Flyers Shutdown in Game 2

Flyers fall to Bruins 3-2 to drop into 0-2 series hole

The Flyers outshot the Bruins 54 to 41 but the Orange and Black still came up short Monday night in Game 2 of the team’s semifinal matchup.

David Krejci scored 14:00 into overtime and the Bruins beat Philly 3-2 on Monday night to take a 2-0 lead in the Eastern Conference semifinal series.

"At first I thought it was in. Then they kept playing," Krejci said.

Krejci fired a one-timer from one knee that ricocheted off the back off the net and back onto the ice. Play continued until officials could review the call. But the goal was clearly good.

Boston goalie Tim Thomas allowed two first period goals to James van Riemsdyk but then stopped an astonishing 46 straight Flyers shots to take the win.

"(Thomas) was hot," Flyers Danny Briere said. "He was seeing every shot. I really believe if we keep playing the same way, we'll get good results."

Chris Kelly and Brad Marchand also scored for the Bruins, who have taken a seemingly commanding lead on the Flyers for the second straight year. Boston led 3-0 in the East semis a year ago before the Flyers won four straight to advance -- including a rally from a 3-0 hole in Game 7.

Brian Boucher was almost as good as Thomas but he couldn't hold off the OT charge.

Boucher won games this postseason as a starter and reliever. He mixed both in Game 2. Boucher stopped 21 shots before he left the game in the middle of the second after he appeared to hurt his
wrist.

It was the fifth time in nine playoff games the Flyers made a goalie switch -- the first because of injury rather than ineffectiveness. The score was 2-2 when Boucher left and when he returned.

The crowd was rocking from the start after they heard the usual stirring rendition of God Bless America, live by Lauren Hart and on video by the late Kate Smith. Fans chanted "U-S-A! U-S-A!"
after lineups were introduced, and again after the song was finished, a day after Osama bin Laden was killed.

Van Riemsdyk kept 20,000 orange-clad fans roaring when he scored only 29 seconds into the game. He beat Thomas again midway into the period, mixing the power play with a dose of pride and patriotism, for the fast lead.

In these playoffs, a 2-0 lead almost seems like a 2-0 hole. The Flyers are forced to keep attacking because the goaltending has been so porous.

Sure enough, Boucher and the Flyers blew it in a hurry.

Kelly scored off a rebound, and Marchand's wrister through Boucher's legs gave Boston goals only 1:25 apart.

JVR had a breakout game for the Flyers. He scored two goals on eight shots and was all over the ice trying to help the Flyers win at least one at home. Instead, they have to rally from another deficit.

Game 3 is Wednesday in Boston.


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