Flyers Shutout Again, Lose To Canucks
Dec 3rd, 2009 | By David Strehle | Category: Flyers
The Philadelphia Flyers’ recent stretch of futility continued tonight as they lost to the Vancouver Canucks, 3-0 at the Wachovia Center. The Flyers are now mired in a 3 game losing streak and have lost 6 of their last 7.
Not too long ago, the Flyers were one of the most feared offensive teams in the entire National Hockey League. But after being shutout last night by Roberto Luongo and the Canucks, they have not scored a goal over the course of the past two games. As a matter of fact, the Flyers haven’t scored a goal since the closing seconds of the first period on Black Friday against the Buffalo Sabres. Their scoreless streak is currently in excess of 160 minutes.
Vancouver got the only goal that they would need from defenseman Willie Mitchell in the second period on a play that Flyers goaltender Brian Boucher was interfered with by Tanner Glass. During a net mouth scramble after a Boucher save, Glass bowled Boucher over as he crossed through the center of the blue paint from post to post. Boucher barely got back to his skates again as Mitchell picked up the rebound in the slot and sailed a backhander high into the net. It was Mitchell’s 3rd goal of the year and came with just less than 6 and a half minutes left in the period.
Captain Mike Richards attempted to energize the Flyers as he fought tough Vancouver defenseman Kevin Bieksa. It didn’t work as the Canucks scored their second goal late in the period. The Sedin twins set this one up as Henrik passed from the corner to Daniel at the top of the left circle. Daniel took a slapshot that beat Boucher under the crossbar. The goal was originally credited to Daniel but after reviewing replays, the official scorers gave the goal to Alex Burrows. Daniels Sedin’s shot had deflected off of Burrows’ pants, and Borrows’ 8th of the season gave Vancouver the 2-0 lead heading into the third.
Christian Ehrhoff closed out the scoring with 7th goal of the year at the 16:41 mark of the third.
Philadelphia had their chances and actually outshot Vancouver for the game, 38-29. They also hit the post three times in the first half of the game, but Luongo came up big the entire game.
The task doesn’t get any easier for the Flyers as their next game is against the Eastern Conference leading Washington Capitals Saturday night in Philadelphia.
Taking a Flyer: Danny Briere returned to the lineup and continued his chippy play. He was assessed a double minor for attempting to spear Vancouver forward Mikael Samuelsson late in the second period.
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