Devils drop OT decision

The New Jersey Devils lost Game 3 in overtime 3-2 to the Philadelphia Flyers and now trail in the series two games to one.
Brian Rolston scored both of the Devils goals in defeat.
Game four is in Philadelphia on Tuesday.

Hell Raisers

1) This was a game that as I watched it,I never seemed to be comfortable with the Devils winning.
Occasionally it happens that way and even sometimes it turns out fine,but not on this night.

2) In any case,one cannot blame Martin Brodeur for the loss.
The end was nothing that he could prevent and his outstanding play in the third period was about the only reason that the Devils even saw overtime...

3) Back to the officiating.
I thought it was fair for both teams (except for the final one,more on that in a bit) but extremely overdone.
Nine Flyer penalties and six for New Jersey was well more than should have been called.
Will someone please tell these guys that no one other than their families come to see them officiate??

4) The game winner by Daniel Carcillo will not go into the box score as a power play goal,but it really was,David Clarkson was barely out of the box and the Flyers kept the puck in the Devil zone due to the chincey penalty call.
It was the type of call that you make in the game,but not when the call could be the difference in the contest.

5) The Devils almost pulled out a win that they really didn't deserve,too many errors and the Flyers controlled play for more of the game that I care to admit.
Lack of offense?Check
Too many Flyer chances inside the zone?Check
You name it,except for in goal and the Flyers get the nod.

6) 19 shots on goal?
You want to see a stat that screams loss-try 19 shots in a game that saw overtime.
No one other than Brian Rolston over three and just two combined for Zach Parise and Ilya Kovalchuk ,both from Parise.
Hideous.

7) Jacques Lemaire scratched Martin Skoula for Mark Fraser and one can argue that move more than anything cost the Devils the win.
Fraser's complete bungle of the puck behind Brodeur handed the Flyers the puck and quickly became their second goal as Mike Richards scored.
I would bet that you wont see Fraser for quite a while,if at all in the playoffs....

8) This puts the Devils back into must win territory Tuesday night.
If they are down 3-1,this is going to be a tough series to win.
However,considering that they didn't play all that well tonight and went to overtime,I am somewhat encouraged.
I have a feeling the Devils are taking Game four.....

I did see the Pirates win over the Reds yesterday and will be taking a tape of tonight's game to work,so look for a Pirate weekend post sometime tomorrow...

Photo Credit-Bruce Bennett-Getty Images