New names lead Flyers` rally

Philadelphia's Justin Williams found himself frustrated by a bunch of Blue Jackets before taking matters in his own hands.

Williams punched in a rebound from the right side of the goal with 4:14 left in the third period to help the Flyers salvage a 3-3 tie with Columbus on Saturday night.

"It's very frustrating," Williams, the second-year right wing, said. "They (Columbus) played very conservative and bottled up the neutral zone a lot. If a team plays well defensively like they did, they're going to have a chance to win."

Kim Johnsson, who was obtained from the New York Rangers as part of the Eric Lindros deal, scored two goals for the Flyers.

Grant Marshall scored two power play goals and Tyler Wright added the other goal for the Blue Jackets, who were outshot 40-18.

The Flyers had to battle back from a 3-1 deficit.

Williams, who has scored three goals in his first two games, thought the Flyers deserved better than a tie, but credited the Blue Jackets.

"Columbus capitalized on their opportunities more than we did," Williams said. "Being down two goals in the final period was definitely a gut check to show what the team is all about. We're not going to shy away from anybody."

Philadelphia goaltender Roman Cechmanek preserved the tie with 2:15 left in the third period when he made a sprawling save on Kevin Dineen's shot from close range.

"Our team made a step tonight," Philadelphia coach Bill Barber said. "There are two ways your team goes when you are down 3-1 in the third period. You can stay frustrated and start cheating and playing the wrong way, or you can stay with your game plan. We did that and more. I would have my worries if we went the other way."

Columbus goaltender Ron Tugnutt had 37 saves including a crucial stop on Jeremy Roenick with 1:12 left in overtime.

"Tugnutt is rock solid," Columbus coach Dave King said. "He doesn't break, he bends. He's always in the net and covers a lot of rebounds. We have to take the same attitude up front."

King believes the Flyers' relentless pressure in the third period, when they outshot Columbus 13-4, kept his team off balance.

"We played so much in our own zone and didn't make strong plays with the puck," he said. "We ended up hanging in and hanging on."

Marshall put the Blue Jackets ahead 1-0 when he wristed a shot from the right circle at 12:27 of the first period.

Johnsson tied it at 16:35 of the period with a slap shot from the top of the right circle.

Columbus' Wright made it 2-1 at 17:37 of the second period when he dug the puck out from behind the goal and stuffed a wraparound shot past Cechmanek.

Marshall increased the Columbus lead by scoring off a rebound at 1:11 of the third period. Johnsson pulled the Flyers closer 2:22 later with a one-timer from the right point.

The Flyers missed scoring opportunities in the second period when Chris Therien and Paul Ranheim hit posts with shots.

Game notes:
Philadelphia played without center Jiri Dopita (sprained knee) and right wing Pavel Brendl (sprained ankle), who were injured in a 5-2 win over Florida on Thursday. ... Tugnutt has 77 saves in his first two games. ... The Blue Jackets had been blanked on their first five power plays of the season before Marshall scored twice with the man advantage. ... The Flyers won in Columbus, 5-4, last year in the only previous meeting between the two teams.

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Author: 6 - ABC, Action News