Gostisbehere, Flyers dump Canucks
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[February 21, 2017]
VANCOUVER, British Columbia --
Even when they were struggling, the Philadelphia Flyers never lost
faith that they could be a playoff team.
The Flyers regained their power-play swagger with a couple
man-advantage goals, and defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere recorded a
career-high three assists as Philadelphia defeated the Vancouver
Canucks 3-2 Sunday night.
Wayne Simmonds and Brayden Schenn scored on the power play, and
Jakub Voracek collected his first goal in 10 games for Philadelphia
(28-24-7). Michal Neuvirth made 18 saves for the victory.
The win snapped a two-game losing streak and was the Flyers' second
victory in six games. Philadelphia remains two points behind the
last Eastern Conference wild-card playoff position.
Schenn said making the playoffs won't be easy, but it isn't
impossible.
"It's tough going through a stretch like we are," said Schenn, who
has a league-leading 14 power-play goals. "We're right in the thick
of it.
"We believe in this locker room we can do it, and it's going to be a
fight right to the end."
The Flyers were 2-for-3 on the power play. That broke a 2-for-19
slump in their previous six games. It was also the first time in 14
games they scored two power-play goals in one contest.
"It's a step in the right direction, that's for sure," Schenn said.
"The puck movement was good tonight."
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Simmonds scored the game's first goal on the power play when he
jabbed in the rebound of a Gostisbehere shot in the first period.
Voracek scored 1:11 into the second, and Schenn made it 3-0 just 87
seconds later when he scored with Simmonds screening Canuck
goaltender Ryan Miller.
Gostisbehere, the runner-up for the Calder Memorial Trophy (rookie
of the year) last season, said the Flyers made some changes on the
power play.
"The puck was going in," he said. "We had great team play out there
in all zones. It showed."
Simmonds said Gostisbehere is returning to the form that saw him
collect 46 points, including 17 goals, in 64 games last year.
Gostisbehere has four goals and 21 assists in 53 games this season.
"Ghost has had his ups and downs this year, but he's a heck of a
player and has unbelievable skill," Simmonds said. "He can be a
catalyst offensively for us."
Just when it looked as if the Flyers had the game under control,
Vancouver cut the lead to one with goals from Markus Granlund and
Jannik Hansen before the second period ended.
Voracek said the Flyers didn't panic heading into the third.
"I don't think we changed anything, to be honest," he said. "We were
pretty tight in the neutral zone, we didn't give them much.
"It was a great team win."
Voracek shrugged when asked what it felt like scoring his first goal
since Jan. 25.
"Like I scored a goal," he said. "We won the game, that's the way I
looked at it. It doesn't matter who scored the goals. This one kept
us in the race."
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![](../images/022117pics/sports59.jpg)
Vancouver Canucks forward Brandon Sutter (20) reaches for the puck
against Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere (53)
during the third period at Rogers Arena. The Philadelphia Flyers won
3-2. Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports
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The Canucks (26-28-6) managed just six shots on net in the third
period and have just three wins in their past 11 games. They remain
four points out of the final wild-card playoff spot in the Western
Conference.
Miller, who finished with 25 saves, said the Canucks can't afford to
lose any more ground in the playoff race.
"There was good things in the game, but ultimately we lost and we
need make up some ground, so it's frustrating," he said. "We showed
good spirit, but it doesn't really mean much now."
The Canucks were playing their second game in 24 hours after
defeating the Calgary Flames 2-1 in overtime Saturday night.
Vancouver struggled on the power play, going 0-for-4 and managing
just two shots.
"Execution was off," Canucks captain Henrik Sedin said. "We got
shots blocked again, didn't make the right decisions with the puck."
Defenseman Ben Hutton said the Canucks dug themselves an early hole.
"You never want to give up a three-goal lead, especially in his
league," he said. "It's tough to come back. You can't do that and
expect to get point every night."
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NOTES: Canucks G Ryan Miller, who made 35 saves against Calgary,
started back-to-back games for the first time this season. ...
Vancouver C Reid Boucher returned to the lineup after being a
healthy scratch Saturday. It was his seventh game with Vancouver
since being claimed off waivers from New Jersey on Jan. 4. ...
Canucks RW Jack Skille missed the game after sustaining a groin
injury against Calgary. ... D Philip Larsen and D Alex Biega were
healthy scratches for the Canucks. ... The Canucks have a five-day
break before hosting San Jose on Saturday. ... LW Dale Weise, a
former Canucks player, returned to the Flyers' lineup after being a
healthy scratch the previous two games and seven times in the
previous 12. ... Flyers C Jordan Weal didn't play after sustaining
an upper-body injury against Edmonton. ... Philadelphia D Nick
Schultz and D Andrew MacDonald were healthy scratches. ... The
Flyers return home to play Washington on Wednesday.
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