
The names of the Flyers fourth line players show up in the box score after almost every game. Usually it's with a (roughing) or a (fighting) afterward, but last night, in addition to some hard-earned PIM, they also showed up on the score sheet. To open the scoring for the Flyers, who were down 2-0, Riley Cote threw big check behind the net, quickly gathered the puck, and tossed a great pass to the front of the net, which Aaron Asham buried behind Isles goalie Yann Danis.
Early in the second period, Cote did what he's known best for, battling a man twice his size in Mitch Fritz, who stands 6'8" to Cote's 6'1".
Finally a good brawl. Most of what we've seen lately are the cat-and-mouse fights, where the combatants pull jerseys and hold their faces away, waiting for the opportunity to land a solid punch, rather than just firing at will. Useless. Cote looked like he was in trouble when Fritz landed some solid shots early, but he hung in there long enough to bloody the giant.
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Before the fight, the Flyers were on the ropes, with the Isles getting the first two markers. Asham's goal had cut their lead to one, but the tempo really started to swing the Flyers' way after the Cote-Fritz battle. Five minutes later, sporting the Bobby Clarke fronts, Darroll Powe scored his first NHL goal, and Jeff Carter would add his 20th before the second period was over. Carter is now tied for the league lead.
Early in the third, the Islanders tied it up, but Simon Gagne's 14th put the Flyers up for good. Gags got a nice pass from Mike Richards, who also assisted on Pole's goal.
The Flyers are now tied with the Penguins for second in the Atlantic division, and they'll wrap up their season series with the Hurricanes on Thursday.