National Hockey League
BOXSCORE | RECAP
Ottawa 4, Philadelphia 3
When: 1:00 PM ET, Saturday, March 31, 2012
Where: Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Referees: Marc Joannette, Kyle Rehman
Linesmen: Tony Sericolo, Brian Murphy
Attendance: 19822


SENATORS 4, FLYERS 3 (SO): All-Stars Milan Michalek and Jason Spezza scored in the shootout and Craig Anderson denied two of three attempts as visiting Ottawa rebounded after squandering a three-goal lead to extend its winning streak to three games.

Captain Daniel Alfredsson collected a goal and an assist and Spezza and Chris Neil also tallied for the Senators, who have outscored their foes by an 18-11 margin after dropping four of their previous five games. By extending the game past regulation, Ottawa guaranteed that rival Boston could not secure Northeast Division title on Saturday.

Wayne Simmonds netted his fourth goal in three games and rookie Sean Couturier and defenseman Braydon Coburn also tallied for Philadelphia, which is three points behind Pittsburgh for fourth place in the Eastern Conference.

In the shootout, Michalek answered rookie Matt Read's tally in the first round before All-Star Claude Giroux shot high on his attempt. Spezza promptly beat Sergei Bobrovsky before Briere was denied to end the game.

After Ottawa blitzed Bobrovsky with three goals in the first period, Philadelphia mounted its comeback.

Simmonds put the Flyers on the scoreboard after the puck deflected off his face and into the net. Simmonds remained on the ice for several moments, but was able to return to the contest.

Couturier trimmed the deficit to one with 5:22 left in the second period after sliding a backhander past Anderson. Coburn leveled the contest just 2:39 later after his shot skipped past the netminder for his fourth goal.

GAME NOTEBOOK: The teams won two contests apiece in the season series. ... Bobrovsky fell to 3-1-1 in his career versus Ottawa. Coach Peter Laviolette did not reveal the starting netminder for Sunday's game against Pittsburgh. ... Neil's tally was his 199th of his career. ...

Top Game Performances
 
Ottawa   Philadelphia
Daniel Alfredsson 2 Points Daniel Briere 2
Daniel Alfredsson 1 Goals Braydon Coburn 1
Daniel Alfredsson 1 Assists Daniel Briere 2
N/A Power Play Goals N/A
N/A Short Handed Goals N/A
Craig Anderson .923 Save Percentage Sergei Bobrovsky .897
Craig Anderson 36 Saves Sergei Bobrovsky 26
Team Stats Summary
 
Team Shots Goals Power Play Penalty Kill Penalty Mins Face Offs Won
Ottawa 29 4 0-4 5-5 12 28
Philadelphia 39 3 0-5 4-4 10 32
Upcoming Games
  • Philadelphia will play their next game on the road against Pittsburgh. The Flyers have a W/L % of .444 after a win and .758 after a loss.
  • Ottawa will play their next game on the road against NY Islanders. The Senators have a W/L % of .600 after a win and .421 after a loss.