The Flyers public address announcer urged fans to “show some class”, and then sarcastically added “way to go” when the fans earned the penalty.
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Alex Ovechkin scored twice, Braden Holtby had 31 saves and the Washington Capitals moved one game closer to a sweep in their first-round playoff series with a 6-1 win over the Philadelphia Flyers and their disgruntled fans Tuesday. The Wells Fargo Center was loud, joyous, and anticipating a performance that would cut Washington’s series lead to 2-1. Game 4 is Wednesday in Philadelphia.
“I know they made that announcement to the fans to tell them not to throw anything on the ice”, said Flyers forward Wayne Simmonds, whom cameras captured motioning at fans to Stop!
“It’s a huge opportunity for us to come back home with the win and see what’s going to happen and who’s going to be next”, Ovechkin said.
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 and the Capitals will have to only improve from this point on in the series as the Flyers have only scored one goal in two games of the series. “We’re going to have to play tough and hard on their top guys”, Schenn said.Backstrom, normally a past-first player, fooled Steve Mason with his goal late in the third period as he opened up down the wing like he was going to pass it across.
It might have been the only “Way to go” for the orange and black if not for Michael Raffl’s goal in the 57th second that brought the crowd to full throat.
But passion alone wasn’t enough to fuel the Flyers.
Game 4 is Thursday night in Philadelphia. “And they (the Flyers) give us lots of practice”. Philadelphia saluted their former founder in a touching tribute that seemed to hit home on the Flyers bench.
That Capitals power play was lethal, going 5-for-9 in Game Three alone, against a Flyers team that appeared intent on causing mayhem and ended up paying for it.
“OK”, Nolan said on the second go round. He has a message for you, Flyers fans.
At the moment, the Eastern Conference rivals are heading into Game 3 with very different perspectives as the Capitals hold a 2-0 series lead. “EMS” – initials for Edward Malcolm Snider – were painted on the ice behind each net.
Lauren Hart, the team’s longtime anthem singer, sang “God Bless America” with Snider’s name and the number 67 on the back of her team jersey.
It better happen soon, though, or the Flyers’ season will be over. Hart’s eyes watered and her hands were shaking throughout. He knocked in the first shot of the game off Brandon Manning’s attempt from the point.
The Flyers need to take a page from the Caps, who used a double screen on John Carlson’s power-play goal to take a 1-0 first-period lead. “I just thought it wasn’t good for the game”. I think they made a push in the end of the second, but they hit the post… but we stuck together and we managed the puck into the third.
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“Not a pretty one, but we’ll take it”, Ovechkin said. Jason Chimera tipped in a 100-plus footer from the red line that basically took a walk and strolled into the net via Mason’s five-hole. His quick shot from the right circle beat Mason far side at 8:50 for the first of his two goals.
