Bruins Blow Two Goal Lead, Lose in OT

Boston and Philadelphia were back at it for the second time in four days Saturday afternoon at the TD Banknorth Garden. The Flyers were looking to avenge their 3-1 loss to the Bruins on Wednesday.

It didn't start well for the Flyers, however, as Marc Savard put the Bruins out in front less than four minutes in. Savard scored his 21st of the season off of his own rebound. The goal was a bit of a softy, as Philadelphia starter Martin Biron probably should have stopped the attempt.

With the lead, Boston didn't slow down as the Bruins were taking the physical play to the Flyers. However, the momentum would shift in a hurry.

At about the midway point of the period, Blake Wheeler went to the box on a holding call. Philadelphia didn't convert on their first powerplay but the penalty calls wouldn't stop there.

Dennis Wideman was the next Bruin called for a penalty, with a hook. Less than a minute later, Mark Stuart went to the box on a bit of a phantom tripping call.

The Flyers were able to take advantage of the five-on-three opportunity as Simon Gagne corralled a rebound off the left post and beat Fernandez.

The final minute of the first period was good to the Bruins as Boston would take the lead with one minute to go. It was Byron Bitz collecting his first career NHL goal off of a shot from the point had just clanged off the post and laid on the goal line. Bitz was in the right place at the right time and knocked in the loose puck.

Just eight seconds later the Bruins were able to pad their lead to two as Chuck Kobasew came down the right wing and beat Biron. The goal was another weak one let up by Biron and it would spell the end of his day.

In the second period the Flyers looked to rejuvenate themselves and replaced Biron with Antero Niittymaki. Just a couple of minutes into the period, old friend, Glen Metropolit cut the Boston lead to one as Metro took a pass from behind the net and was able to beat Fernandez over the shoulder.

A little over four minutes later the Bruins found themselves on the penalty kill again on another questionable call. Kobasew went to the box for interference and Philadelphia was able to take advantage again. This time it was Scott Hartnell doing the damage and Boston's lead had been erased.

The third period was full of hard play, but no scoring. Boston had a late opportunity being on the power play in the final minutes but the Flyers had the best opportunity. In the final seconds Philadelphia had a two-on-one that required Fernandez to make a gorgeous glove save on Gagne.

The teams headed for overtime looking for the extra point and the Bruins held the advantage for most of the stanza. Boston was just inches away from winning the game as a shot from the blue line went off the iron. Less than a minute later, Philadelphia ended the game on a lucky break.

Boston enemy, Randy Jones threw a puck at the net that deflected off of Andrew Ference and past Fernandez for the game winner.

The Flyers earned this win with a great comeback effort. The Bruins looked tired down the stretch and couldn't hold off the Philadelphia comeback. The Bruins will have to rest up before facing off with the San Jose Sharks, Tuesday night at the Garden. Even with the overtime loss the Bruins earned a point and now sit 15 points ahead of Washington in the Eastern Conference.