Sabres beat flyers in OT, take 3-2 series lead

Philadelphia (AP) — The Flyers had the return of agitation. By Barbara Johnston, US Presswire

Tyler Ennis celebrates the Sabres behind the net after scoring the winning goal in overtime in game 5 of their playoff series against the flyers. Buffalo won 4-3.

By Barbara Johnston, US Presswire

Tyler Ennis celebrates the Sabres behind the net after scoring the winning goal in overtime in game 5 of their playoff series against the flyers. Buffalo won 4-3.

The Sabres have the victory — and shot at winning the playoff series at home.Tyler Ennis (FSY) scored off a rebound 2: 31 into overtime Friday night to give Buffalo a 4-3 victory over flyers and a 3-2 in the first round.Mike Webber set up the winner when he fired a Slapper assaulted cushion Michael Leighton (FSY). Ennis flew from right side and scored his second goal of the game. The Sabres survived after blowing a 3-0 lead and can advance to the semifinals of the Eastern Conference with a victory in game 6 on Sunday at Buffalo. "All I know is that I wanted to score the winner, "Ennis said. "I just wanted to be the guy who finished it".Ennis opened the scoring in the first period, and Thomas Vanek and Marc-André Gragnani (FSY) also featured in the starting period to chase goalie Brian Boucher Flyers (FSY). Leighton, who led the flyers to the Stanley Cup Final a year ago, was flawless until overtime.James van Riemsdyk (FSY), Andrej Meszaros (FSY) and Danny Briere scored for the flyers, The Flyers No. 2 seed in the East, Jeff Carter (FSY) and Chris Pronger (FSY) and are in their third goalkeeper in the series. His biggest problem could come Sunday where the Sabres are about to send the defending Eastern Conference champions home for the season.Ryan Miller (FSY) made 36 saves for Buffalo. Staked the early advantage, seemed about to passengers. Miller has two WINS 1-0 in the series and appeared to play again the flyers. Not for long.After van Riemsdyk and Meszaros scored in the second, Briere tied him to his former team when his backhander off a behind-the-network power Mike Richards (FSY), tied at 3. The rally ended there.

Series tied 2-2.

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: At Buffalo, 3 (NBC)

x-Wednesday: at Philadelphia, 7: 30 p.m.

x-if necessary.

Ennis hit the winner past Leighton, who made only his second appearance for passengers this season. "" This is definitely a great place to play, "said Ennis.Any time you can silence the crowd like that, it's an incredible feeling. "Stuck in a 3-0 hole, the flyers felt at home.After all, last season they trailed Boston 3-0 in the Eastern Conference semifinals and won the series. The Flyers won Game 7 after trailing 3-0. "You cannot hang our heads, "said Briere. "We were in a worse situation than last year, so if there is a group of guys who can do it, I believe this group here."As game 7 last year in Boston, van Riemsdyk, who struck first.With Miller a few meters in front of the crease, JVR punched the puck into the empty net to end streak of shutout of Miller Meszaros burned, then a section lining to make it 3-2. Flyers fans stuck outside the derisory "Miller! Chants Miller! ". The flyers outshot the Sabres 15-5 in the second and appeared in control.Hard to believe, taking into account the damage inflicted in the first Buffalo.For the second time in the series, the Sabres chased goalie Flyers after a 3-0 advantage. In game 2, was the rookie Sergei Bobrovsky (FSY). On Friday, Boucher was yanked after allowing three goals on 11 shots.Leighton received the call, capping an improbable rides of any passenger. He started for the flyers in the Stanley Cup finals, signed a two year contract in the summer, then hurt his back and spent only a minor game.Leighton played his first game in Philadelphia since a beginning of Jan for the Adirondack phantoms, the flyers AHL affiliate.Improbably, he likely will start game 6. Boucher allowed two soft goals most of the season just 1: 27 apart early in the first. Ennis and Vanek scored after Boucher let pucks knock off his leg and on the network.Gragnani banked the puck off the post past a Boucher surprised in a power play for a 3-0 at the end of the first and the Sabres were clearly in control."Booooosh!" cheer that sounded so sweet in game 2 certainly had a different spin with the "sh" overthrown.This was all to Boucher. Boucher knew that blew shot to stay as the No. 1 goalkeeper. He ripped a row of sticks with his stick of goalie sticks, kicked and threw his helmet into the tunnel leading to the locker room. "I would like very much to redeem me, "said Boucher. "As I said, it was my responsibility tonight. I take on that. To put his team in a hole like this, that does not deserve that. "Leighton stopped the final 18 shots in regulation and he still can relieve the leaflets again in the playoffs.As usual, coach Peter Laviolette refused to tip his hand.The flyers played without winger Carter and defensman Pronger. Carter was knocked out of game 4 after he hurt his right knee in a collision, and Pronger, who appeared near a return, is still out with a broken right hand.The Sabres lost forward Jason Pominville (FSY) and defenseman Jordan Leopold (FSY) in the first period.Pominville, who scored the only goal in game 4, knocked down his stick and helmet and jumped into his leg right off the ice. He appeared to get cut on the back of his leg after a collision in the corner of Sabres zone. "It doesn't look too good for him, "said coach Lindy Ruff. "We'll know more about that tomorrow."Leopold, that returned, appeared to get through his chin and was dividing the blood on the bench.In the postseason, a victory always helps make up for injury. "This puts a smile on your face as a coach, "said Ruff.Notes: Leighton won his only start for passengers this season. ... A puck broke a pane of glass during heating.