SUNRISE, Fla. -- The Flyers’ win streak is over at three.
The Florida Panthers won 5-4 in a shootout on Saturday night at the BB&T Center. Nick Cousins and Sam Gagner were stopped by Roberto Luongo in the shootout, while Florida went two for two on scores from Nick Bjugstad and Aleksander Barkov.
The Flyers had a 3-2 lead midway through the third period. They had a red-hot goalie in Steve Mason, who had he held on would have had his fourth straight win, allowing a total of five goals during that span.
But there would be no Flyers win. Instead, Florida rallied for two goals within 65 seconds, by Barkov and Reilly Smith, who had two scores on the night.
The Flyers rallied one last time with a goal by rookie defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere with 1:55 left in the third period to force overtime.
Gostisbehere, who last season became the first born-and-raised South Floridian to appear in an NHL game, finally played against the hometown Panthers, and he came through.
NHL
The 22-year-old is having a great season, breaking NHL rookie records for overtime goals (four) and consecutive games with at least one point (15).
Power play
Ryan White gave the Flyers a 2-1 second-period lead, converting on the Flyers' third power play of the game. But in overtime, the Flyers had a power play and failed to convert while playing four-on-three.
Sold out
The Panthers sold out for just the ninth time this season, announcing a crowd of 19,404. Panthers fans dominated in their arena, but Flyers supporters could be heard on Philadelphia goals.
Stolie the Goalie
Flyers goalie Michal Neuvirth (stomach flu) was scratched, and goalie Anthony Stolarz was brought up from the AHL’s Lehigh Valley Phantoms to serve as the backup (see story). It was the third time Stolarz was promoted this season, all due to a Neuvirth injury or illness.
Scratches
Forwards Jordan Weal (upper-body) and Jakub Voracek (lower-body) and Andrew MacDonald (lower-body) were all injured scratches, while R.J. Umberger sat out healthy.
Party time
Twenty years ago, the Panthers eliminated the Flyers in the Eastern Conference semifinals en route to the first and only trip to the Stanley Cup Final in franchise history. On Saturday, many of the Panthers from that team were at the BB&T Center for a reunion, including coach Doug MacLean and star goalie John Vanbiesbrouck.
Up next
The Flyers return home to face the team they are chasing — the Red Wings — on Tuesday.