The Philadelphia Flyers came out swinging in their home opener against the play-off caliber Washington Capitals in what boiled down to a shoot out between Alex Ovechikin and Flyers captain Mike Richards. Richards won, propelling his team to a 6-5 in overtime. The Flyers left with a 3-0-0 record and a hat trick for Richards. The Caps left with a disappointing loss and continued goaltender uncertainty between Jose Theodore and youngster Simeon Varlemov who shined in last years playoffs. The flyers scored four goals in the second, chasing Varlemov from the net. “The atmosphere was awesome,” said long time Flyers fan and season ticket holder Ryan Myers, “Early in the game it was clear that both teams’ hockey sense had matured. In previous years, when both teams were younger, they came out as pure energy; they were all go, go, go. Last night, there was a noticeable change in style and pace and a hint of tentativeness in the early period but both teams found their form in the 2^nd.

The first period showcased the talents of Varlamov and Ray Emery, who continues to prove himself game by game with quick post to post movements and even quicker reflexes. Both goalies made difficult saves, stone walling enough opportunities to baffle forwards on both ends. The Flyers penalty kill, which would come up huge in the beginning of over time, stoned a Caps power play that had been operating at above a 33% success rate.

The flood gates opened in the second period with both teams combining for seven goals. Mike Richards opened the scoring early off of a brilliant pass from defenseman Matt Carle on the powerplay. While the crowd was still celebrating the go ahead goal, the persistent Ovechkin reminded everyone why he is one of the best in the world. Ovie “capitalized” on one of a few turnovers by the Flyers defense and ripped a wrist shot past Ray Emery to tie the game. From here out it was the Richards and Ovechkin show, with guest appearances by the dynamic duo of Alexander Semin and Niklas Backstrom-who are 2^nd and 3^rd in overall points to Ovechkins already league leading 9 and the lovably hairy Scott Hartnell. The remainder of the second period saw a lapse in the defenses of both teams as the lead was achieved and subsequently lost a total of 7 times. The period was capped off (pun intended) when Richards scored his third of period and recorded only his second ever hat trick.

The Flyers escaped to the dressing room with a less than comfortable 4-3 lead heading into the third stanza. Although appreciation rained down from the fans, Flyers head coach John Stevens would have liked his team to be in better control. “We don’t want to get involved in a track meet with the Pittsburghs [Penguins] and the Washingtons of the world,” said Stevens. “I think we’re built just a little bit differently, but we do have an exciting offensive team and I think you saw that.

The third period began with raucous overconfidence by fans which may have transferred down to ice level as the Capitals controlled much of the early period play and finally took advantage of hooking penalty to Jeff Carter. Semin scored his second of the night with a nice deflection that Emery had little chance of stopping. Less than a minute later Emery failed to control a rebound off of a Matt Bradley wrist shot that then deflected off of Brendan Morrison’s skate and into the open net. The Caps continued to press in the third effectively, if only temporarily, quieting the Flyers faithful but frustration soon turned to furious jubilation as continued pressure by the Flyers led to a Scott Hartnell goal with just over 4 minutes remaining in regulation. The goal brought the fans back to life and to their feet where they remained. Both goalies turned away big shots in the closing minutes and the flyers were able to kill off the first half a last minute penalty to top defense Kimmo Timonen.

On to overtime, every hockey fans torment. Nervousness and excitement collide in sudden death and last night was no exception. The Flyers, still killing off the late penalty to Timonen rose to the occasion and blocked a number of shots and Emery came up huge once again to allow the Fly guys to get back to even strength. As penalty kills often do, this one gave the Flyers a much needed push to close out the contest and with the 19,000 plus still mostly in attendance and all still standing, birthday boy Danny Briere lifted a shot over a sprawling Theodore at the 3:52 mark of overtime.

If you got the chance to watch the game you were in for a treat; a gem if you were there in person. The penalty kill looked crisp and Emery is continuing to prove he belongs in the NHL and deserves the top spot. The defense although shaky at times blocked countless shots and contributed some necessary offense as Matt Carle recorded 4 assists on the evening. Regardless of the outcome this game was a phenomenal home opener and sets up what should prove to be a highly competitive and definitely entertaining season series between two of the elite teams in the east, but it sure was nice to see Richards take care of business and outshine Ovechkin!   Notes: Two new Flyers suffered minor injuries with Blair Betts dislocating his shoulder and hometown rookie James Van Riemsdyk suffering, possibly, a minor concussion. Betts will likely miss a month while VanRiemsdyk will be re-evaluated later in the week; Three stars selection, Briere (3), Ovechkin (2) Richards (1).