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  Wednesday, Mar. 8 7:30pm ET
Desjardins delivers for Flyers in OT
 
  RECAP | BOX SCORE

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) -- Bad call or not, the Philadelphia Flyers will take the extra point.

Eric Desjardins scored a power-play goal with 71 seconds left in overtime as the Flyers beat the lowly Tampa Bay Lightning 3-2 Wednesday night.
Jody Hull,  Dan Cloutier
Philadelphia's Jody Hull can't find any room around Tampa Bay goalie Dan Cloutier.
"We were patient, we took our time and had a few chances before the goal," Desjardins said. "It doesn't matter who you play, or who you come back against, it feels good."

Desjardins scored on a one-timer from the slot with Robert Petrovicky in the penalty box for hooking. Petrovicky was sent off at 2:59 after he pulled down Mark Eaton as they chased after a loose puck.

"I'd like to know what the difference is with that call and (Mike) Johnson being upended with 15 seconds to go at the end of the second in front of the net," Lightning coach Steve Ludzik said. "His stick goes flying, his legs get ripped from under him. I don't understand the difference to be honest with you. That's as much as I can say."

Eric Lindros and John LeClair scored second-period goals as the Flyers moved within six points of Atlantic Division-leading New Jersey.

"We need the points," Desjardins said. "You never know what can happen. If we win our games, good things can happen for us."

The Lightning, who have dropped five straight, received a standing ovation from the crowd of 17,004 after dominating the first-period and taking a 2-0 lead on goals by Mike Sillinger and Chris Gratton.

At game's end, fans pelted with the ice with debris in response to the penalty call by referee Kevin Maguire and the eventual game-winning goal by Desjardins.

"I told the guys before the game you can't worry about luck," Ludzik said. "It came down to luck."

The Flyers' physical play changed the momentum as goals by Lindros and LeClair tied it after two periods.

Sillinger scored his 19th goal on Tampa Bay's first shot at 33 seconds of the first period. The Lightning, who outshot the Flyers 9-1 over the game's first 11 minutes, also got a power-play goal from Gratton with 4:34 remaining.

"We just weren't alert," Flyers coach Craig Ramsey said. "They got that goal right off the bat and it really set us on our heals."

It was just the 12th time Tampa Bay led after one period.

Philadelphia's league-leading power-play unit converted with Lindros' 26th goal at 7:43 of the second. LeClair's 34th goal tied it with just 4.8 seconds left.

LeClair has 26 goals and 42 points in 35 career games against Tampa Bay. Mark Recchi, the NHL's assist leader with 55, set up all three Flyers goals. He has six assists in three games.

Tampa Bay defenseman Jassen Cullimore left the game in the second period with dizziness and did not return.
 


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