Thrashers Claim Crucial Shootout Win Over Flyers
ATLANTA (AP) -- Rob Schremp and Blake Wheeler scored for Atlanta in the shootout, giving the Thrashers a crucial 4-3 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers after squandering three leads Thursday night.
The Thrashers closed within four points of the eighth-place Buffalo Sabres in the playoff race with their second win in six days over the Eastern Conference-leading Flyers. Atlanta will face Buffalo on Saturday.
Danny Briere scored two goals, including a tying shot with 1:17 left in regulation for the Flyers, who overcame three one-goal deficits.
But goals by Schremp and Wheeler in the shootout finally gave the Thrashers a lead that couldn't be overcome. Ondrej Pavelec blocked Philadelphia's first attempt by Mike Richards, and Briere fired wide in the second round.
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