Philadelphia Flyers

GIF Rewind: Travis Sanheim wins it in overtime in massive game for Flyers

Published

3 years ago

April 5, 2021

The Philadelphia Flyers went into Boston and came away with two points. They scored the first goal and all-important last goal of the game to win in overtime 3-2. The Bruins still picked up one point, which isn’t ideal, but getting a win is the most important thing.

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Travis Konecny opened the scoring, Sean Couturier tied it in the third period, and Travis Sanheim won it in overtime.

First period

The Flyers were strong out of the gates in Boston. Unlike some other meetings where the Bruins took control early, it was a fairly even start with the Flyers getting the better of the possession.

One of their best early chances came just over five minutes into the game with Joel Farabee leading a 2-on-1 with Philippe Myers. Farabee was looking pass, but with that taken away he waited a bit too long and got a shot off just in front of the net.

A few minutes later, it looked like Brad Marchand might get a breakaway –– or at least a chance off the rush. However, Samuel Morin got back and used his reach to take the puck away.

Scott Laughton lost his stick in the corner, but that wasn’t a problem for the feisty forward.

The Bruins had a few good chances as the period moved along, but Brian Elliott had the answers.

One of the best chances was by Patrice Bergeron in front.

Then, the Flyers opened the scoring. Shayne Gostisbehere rushed from behind the goal line into the Bruins zone, and the Flyers went to work.

Ivan Provorov kept the puck in along the boards, and Claude Giroux tipped a shot on net. The initial save was made, but Travis Konecny got to the rebound in front and slammed it into the wide-open net.

That broke a 12-game goal drought for Konecny, who celebrated appropriately.

The Bruins nearly tied it on the next few shifts. They hit the post and had a few prime scoring chances, but the Flyers survived the pushback.

The Bruins hit the post and had a few prime chances, but the Flyers kept them off the board shortly after opening the scoring. That's huge, especially given how easily they would collapse after scoring in March. This time, there were some breakdowns, but they still lead!

— Ryan Gilbert (@RGilbertSOP) April 5, 2021

The Flyers had another odd-man rush and were able to get a shot on net. Travis Sanheim shot it from the left side, and the rebound was kicked into the slot. Unfortunately, no Flyers player was there to put it home.

Then, the Bruins did tie it.

Jakub Voracek failed to clear the zone as he was tripped along the wall, and Karson Kuhlman sniped a goal after a good keep and pass by Charlie Coyle.

Then, after an uncharacteristic icing by Sean Couturier, Shayne Gostisbehre took a tripping penalty.

It was frustrating to see after the non-call on Voracek, but the referees couldn’t not call that on Gostisbehere.

Flyers only have 14 shot attempts to the Bruins' 17, but nine of them are scoring chances, including the game's only 5 high-dangers chances, per @NatStatTrick.

It's good to see them getting to the dangerous areas after shooting a lot from the point on Saturday. pic.twitter.com/qMkRQ0Kjoz

— Ryan Gilbert (@RGilbertSOP) April 5, 2021

The Flyers and Bruins were tied 1-1 after one period of play with 1:18 of Boston power-play time carrying over to the second period.

Second period

Of course, the Bruins scored on the power play.

Bergeron called for the puck in the slot and David Pastrnak hit him for the goal.

Seeing the easy passes other teams make against the Flyers penalty kill is getting exhausting. The Flyers have to be better.

The Flyers were chasing at 5-on-5 after that, but Nolan Patrick rushed into the zone and drew a holding penalty.

They nearly tied it up with a power-play goal of their own, but Daniel Vladar absolutely robbed both Giroux and Konecny.

The Flyers got another power play shortly thereafter, but the Bruins seemingly had the better of the chances. Ivan Provorov turned the puck over at the blue line, but Brian Elliott had the answer.

Boston then had a power play later in the period with a chance to take a two-goal lead. The Flyers penalty kill has struggled mightily against the Bruins this season, but they killed it off this time.

Justin Braun came out of the box and had a breakaway, but he couldn’t do much with it.

The Bruins continued to push as the period came to a close, but the Flyers held them off.

Boston led 2-1 after two periods of play.

Third period

The Bruins had a great chance in the first minute of the third period. Marchand made a move on Braun to get the puck on net, and Bergeron was there for a rebound, but Elliott stopped both.

The teams continued to play an even game for the next few minutes until a hard-working shift by the Flyers fourth line ended with Raffl drawing a penalty.

The top power-play unit didn’t get much going, and the second unit struggled to start. However, Sean Couturier had the answer.

Couturier sniped a shot through traffic to tie the game.

That gave the Flyers some momentum and the top line had a 90-second shift in the offensive zone to keep the pressure on.

The Bruins got away with a few iffy plays later in the period. Tanner Laczynski took a stick to the face and Travis Sanheim was tripped into the boards.

Then, Craig Smith, who tripped Sanheim into the boards, closed his hand on the puck and wasn’t called for a penalty.

The teams headed to overtime tied at two goals apiece.