Garrison has victor in OT, Lightning top Flyers 3-2

The Philadelphia Flyers will go down in history as a participant in the NHL’s first regular season three-on-three overtime. Philadelphia got good back-pressure and coverages through the neutral zone, and also established a strong forecheck. Nobody scored, but the Flyers out-Corsi’d the Lightning 14-9 in the third period.

Less than two minutes later, the Flyers’ best offensive weapon – their power play – struck.

Tampa Bay Lightning goalie Ben Bishop (30) makes a save on a shot by Philadelphia Flyers during the first period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, October 8, 2015, in Tampa, Fla. Steve Mason stopped 29 of 32 shots in a losing effort.

The two teams were able to cram a full game’s worth of excitement in the three minutes and thirty-three seconds of overtime, pacifying any fans who did not appreciate the Flyers’ more tactical third period. Mason also erased a mistake he made in overtime with a pair of point-blank saves. I thought we played a good game. Both the team and the venue are ready for new challenges. The Lightning welcome an early battle with the Flyers, whom they have beaten in nine of the last 11 meetings. The first he robbed Claude Giroux in the first period on one of the most unconventional penalty shot saves you’ll ever see.

Overtime was nothing short of frenetic.

The Flyers have now lost eight straight games in Tampa, but instead of experiencing that usual free-falling sensation the Flyers have become accustomed to at the starts of seasons, the feeling is generally that if they continue playing this well, they’ll be a tough team. Star Tampa defenseman Victor Hedman led the Bolts with 22:59.

Philadelphia Flyers center Claude Giroux (28) loses control of the… Overall, a decent game for the Flyers’ goaltender, but definitely room for improvement. That was enough to cause Giroux to miss the net.

The Lightning took a 1-0 lead at 1:25 of the second period.

Garrison is known primarily for his rocket slap shot. It appeared at first glance that Steven Stamkos deflected the shot but subsequent looks seemed to confirm the puck went through without being touched by Stamkos. Umberger finished with two assists (one primary) and looked just as rejuvenated tonight as he did throughout preseason. An unlikely hero, Garrison scored four goals in 70 games last season.

After the goal, the Flyers gave up another slew of chances. Medvedev’s shot from the point was stopped by Bishop, but Brayden Schenn crashed the net and put home the rebound. Schenn did the scoring honors.

“I didn’t get over in time to seal off the post properly”, Mason said.

Third Period-None. Penalties-None. There was more support in the defensive end. Although the Flyers were unable to nab a go-ahead goal, it was otherwise the type of period that will make Hakstol happy. After Palat stripped Laughton of the puck, Mason came up big once again with a pad save.

At the 1:27 mark, Laughton lost a breakaway scoring chance to a desperation slash by Tyler Johnson.

The Flyers are just 19 of 51 all-time in penalty shots and scoreless in their last five attempts. Garrison’s game-winning goal at 2:17 of overtime was assisted by Killorn and Filppula.

Monday: Florida Panthers at Flyers, 7 p.m. The clubs will rematch in Philadelphia on Monday.