N.Y. Islanders: Ilya Sorokin Saves The Day

From the desk: THE LONG ISLAND NOMADS

SATURDAY

Flyers    2

Islanders 3

FINAL/SO

Ilya Sorokin Earns the Save in Closing Out His Ninth Win of the Season

After Long Island stormed the Capitals on Thursday, neighboring New Jersey failed to seize the moment against Washington losing in overtime on Friday, thus handing the Caps a two-point edge over the Isles in the East Divison standings.

On Saturday, the Isles and Flyers skated through a scoreless first session.  While on a second-period power-play Anthony Beauvillier opened the scoring at 12:01 on feeds from Jordan Eberle and Matt Martin.  Then, roughly three and a half minutes later, Beauvillier scored his second of the period (and his eighth of the season) on an assist from Mathew Barzal. 

Philly then turned the tables.  At 6:38 of the third, Claude Giroux scored unassisted, cutting Long Island's lead to one.  Then just under four minutes later, Giroux scores his second of the period (and his eleventh of the season), tying the game at two.  And that's the way it remains through the rest of regulation time.

The Islanders closed the final 0:15 second of overtime on a fruitless power play, but not before Philly goalie Carter Hart had already fulfilled the role of a thief.

In the shootout, Ilya Sorokin would outlast Carter Hart.  After three scoreless rounds, Mathew Barzal finally beat Carter for the potential winner.  Sorokin then stopped Philly's final attempt to secure the victory.  Ilya Sorokin faced 32 shots in all, making seven special team saves and 23 at even strength.  

Long Island is now 7-4 since losing Anders Lee for the season from an injury sustained on March 11 against the Devils.  That is not to suggest the Isles do not miss their Captain.  They mustered just 24 shots on goal against Philly, while their centermen accounted for only six shots and one assist.

Trotz's Troop nonetheless gain two points and reclaim their half-share of first place in the East.