-0 opportunities with Fantilli and Johnson connecting on the winner.
Dan Vladař allowed 4 goals on 15 shots for the overtime loss and Cam Talbot earned the victory by stopping 28 shots.
FIRST PERIOD
With 5 seconds remaining on a 4-on-4 situation, the Columbus Blue Jackets opened the scoring at the 10:58 mark after Adam Fantilli was able to sneak a shot under Dan Vladař’s arm for his 4th of the season. The play started out in Columbus’ end where they were able to take advantage of an aggressive Travis Sanheim pinch. They went the other way quickly where Fantilli and Kent Johnson played pitch and catch before the former went towards the net and the latter was able to find him with a nice pass.
The Blue Jackets doubled their lead less than 2 minutes later after Zach Werenski wired a one-timer from the point that was deflected by Johnson in front. The Flyers coughed the puck over again, this time in their own zone, and the Jackets cycled quickly before finding the back of the net for the second time in short order.
Things went from bad to worse as the Blue Jackets jumped to a 3-0 lead less than a minute after Johnson’s tally. Columbus won a puck battle behind the net before Matthew Knies and Mathieu Oliver teamed up to find Denton Mateychuk for a shot from the point that beat a screened Vladař.
3 goals in a span of 2:46 for a 3-0 lead just 13:44 into the game.
The Flyers received a power play shortly after but were unable to do much of anything with the advantage. Columbus then jumped on a power play of their own near the end of the period with Christian Dvorak headed to the box.
The period came to a miserable end as the Blue Jackets took a 3-0 lead into the intermission with a 7-2 advantage on the shot clock. The Flyers didn’t register a shot on goal for the final 13:57.
SECOND PERIOD
The Flyers finally got on the board at the midway mark of the period after Noah Cates hustled towards the loose puck in the blue paint off the initial shot from Porter Martone. Oliver Bonk got the play started getting out of the defensive zone with a pass to Martone. The rookie forward then fired a shot as he entered the offensive zone that handcuffed Cam Talbot before Cates made a beeline towards the crease for his first of the season.
Cates’ goal certainly woke the Flyers up from their slumber as they titled the ice in their favour to finish out the period. They were aided by a terrific save by Vladař off a Valeri Nichushkin chance in the slot. Matvei Michkov had 2 opportunities to score in tight and Tyson Foerster had a great individual effort thwarted by Talbot as the former Flyers netminder did everything he could to keep the 2-goal lead intact.
The Jackets were still up 3-1 entering the intermission but lost their lead in shots as the Flyers fired 13 to Columbus’ 5 in the middle frame.
THIRD PERIOD
Needing a big third period to get back into the game, the Flyers were met by staunch defense from the Jackets as they tried to park the bus early. They were awarded a power play midway through the period but were once again kept to the outside with very little movement or fluidity.
The Flyers kept at it and for their efforts were able to cut the deficit to 1 with 4:56 remaining after Trevor Zegras beat Talbot short side from in-tight. Sanheim’s shot from the point was stopped, but Zegras was able to corral the rebound and beat the goaltender for his 4th of the season, while also extending his point streak to 5 games.
The Flyers were finally able to pull Vladař for the extra attacker with 1:20 remaining and were able to tie things up with just 9.6 seconds left. They were robbed a few times right before they re-entered the zone, where Zegras sent a backhand pass to Foerster who then feathered a feed to Jamie Drysdale heading to the net for his first of the season.
It was all Philadelphia in the third period as they not only scored twice but kept Columbus to a single shot that came with 4:25 remaining.
OVERTIME
The Blue Jackets had two separate 2-on-0 situations and there was only so much Vladař could do. He stopped the first one but wasn’t able to stop Fantilli and Johnson as the latter finished the game in style.
UP NEXT
The Flyers will visit the Washington Capitals (6-4-0) on Wednesday night, October 28, at 7:30pm/ET.
FLYERS ALUMNI VEGAS AND IRELAND TRIPS
Flyers Nation and TrueFan Travel have teamed up for two trips with the Flyers Alumni!
The Las Vegas package (March 10–14) includes tickets to Flyers–Golden Knights on March 11 at T-Mobile Arena, an all-inclusive tailgate, optional flights from Philadelphia, a 4-night downtown hotel stay, an alumni pep rally and Q&A, a Flyers vs. Utah watch party, and a meet and greet.
The Ireland Golf & Tour Experience (July 20–27) includes optional flights from Philadelphia, six nights at The Brehon Killarney and Portmarnock Resort, a welcome reception, a meet and greet and Q&A with Brad Marsh, Patrick Sharp, Joe Watson, Bill Clement, Mark Recchi, and John LeClair, a live Coatesy’s Corner, and optional golf at Old Head, Dooks, Portmarnock, and Druids Glen.
Whether you’re chasing a road game in Vegas or a week on the links in Ireland, these are two chances to travel with Flyers legends!
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