Flyers fans hurl objects on ice as team drops ugly Game 3 to Capitals

Heading into Monday’s Game 3, there were all the makings for a Flyers win. The team was slated to honor their late owner Ed Snider — and they did. Fans hoped they’d hear Kate Smith sing “God Bless America” with Lauren Hart, and they did.

Flyers fans wanted a win butthey didn’t get one. What they got instead was an embarrassing loss and an 0-3 series deficit. The defeat was not only embarrassing from the team but the fans as well, who cost the team a penalty by throwing objects on the ice. The game joins the ranks of Eagles fans booing Santa and throwing batteries in Philly sports infamy.

Philly’s power play unit failed every time it was on the ice and the team had no answer for likely Veznia-winner Braden Holtby as the club dropped the must-win game 6-1 (to trail the series 0-3).

Less than one minute after an emotional, tear-jerking pre-game ceremony Michael Rafflchipped a slap shot from Brandon Manning past Braden Holtby to give the Flyers their first lead of the series.

But just as they had all series long the Caps took advantage of a Flyers mistake to tie things up. Marcus Johanssonshot it through Steve Mason’s legs on a power play with Wayne Simmonds in the box for holding three minutes later in the first.

The Flyers have been outscored 7-0in the power play this series and are the only playoff team without a strike on the man advantage. Washington has eight power play goals in the series.

At even strength in the second Washington did more damage, as Alexander Ovechkinfound the puck just as he was hitting the ice with a shift change. He buried a slap shot on nylon to put the Capitals up 2-1 midway through Game 3.

Insurance and a dagger came early in the third, and yes, it was on another Washington power play, as a wild bounce off the boards set upEvganyKuznetsov one-on-one against Steve Mason. He converted the shot and gave the Capitals a comfortable lead. Holtby assisted in the goal (and now has more playoff points than Claude Giroux and Wayne Simmonds).

A third power play goal was added on a 4-on-3 chance for Washington a few minutes after, on a blast from John Carlson. And then things got ugly. A big scrum cost the Flyers 25 minutes in penalties and a barrage of wristbands (the ones handed out for the pregame light show) were hurled on the ice.

After a warning from Lou Nolan — and power play goal by Ovechkin — more wrist bands cost the Flyers two more minutes for delay of game.

Holtby stopped 31Flyers shots while Mason allowed saved 21of the Caps’ 27shots.