Flyers End Team Record-Tying Slide at 10

[February 26, 2008]  BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) -- Daniel Briere scored the clinching shootout goal in helping the Philadelphia Flyers snap a 10-game losing streak by beating Buffalo 4-3 Monday night.

With a chorus of boos raining down on the Sabres' former co-captain, Briere skated in on Ryan Miller, making a series of back-and-forth moves, before stuffing the puck just inside the right post. The goal came in Briere's third game against his former team since signing with Philadelphia last July.

R.J. Umberger, who capped the Flyers' three-goal comeback with 7:15 left in regulation, Jeff Carter and Scott Hartnell also scored for Philadelphia. The Flyers snapped an 0-8-2 skid -- matching the longest losing streak in franchise history -- and won for the first time since a 3-2 victory at Atlanta on Feb. 5. Philadelphia also jumped into a tie with Buffalo for the Eastern Conference's eight and final playoff spot.

Jason Pominville had a goal and an assist, and Derek Roy and Clarke MacArthur also scored for Buffalo, which squandered a three-goal lead for the first time since a 6-5 overtime loss against Toronto on March 15, 2004.

It might have been the last game in Buffalo for defenseman Brian Campbell, who could be dealt prior to Tuesday's NHL trade deadline. The two-time All-Star defenseman is eligible for unrestricted free agency in July.

Campbell told reporters earlier in the day he did not plan to counter the Sabres' last offer of a three-year deal that averaged just under $6 million a year.

The Flyers, who fell behind 3-0 on Pominville's goal 14:16 into the first period, bounced back from a 2-1 overtime loss to Florida on Saturday. The Panthers tied that game with less than 4 seconds left.

Umberger capped the comeback with a power-play goal shortly after Pominville was penalized for delay of game. From the right circle, Umberger snapped a shot in off the far post behind Miller, who was screened by Philadelphia's Mike Knuble, who finished with two assists.

Miller had 32 saves, including two in the opening minute of overtime. First he foiled Scottie Upshall's hard shot during a break up the left side. Then Miller blocked Carter's attempt from in close during a scramble in front.

Notes: Sabres C Jochen Hecht (leg) missed his second straight game. ... Flyers D Kimmo Timonen was disappointed but not surprised that former teammate Peter Forsberg chose to sign with Colorado rather than Philadelphia. "When I talked to him a couple of months ago, he said, 'Either us or Colorado,'" Timonen said. "We would've taken him with open arms. ... I'm sure he's going to help Colorado." ... Flyers D Jaroslav Modry left midway through the first period. The team did not provide an update of his status.

[Associated Press; By JOHN WAWROW]

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