Isles Sink Flyers in OT

The Islanders controlled play after falling behind in the first period and handed the Flyers their second overtime loss this season. Hamrlik took a pass in the slot from Tim Connolly to net the game-winner. Rookie Juraj Kolnik scored twice to bring the Islanders into a 3-3 tie.

The Flyers are 5-0-0-1 in their last six, but squandered a 3-1 lead they built in the first. Keith Primeau had a goal and an assist, Simon Gagne scored his team-high 27th, and Daymond Langkow added a goal for the Atlantic Division-leading Flyers.

Kolnik tied it when he took a pass from Jason Krog, who assisted on both of his goals, and sent a shot that tipped off the glove of Roman Cechmanek and into the net.

Philadelphia went 3-0-0-1 against the Islanders in February, winning two on Long Island in a 13-day span that ended Thursday. The last time the Flyers played somewhere besides the Nassau Coliseum or their home rink was Feb. 7 at Pittsburgh, their previous loss.

Philadelphia took a two-goal lead despite only six first-period shots at former Flyers goalie John Vanbiesbrouck.

Primeau briefly tied Gagne for the Flyers` goal lead when he scored his 26th. Mark Recchi made a behind-the back pass at the goal line to Primeau, who scored from the high slot.

Mariusz Czerkawski answered 33 seconds later with his 20th goal when he scored in front while on his knees and facing away from the goal.

Gagne finished a three-way passing play with Primeau and Dan McGillis, back-handing around Vanbiesbrouck to make it 2-1. Langkow gave the Flyers a two-goal lead with 1:26 left in the first.

Kolnik, in his ninth career game, scored his first of the night (second career) to draw New York to 3-2 at 6:19 of the third on a delayed-penalty call. The Islanders nearly tied it four minutes later, but Cechmanek denied Jason Blake`s breakaway attempt.

Vanbiesbrouck improved after the first period. He made two good stops in the final minute of the second to deny Primeau and Mark Recchi, and turned away Primeau again early in the third to keep the game tied. ^Notes@: Islanders D Eric Cairns was scratched because of a sprained left wrist. ... Flyers RW Rick Tocchet strained his groin in the first period and did not return. ... The announced attendance was 11,613, but snowy weather kept the actual attendance significantly lower. ... Gagne scored in all three road games against the Islanders, but not in the two home games. ... Rick DiPietro, New York`s goalie of the future, is expected to be matched against Roberto Luongo, the former Islanders goalie of the future, at home Saturday against Florida.

(Courtesy Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. Copyright 2001.)

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Author: 6 ABC - Action News (AP)