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"All Geeked-Up for the Deadline..."
Newtown Square, PA • United States • 45 Years Old • Male
The Flyers completed the most amazing comeback I have ever witnessed in a single hockey game at the Bank Building this evening.

Down 5-1 to the Canes, who were using the Orange and Black to mop the ice in the second period, the Flyers came back to tie it in the third powered by Scottie Hartnell's hat-trick. Antero Niittymaki, while giving up 5 goals, make some absolutely stellar saves to seal the tie and take it to OT. The Orange and Black gladly took the point, while the Canes looked as if someone had shot their dog.

With less than two minutes remaining in the extra frame, a dog-tired Jeff Carter limped to the bench after sprinting the length of the ice, apparently, did not make the gate before Glen Metropolit stepped on. The Refs called the bench minor which put the Flyers down 4-3 for the remaining 90 seconds. The triangle played solid D, while Niitty stoned the Canes on numerous occasions. The Flyers were able to withstand the Carolina pressure and force the Shootout. While I am not a fan of the shootout, I am a fan of what transpired next. Simon Gagne was the first shooter, who took the puck in on the left side. This was interesting because he most always takes the right-handed path to the net. The prolific Left Winger went backhand to forehand and beat a sprawling Michael Leighton for the first goal. Tuomo Ruutu shot first for the Hurricanes, but was outwaited by Niitty who turned aside the shot. Mike Richards was the second shooter for the Flyers. He went in on the right and pulled the puck back to his forehand like it was on a string and roofed the game winner past a dejected Canes netminder.

The scene on the bench was astounding. Grown men hugging eachother, high fiving...cats and dogs living together...total chaos!!! The Boys spilled out over the half wall and mobbed Niittymaki and Hartnell. It was insane.

Eric Staal was the Third star, scoring two goals and adding an asisst - he did not make it to the ice.

The Second star was none other than the man who capped the astounding comeback with the 5th goal at the 18:15 mark of the 3rd and scored the opening goal of the shootout - #12 Simon Gagne. What an amazing rebound season he is having!

Whether scoring goals or beating the snot out of Casey Borer (see above), the First star needed no introduction - the fans had been cheering his name all night. Scottie Hartnell was all smiles and pumped his fist as he celebrated his 5th career hat-trick with goals 7, 8 and 9. Harts was a man possessed and all his teammates did was get the puck to him. As you can see...he knew what to do with it.

What a night! This was one for the ages...

Thanks for reading...

SYF
December 11, 2008 11:36 PM ET | Delete
Best game I have ever been to in my life. Ha Ha to those who left after the 2nd.
December 11, 2008 11:36 PM ET | Delete
Best Regular Season game that is.
December 12, 2008 12:28 AM ET | Delete
THAT would have been a great game to watch in person. Should 'a called me. BTW, the lease is up on Hartnell. Return him please.
December 12, 2008 4:25 AM ET | Delete
Maybe it was a good thing I started watching in the 3rd, what a good game!
December 12, 2008 8:00 AM ET | Delete
Great game, and nice recap, SYF. The Harts - Borer fight was the start of a great night for Hartnell, and what a finish in the shootout. Niitty and the boys pulled out a great one for two points. Think I'll go On-Demand and watch it again...
December 12, 2008 8:39 AM ET | Delete
I'm ashamed to admit, I switched after the 2nd period to watch the Holy War between Villanova and St. Joe's (which was also a great game)...I managed to switch back just in time to seem Nitty stop the 2nd shoter for the 'Canes. I'm flogging myself and will beg the commish for forgiveness....and I'll keep my hands off the podium, too.
December 12, 2008 9:41 AM ET | Delete
AI - I did not get to the Bank Building to see it, man, that must have been insane in there!Blueline - Thanks but NO, you may not have Harts back :P4487 - you missed us slopping it up in period 2, but at least you saw the good stuff!TM - Loved the Borer fight - that sort of gritty play is what makes Harts beloved in this town. He earned some of that salary last night,PF - Shame, Shame on you!!!!! Give me 5 Hail Clarkies, flagellate thyself with the Mike Richards' most-holy hockey stick of shorthanded goals and sniff the Scott Hartnell sweaty glove of self-depreciation and find solace in his Mercy. Amen, Brother. (gives the Moose Dupont sign of the Cross)Thanks for responding fellas!SYF
December 12, 2008 10:04 AM ET | Delete
NO!!!! NO!!!!! PLEASE Not the hockey glove......one whiff of those and you hallucinate for a month......paisley elephants....seeing Barney everywhere.....the Dancing Guy naked............AIYEEEEEEeeeeeeeeeeeee
December 12, 2008 12:53 PM ET | Delete
Great recap SYF. I went from cursing and screaming at my tv in the 2nd to cursing and screaming at my tv in the 3rd. Hell of a game. - SZ
December 12, 2008 6:56 PM ET | Delete
December 12, 2008 7:13 PM ET | Delete
Ijust wanted to add to this game of the ages review. To those of you that missed the 1st two periods, the Flyers looked really sluggish and where beaten to the puck time after time. So this 3rd period comeback was more that just a challenge as they where not only fighting themselves to win. They where fighting the referees. Carolina was given at least 8 minutes in powerplay time from bad or seriously blatent and questionable penalties against the Flyers. All the while allowing Carolina the freedom to Board the flyers defensemen and receive a four minute powerplay to boot. This game to me was not only a comback game for the ages but, speaks volumes to the fans that this team has the beloved Philly blue colar never say die attitude. Next up another parade down that great trail thru the city of Brotherly Love!!!!
December 13, 2008 11:31 AM ET | Delete
one of the best come backs in years great win for philly again great job syf you put me to shame great job buddy
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