Leino's overtime goal sends flyers past Sabres in game 7

BUFFALO (AP) — goaltender Brian Boucher (FSY) had his second chance. Chris Pronger presence (FSY) provided a boost inspiring. And thanks to Ville Leino (FSY), the Philadelphia Flyers made this return stand against the Buffalo Sabres. By Kevin Hoffman, US Presswire

Downtown flyers Danny Briere (48), occupying the puck ice as right wing Brad Boyes of Sabres continues, scored twice as Philadelphia rallied to win 5-4 overtime at Buffalo.

By Kevin Hoffman, US Presswire

Downtown flyers Danny Briere (48), occupying the puck ice as right wing Brad Boyes of Sabres continues, scored twice as Philadelphia rallied to win 5-4 overtime at Buffalo.

On the verge of elimination and flyers support the latest in a string of goalkeeper scrambles, Boucher stopped 24 shots in a further effort of relief and Leino covered return of two Philadelphia scoring 4 goals: 43 into overtime to win 5-4 on Sunday to force game 7 playoff series in the first round.The tiebreaker is in Philadelphia on Tuesday to close what has been a strongly contested and topsy-turvy, in which five of the six games was won by one goal. "I've been through some pretty wild and crazy games through my career, "said Danny Brière, former Sabres co-captain who scored twice against his former team. "And today was one of them, the roller coaster ride that was. My heart skipped a few beats definitely today. "He wasn't the only one.Michael Leighton (FSY) became the third flyers goaltender to start a game of this series, before becoming the third goalkeeper of leaflets to be yanked after allowing three goals in the first seven shots he faced.Type Boucher, who made up for his terrible performance in an overtime loss, 4-3 on Friday, in which he allowed three goals on 11 shots.And unlike what happened in game 5, the flyers rallied from a 3-0 deficit before faltering, Leino sealed this victory during a scramble in front.Kris Versteeg (FSY) helped set it up. After getting his first shot blocked, Versteeg won the rebound and flipped the puck in the Sabres net it bouncing several players. Puck fell at the crease where Leino — a step ahead of Defender Chris Butler (FSY) — He slid at the open side behind diving goalie Ryan Miller (FSY).Scott Hartnell (FSY) had a goal and assist, and James van Riemsdyk (FSY) also scored for the flyers, who rebounded after two losses.

Series tied 3-3.

Game 1: Buffalo 1, Philadelphia 0

Game 2: Philadelphia 5, Buffalo 4

Game 3: Philadelphia 4, Buffalo 2

Game 4: Buffalo 1, Philadelphia 0

Game 5: Buffalo 4, Philadelphia 3 (OT)

Sunday: Philadelphia 5, Buffalo 4 (OT)

Wednesday: in Philadelphia, 7: 30 p.m.

Now is the time the Sabres to jump backwards in an era in which they have already been counted out before. After a terrible year and after losing the top-line Center Derek Roy (FSY) to a leg injury in December, Buffalo responded going 29-11-6 in their final 46 games to clinch a playoff spot in their second to last game of the season. "We haven't done this in the easiest way, and we're not going to bail out now, '' Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said that. "We have to win the next one."Buffalo will have to do it less center Tim Connolly (FSY), which has already been ruled out of game 7 after being shaken up in the second half, when he was thrust head first into the boards by the Flyers Captain Mike Richards (FSY). Richards was penalized for boarding.The good news is that the Sabres have Roy back.Thomas Vanek (FSY) scored twice for Buffalo, while Rob Niedermayer and Nathan Gerbe (FSY) also scored for the Sabres.You will not get a team out when the season on the line, "said Miller, who stopped 44 shots. "We have to push back."Buffalo became the first team to lose a game after scoring first.The Flyers have an impulse — and not much else — in Pronger's first game after missing 21 since having surgery to repair a broken right hand.Pronger didn't get his first stint until 10: 05 into the game and the Sabres ahead 2-0. Pronger also had a sharp undisciplined penalty while the flyers had a two-man advantage. After being crosschecked behind by Tyler Myers (FSY) in front of the Sabres net, Pronger turned around and ripped Buffalo Defender.He finished with 4: 43 ice time and confined exclusively to the game of power. "My back is a bit painful to sit on the bench, "Pronger said, joking.What impressed him was solving his companions ".We've been through a lot of ups and downs and adversity and we always seem to come in the clutch, "Pronger said. "What happened today."The turnaround began once Boucher took over at the beginning of the second period. Van Riemsdyk and Brière scored 1: 54 apart to tie the game at 3. Gerbe responded by scoring with 3: 51 left on a shot deflected beam from Sean O'Donnell (FSY).Hartnell forced overtime by scoring at 10: 43 mark of a frenetic third period in which the flyers outshot the Sabres 14-6. Nikolai Zherdev (FSY) started playing for directing the right side and receiving a shot off Miller stopped. Mike Richards got the loose puck and fed throughout her left for Hartnell, who played it on the open side.Notes: The flyers never had three goaltenders start a playoff series. The Canucks were the last team to get three, against Calgary in 2004. ... Ruff became the eighth person NHL coaching his 100th playoff game with the same team. His record fell to 57-43. ... Ruff went with veteran journeyman forward experience by inserting Matt Ellis (FSY) programming to replace Jason Pominville (FSY), top Sabres bidirectional sends that hurt his left leg on Friday. ... Pominville wore a short boot covering his left leg and walked with crutches.

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