Flyers’ Rally Falls Short to Avalanche

After being held to just 12 shots through two periods against the NHL’s best team, the Flyers threw everything and the kitchen sink at the net in the third. A total of 13 shots more than doubled their total for the game in a bid to find the equalizer.

But, as the best teams tend to do, the Colorado Avalanche made the lead stand up, improving to 21-2-6 on the season with a 3-2 decision over the Flyers on Sunday afternoon.

The Flyers opened the scoring at 2:09 as Sean Couturier, playing in his 900th NHL game, scored on a deflection to make it 1-0.

The Avalanche answered back at 8:28, as Brent Burns fired a shot past Sam Ersson for his fourth goal of the season to tie the game.

In the final minute of the first period, the Avalanche struck for a power-play goal. Brock Nelson was the last to get a piece of a loose puck at the front of the net, scoring his 10th goal of the season.

Through 20 minutes, shots were 12-3 Colorado.

Just 1:47 into the second, the Avalanche extended the lead. Valeri Nichushkin finished off the rush for his seventh goal of the season to make it 3-1.

The Flyers cut the lead to one at 5:58 of the period, as Travis Konecny got behind the defense and scored his seventh of the season.

Through two periods, shots were 25-12 Colorado.

The Flyers put 13 shots on goal in the third, including a penalty shot for Trevor Zegras that was stopped by Mackenzie Blackwood. The Flyers’ late push, which featured several close calls, wasn’t enough in the end.

Blackwood made 23 saves on 25 shots in the win. Ersson made 25 saves on 28 shots in the loss.

The Flyers continue the six-game homestand on Tuesday night against the San Jose Sharks at 7 p.m.