National Hockey League
BOXSCORE | RECAP
Colorado 4, Philadelphia 3
When: 9:00 PM ET, Wednesday, December 31, 2014
Where: Pepsi Center, Denver, Colorado
Referees: Chris Rooney, Kyle Rehman
Linesmen: Mike Cvik, Darren Gibbs
Attendance: 18007

Avalanche 4, Flyers 3 (OT): Ryan O’Reilly converted a backhanded cross-slot pass from defenseman Tyson Barrie 4:40 into overtime as Colorado rallied to defeat visiting Philadelphia.

Veteran Jarome Iginla tied the game in the third period, Borna Rendulic scored his first NHL goal and defenseman Nate Guenin netted his first of the season for the Avalanche. Blue-liner Brad Stuart notched two assists and Semyon Varlamov turned aside 26 shots for Colorado, which improved to 5-2-2 in its last nine games.

Jakub Voracek netted his 15th goal, Vincent Lecavalier tallied for the fourth time in five games and captain Claude Giroux also scored for the Flyers, who dropped to 3-2-1 on their eight-game road trip. Steve Mason made 29 saves as Philadelphia lost for the seventh straight time at Colorado.

Voracek’s one-timer from the right faceoff circle during a power play 10:14 into the game opened the scoring, but former Flyer Guenin tied it at 10:47 of the second with a shot that pinballed in off Philadelphia's Pierre-Edouard Bellemare. Rendulic put the Avalanche ahead 3 1/2 minutes later, taking a pass from captain Gabriel Landeskog and hammering a shot from the high slot past a screened Mason.

Lecavalier tied the contest with a blast from above the right circle 2:52 into the third period before Giroux split the Colorado defense and beat Varlamov while on the power play at the 10-minute mark. Iginla evened things during a man advantage 2:48 later with a one-timer that beat Mason to the short side.

GAME NOTEBOOK: It was the second goal in 99 games with the Avalanche for Guenin, who played his first 12 NHL contests with the Flyers. … Philadelphia's Luke Schenn (healthy scratch) was replaced in the lineup by fellow D Michael Del Zotto, who left the game early in the first period after being cut by a skate blade before returning in the second session. … The Flyers last won at Colorado on Dec. 27, 2002.
Top Game Performances
 
Philadelphia   Colorado
Claude Giroux 1 Points Brad Stuart 2
Claude Giroux 1 Goals Nate Guenin 1
Braydon Coburn 1 Assists Brad Stuart 2
Claude Giroux 1 Power Play Goals Jarome Iginla 1
N/A Short Handed Goals N/A
Steve Mason .879 Save Percentage Semyon Varlamov .897
Steve Mason 29 Saves Semyon Varlamov 26
Team Stats Summary
 
Team Shots Goals Power Play Penalty Kill Penalty Mins Face Offs Won
Philadelphia 29 3 2-5 3-4 10 38
Colorado 33 4 1-4 3-5 12 36
Upcoming Games
  • Colorado will play their next game at home against Edmonton. The Avalanche have a W/L % of .286 after a win and .435 after a loss.
  • Philadelphia will play their next game on the road against Carolina. The Flyers have a W/L % of .500 after a win and .304 after a loss.