Flyers strand the Islanders 3-2

By Scott Weinhardt

The Flyers came in to last night’s game against the Islanders a little sluggish, going 2-2-1 in their last 5. What a better time for a team to come into town who they’ve beaten 14 straight times since 2007.

The Flyers were looking to fry the Fish Sticks for the 15^th time in a row and set a club record for consecutive wins against one team.

Now you may be asking yourself, why did I just call the Islanders the Fish Sticks? Well, here’s a little history lesson for you.

In 1995, in order to give the Islanders a “fresh” look, the ownership took it upon themselves to change the logo of the team. The result, well…was a little fishy to say the least, and the logo turned out to look EXACTLY like the dude on the Fish Stick box.

Don’t believe me? Have a look see:

The nickname has stuck with the team since, even though their original logo was re-instated at the beginning of the 1997 season.

Well, I digress. The Flyers started out the first 30 minutes with dull blades, not to mention the Isles were head-hunting by sending rookie James VanRiemsdyk and defenseman Lukas Krajicek to the dressing room after each were hit in the face by a puck. However, Krajicek would return near the end of the 1^st.

Isles rookie-star John Tavares netted his 18^th of the season and first in 17 games off of a rebound which Flyers’ goalie Mike Leighton lost sight of. And midway through the 2^nd Kyle Okposo put the Fish Sticks up 2-0 with his 14^th of the year off a shot that ricocheted off the crossbar and past Leighton.

After 30 minutes, the Flyers turned into the Fryers and turned the heat up on the Sticks. Jeff Carter put home his 31^st of the year off a Danny Briere feed to make it a 2-1 game after 2 periods. The goal was Carter’s 8^th in 8 games.

In the 3^rd, Claude Giroux energized the Wachovia Center by flipping his 14^th of the season past Isles’ goalie Dwayne Roloson on the power-play, and Simon Gagne capped the comeback with another PP goal. Gagne’s goal was his 12^th of the year, and he’s scored a goal in 4 out of his last 5.

The Flyers 3^rd period comeback led the Islanders to their 11^th loss in 14^th games, keeping them at 14^th place in the Eastern Conference. The Flyers earned their 72^nd point of the season and hold a 2-point lead over the Boston Bruins and Montreal Canadiens.

Only 5 points separates the Flyers from the NY Rangers for 9^th in the Eastern Conference in the tightening playoff race.

The Flyers play again on Thursday at home vs. the Boston Bruins in a re-match of the NHL Winter Classic. The Bruins come into town after suffering an overtime loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Until then…keep your stick on the ice.

-Scott W.