Tavares Scores Twice as Islanders Down Flyers in Preseason Debut

By Kevin Durso, Sports Talk Philly editor 

If you were looking for a test for a lot of rookies in the Flyers system, you got it on Sunday.

The Flyers sent a youthful lineup to Nassau Coliseum for the preseason opener and managed to carry a lead into the third period. 

But the Islanders veteran-heavy lineup was able to rally back, with John Tavares striking twice including in overtime for the game-winning goal in a 3-2 Islanders win over the Flyers.

Penalties were the story in the first period. Both teams got power play chances but couldn't capitalize and 5-on-5 play was fairly limited.

In the second, the Flyers scored the game's first goal early. Off a face-off win, Shayne Gostisbehere threw a shot on goal that was deflected in by Mike Vecchione for the first goal of the preseason.

The Flyers were shorthanded later in the period, but managed a goal as Jori Lehtera got a breakaway and avoided the poke-check attempt to score and make it a 2-0 game. 

The Islanders still had power play time and responded immediately with Tavares scoring to cut the lead to one. The Flyers carried a 2-1 lead into the third.

The Islanders tied the game early in the third with Mathew Barzal beating Travis Sanheim on a rush and beating Leland Irving with a shot. That score held for the remainder of regulation, despite a late power-play attempt by the Flyers.

Early in overtime, a turnover by Phil Myers set up Tavares for the game-winning goal.

The Flyers are back on the ice on Wednesday for split-squad action against the Islanders from Allentown and Brooklyn. Both games start at 7 p.m.

Box Score

Scoring Summary

1st Period

• No Scoring

2nd Period

• PHI Mike Vecchione (1)
• PHI Jori Lehtera (1) SH
• NYI John Tavares (1) PP 

3rd Period

• NYI Mathew Barzal (1)

Overtime

• NYI Tavares (2)