Jakub Voracek scores past Henrik Lundqvist in Game 2 of the series.
Credit: Getty Images
The last time the Flyers won in Madison Square Garden, they were fresh off the Winter Classic at Citizens Bank Park and seeking their second straight berth to the Stanley Cup Finals in 2011.
Now after Sunday’s 4-2 win in downtown Manhattan against the Rangers to even the first round of their playoff series at 1-1, you can bet you’ve heard about the Flyers’ 10-game MSG losing streak for the final time.
“That’s a huge weight off our shoulders, to come here and get the split,” Luke Schenn, whose goal in the second period would prove to be the game winner, said. “We accomplished that and now going back home we feel a bit better about ourselves.”
The Flyers had allowed six unanswered goals in the series when they trailed the Rangers 2-0 midway through the first, but they finally got the momentum back with a Jakub Voracek Goal to end the first frame down just 2-1.
Then in the second, Jason Akeson made amends for his big penalty in Game 1, the double-minor that cost the Flyers two short-handed goals and arguably the game, by netting the equalizer.
Not long after that, Schenn scored immediately after a Rangers penalty was called to put the Flyers up 3-1.
“I knew it was a delayed penalty,” Schenn said. “I figured if they touched the puck it was blown dead anyway, so I decided to jump up on the rush. They guys did a great job and just battling I was able to get a rebound and chip in.”
The Flyers special teams really rebounded after allowing an early power play goal to New York, and appeared to get stronger, killing key penalties down the stretch.
“I know they gave up the one goal but we were playing,” Flyers coach Craig Berube said. “We had a line change and we gave them too much time, too much room. Overall we did a good job of killing the 4-on-3, good blocks and they did a good job with their sticks and stuff.”
Game 3 is at 8 p.m. back in Philly.
