Wayne Simmonds continues to produce offensively. He has five goals and two assists in four games for the Flyers. Credit: Getty Images
The Flyers are the worst team in NHL history in the shootout (tied with Carolina with just 24 wins in eight-plus years). Nothing changed Tuesday night against the Ducks, as Philadelphia fell 4-3 (2-1 in the shootout).
A backhand flip by Claude Giroux evened the shootout at one-apiece after Jakob Silfverberg scored but the game-winner came from William Karlson.
The Flyers drop another game, though they do earn a point, falling to 0-2-2.
Trailing 3-2 after one valiant comeback attempt, Jake Voracek picked the perfect time for his first goal of the season, flipping a backhand shot from the crease over Ducks’ goalie Fredrick Anderson’s shoulder to tie the game at 3-all with under five minutes remaining.
The Flyers slow season start extended into the first period Tuesday, as the Ducks and Tim Jackman jumped ahead with an early backhand goal two third of the way through the 20 minutes. A few minutes later, with the Flyers through killing a Nick Schultz penalty the Ducks struck again off the stick of Devante Smith-Pelly seconds after the power play expired.
Philadelphia drew a pair of penalties with under eight to go in the second and had 48 seconds of 3-on-5 time, finally yielding some offense with Mark Streit finding nylon with a slap shot to get the Flyers within one, 2-1. Claude Giroux and Wayne Simmonds assisted on the goal.
Simmonds netted the equalizer before the period was over, lifting the Flyers’ momentum to a fevered pitch after a bevy of shots and saves at the net finally yielded a goal, Simmonds’ fifth assisted by Brayden Schenn and Giroux.
But with 16 seconds left in the second frame the Ducks said “no,” as Matt Beleskey took advantage of a wide-open crease to give Anaheim its second lead of the game with 20 minutes to play.
The Flyers outshot the Ducks 42-28 and their onslaught included several viable chances during the five-minute overtime period. But no victory yet for the Flyers, who travel out west this coming weekend.
