Flyers top short-handed Red Wings 3-2

[March 08, 2012]  PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- Claude Giroux, Jakub Voracek, and Max Talbot scored goals to lead the Philadelphia Flyers to a 3-2 win over the Detroit Red Wings on Tuesday night.

Ilya Bryzgalov allowed a goal to Henrik Zetterberg on Detroit's first shot of the game. Johan Franzen made it 3-2 in the third.

The Flyers won on the night they retired former defenseman Mark Howe's No. 2 and raised the number to the rafters.

Detroit was short-handed as it continued to chase the top spot in the Western Conference standings. Leading scorer Pavel Datsyuk (59 points), captain Nicklas Lindrstom, forward Todd Bertuzzi and goalie Jimmy Howard all sat out with injuries.

The Flyers lost forward Jaromir Jagr in the second period to a lower-body injury. Jagr has missed games this season with a nagging groin injury.

Voracek was later lost to a hit to the face from Detroit defenseman Niklas Kronwall. Kronwall did not leave his feet, Voracek's head was down, and the refs ruled it a clean check.

The Wells Fargo Center was buzzing following the nearly 30-minute ceremony to honor Howe. Howe, who played for the Flyers from 1982-92, is their career leader in goals, assists and points for a defenseman. He was a three-time Norris Trophy finalist and the fifth Flyer to have his number retired.

Howe is a pro scout for the Red Wings and players for both teams stayed on the bench to watch the ceremony.

"When I first came to Philadelphia back in 1982, it was as if I was born to be a Flyer," Howe said. "The orange and black began to flow through my veins and instantly consumed my heart. The memories of playing for the Flyers will be a part of me forever."

Turned out, it was the Wings who got the jump off the emotional tribute.

Zetterberg scored his 16th goal on a backhander from the right circle over Bryzgalov's glove 4 minutes into the game.

The quick goal continued a troubling trend for the Flyers. The have allowed the first goal 10 times in the last 11 games.

Detroit's lead wouldn't stand for long. Voracek snagged the puck from along the boards behind the net and converted the nice wraparound past Joey MacDonald for his 12th goal.

Giroux followed late in the first with his 24th goal off a breakaway. Like Voracek, Braydon Coburn had the puck behind the net, flicked it along the boards and Giroux pounced. He was all alone in the open ice and fired the backhander for the 2-1 lead.

The highlight-reel hit came in the second period when the 6-foot, 190-pound Kronwall used his shoulder and blasted Voracek, 6-2, 214, to the ice. Voracek had his helmet nearly knocked off, stayed down on all fours for a bit, and headed straight to the locker room. He did not return.

The Flyers gained a 3-1 cushion shortly after when Giroux's shot ricochet off MacDonald's left pad and was pounded in by Talbot for his 18th.

Franzen gave the Flyers a score when he beat Bryzgalov to make it 3-2 midway through the third. But Bryzgalov, who has improved over recent games, remained stout in the net and smothered a flurry of late Detroit chances to give the Flyers a winning record at home (16-10-5).

NOTES: Howe is the fifth Flyer to have his number retired, joining Bernie Parent, Barry Ashbee, Bill Barber and Bobby Clarke. Howe was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame last November. Howe's father, Gordie, one of the all-time NHL greats, received a standing ovation from Flyers fans when he was introduced. ... The Flyers and Red Wings split the two-game season series.

[Associated Press; By DAN GELSTON]

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