An exciting series got even more exciting Thursday night as the series will continue to Washington with a commanding 3-1 lead for the Flyers. Kimmo Timonen was only a possibility to play in this game when he left in the second period of Tuesday’s match up but he deemed himself available after practice yesterday and no one felt his presence more than Alexander Ovechkin. Ovie was kept out of the scoring column for the third straight game as Timonen played the MVP candidate tightly and physically throughout.

The tone was set early as the Flyers quickly rushed down the ice and Jeff Carter scored early to put the Fly Guys up 1-0. His shot came off a Mike Knuble rebound for his second of the post season. Not two minutes later rookie Nicklas Backstrom answered on a capitals power play, to make it 1-1 and that took the wind out of the Flyers’ sails. On a 5-on-3 power play later in the first Alexander Semin put the puck behind Marty Biron as he was left unscathed with nothing but twine to shoot at. Despite the first period coming to a close tied at 2 via another Jeff Carter tally, the Flyers looked meek as they continued to struggle getting the puck out of their zone.

The second period was disappointingly for Flyers fans in terms of energy from their club as the only score came from Steve Eminger at 5:56 of the second stanza. While the Flyers struggled to control the puck (even when it was in their possession) they did get some energy from the scrums that seemed to ensue following what seemed like every stoppage of play. Penalties resulting from these scrums were minimized and two Flyers power plays were a result of the Capitals having too many men on the ice.

Early on, the third period didn’t impress much either for the Flyers but they were finally able to capitalize on a power play opportunity when Mike Richards found Danny Briere down low as he pounded it home to tie the game at 3. The goal was Briere’s 5th of the second season. After that goal the Flyers seemed to re-gain their sense of urgency and played with the same tenacity they showed through the first 3 games. Towards the end of the period the Flyers had two excellent chances and were absolutely robbed by two phenomenal saves by Capitals goalie Cristobal Huet who once again was the best player from Washington. The back and forth play concluded regulation and the pace continued into overtime.

The first overtime session featured exciting odd-man rushes and great saves to keep the game at a lock. The physicality after the whistle let up in the period as the atmosphere was much more tense in anticipation of the final tally. Steve Coates reported a sense of “coolness” on the Flyers bench while the Capitals seemed more nervous, not wanting to head home with the 3-1 series deficit. The quick pace was reflective of what the NHL wants to market to get more fans from the excitement of playoff hockey.

The second overtime started with the same quick pace. Each team still rotating all four lines, none of the players seemed fatigued from playing 80 minutes already. The Briere line had great pressure on a shift five minutes into the period and set the tone for the club. Richards, Lupul, and Umberger followed with the same intensity. Mike Knuble finally was able to put the puck in the net as Scottie Upshall fought behind the net for the puck and finally broke it free. Jeff Carter stuffed it back in front of the net and on a second effort Knuble backhanded the puck behind Cristobal Huet. Knuble missed wide open nets on multiple occasions throughout the series and was vindicated by a game winner.

Although the Flyers kept an unbelievable momentum in their favor for the greater part of this series, they lost it for a couple of periods in regulation. An incredible shift in that momentum put the Flyers back on top as they carry a 3-1 series lead back to Washington. Oh, I wonder what Mike Wise thinks of all this.

The Washington Post actually ordered the Wachovia Center to cease and desist from handing Wise’s whiny words out to the sold out crowd at the game. Instead the Wachovia Center posted portions of the article on the Arenavision screen during stoppages.

Dave’s 3 Stars of the Game

1. Jeff Carter - 2 goals 1 assist
2. Mike Knuble - game winning goal
3. Cristobal Huet - 42 saves

Knuble picture posted on Flickr by Neat1325