Weise’s SH Goal, Stolarz’s Strong Start Lead Flyers Past Penguins

By Kevin Durso, Sports Talk Philly editor 

The night didn't start well for Anthony Stolarz and the Flyers. The first shot of the game was in the net.

But Stolie shined and ultimately stole a win for the Flyers in Pittsburgh. A shorthanded goal by Dale Weise proved to be the game-winner as Stolarz earned his first NHL win in since April 1, 2017 as the Flyers defeated the Penguins, 4-2, on Saturday night.

It didn't take the Penguins long to strike for the first goal. A bad pinch by Ivan Provorov sent the Penguins back the other way on a two-on-one. Jake Guentzel fed Sidney Crosby, who fired into a half empty net for the easy goal just 39 seconds in.

The Flyers stayed the course and got the game tied on one of their first chances of the game. Robert Hagg connected on an outlet pass for Travis Konecny on a breakaway and he beat Casey DeSmith to tie the game at one at 5:42.

Stolarz was more of the story throughout the first two periods. The Penguins got four odd-man rushes in the first 40 minutes and had some great chances around the net, but Stolarz remained sharp and composed in goal.

The Penguins did retake the lead at 5:49 of the second as Riley Sheahan was able to walk in on goal and beat Stolarz with a pinpoint shot to the short side. Just 63 seconds after Sheahan gave the Penguins the lead, the Flyers tied the game back up. Jake Voracek set up Claude Giroux for a one-timer and he didn't miss for his ninth goal of the season.

After two periods, the Penguins outshot the Flyers, 22-18.

The Flyers started the third period shorthanded after Radko Gudas took a penalty out of a scrum. On the only man advantage the Penguins had in the game, the Flyers were the team getting a goal.

Scott Laughton made a great outlet pass to Weise. Weise cut in on a breakaway and beat DeSmith through the five-hole to put the Flyers ahead just 51 seconds into the period. 

The Flyers withstood the push from the Penguins throughout the period, with Stolarz leading the way with 30 saves on the night.

With under a minute to go and the goalie pulled, the Flyers never allowed the Penguins to get set up and ultimately it was Voracek who sealed the game with an empty-net goal with 21 seconds left.

Andrew MacDonald finished the game with three assists. Voracek had two points. DeSmith made 22 saves in the loss.

The Flyers have off until next Thursday when they return to home ice to face the Columbus Blue Jackets. Game time is 7 p.m.

Box Score

  1 2 3 T
Flyers 1 1 2 4
Penguins 1 1 0 2

Scoring Summary

1st Period

  • PIT Sidney Crosby (14) (Jake Guentzel, Brian Dumoulin) 0:39
  • PHI Travis Konecny (8) (Robert Hagg, Andrew MacDonald) 5:42

2nd Period

  • PIT Riley Sheahan (3) (Bryan Rust) 5:49
  • PHI Claude Giroux (9) (Jake Voracek, MacDonald) 6:52

3rd Period

  • PHI Dale Weise (2) SH (Scott Laughton, MacDonald) 0:51
  • PHI Voracek (7) EN (Sean Couturier) 19:38

Game Statistics

  Flyers Penguins
Shots 26 32
Power Plays 0/3 0/1
Hits 36 39
Faceoff % 63.8% 36.2%
Giveaways 8 14
Takeaways 9 17
Blocked Shots 16 15
Penalty Minutes 9 13
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