Flyers defeat Panthers in Thriller

PHILADELPHIA (AP) – Matt Stajan had one of the best games of his young career last game versus the Florida Panthers as he got 3 points in a 4-3 Flyers win.

The Panthers opened the scoring at 3:16 on a goal by Owen Nolan, his 20th goal of the season as the Panthers looked to be in control of the game yet again. Matthew Stajan’s strong play paid off as he set up the tying goal as Martin Grenier snuck one past Roberto Luongo as the Flyers were shorthanded. The Flyers then took the lead on a goal by Roman Lyashenko set up by Stajan late in the first period. The Panther drew even early in the 2nd as Kris Kurdoc got called for roughing 51 seconds in the powerplay answered with a goal by Patrik Stefan near the end of the powerplay. Under a minute later Matthew Stajan capped off a great night as he answered back with a goal set up by Lyashenko and Georges Laraque, this being Georges 3rd assist of the game. The Game winning goal was scored by Peter Polcik shorthanded from Seidenberg and Wellwood.

Andrew Raycroft played very well stopping 34 of 37 shots earning him his 4th win and the second star honors. His great play has earned him the right to start back to back games tonight and tomorrow versus the New York Rangers. Matthew Stajan was named the games 1st star finishing as a +2 with 5 shots and 23 minutes of ice time and Georges Laraque played arguably one of the best games of his Flyers career with his 3 points in just 12 minutes of ice time.

The Flyers next game as we mentioned earlier comes tomorrow from First Union Center versus the New York Rangers. Andrew Raycroft will make his 3rd start in a row. The Flyers hope that the success for the young guns will continue into next game.