The Flyers failed to close out the series on the Washington Capitals who got a little help from their friends. The atrocious officiating was as poor as it’s been all series. Many said that the Flyers had no business winning game 4 in Philadelphia, and on Saturday they definitely didn’t. Speaking of poor quality, the game happened to be aired on NBC where Pierre McGuire’s excruciating commentary was clearly aimed to vindicate himself NBC for Mike Milbury’s “crapitals” comment last weekend. The Fly Guys played poorly for the first two periods. They only managed 11 shots in the initial minutes and were out-hit 38-44 overall.

If the Flyers are going to win this series they’ll have to do it without the services of winger Mike Knuble. The game 4 hero left the game late in the second period when he fell awkwardly trying to block a shot. He will miss the rest of the series according to The Canadian Press.

At 7:31 of the first period the Capitals struck first when Nicklas Backstrom scored on the power play which looked nearly identical to his game 4 power play goal. The Flyers looked sluggish and unwilling to take part in the phisical aspect of the game that made them so successful throughout the series. Marty Biron played well all game making 24 saves, but really bailed out the Flyers, especially on the three power plays in the first period.

In the second, former Red Wing (and Blue Jacket…contrary to popular belief he didn’t just fall off the face of the earth) Sergei Fedorov contributed an even strength tally at 1:25 of the period. Vinny Prospal answered on the power play as he got a pretty pass from Danny Briere at 12:35.

In the third was when the game really got out of hand. Although the Flyers came out at a hasty pace to begin the final stanza, they fell short. The officiating was a monstrosity as weak calls were made against the Flyers and many plays clearly could have been called against Washington. Cristobal Huet continued his theatrics not only getting away with an uppercut to the face of Scottie Upshall, but rolled around in his crease to draw a goalie interference penalty on Upshall later.

The Flyers began to have some momentum working their way when Alexander Semin scored on the last of the Capitals 3 power plays in the third at 14:33. With time running out it seemed that the 3-1 score was the final nail in the coffin but an unlikely goal scorer notched one for the Flyers before it was all said and done. Former captain Derian Hatcher ripped a snap shot through the five hole of Huet at 15:17 to make it once again a one-goal game.

The Flyers were out-shot until the third period when they went on a bit of a run. They eventually ended up out-shooting Washington 32-26. Their frustration really showed for the club in the third when their rushes were continually getting broken up and no calls were going their way. But where were the orange and black in the first and second periods? With the effort clearly invisible for the first 40 minutes the Flyers can’t expect to win when they’re out-hit and not winning battles for the puck. Look for the Flyers to end this series on Monday night when they come out hitting hard early. Although obviously it is unfortunate the Flyers couldn’t pull out the series clinching win, it gives us one more game to look at the great match-up of Mike Richards and Alex Ovechkin.

Dave’s 3 Stars of the Game

1. Alexander Semin - 1 goal 1 assist
2. Sergei Fedorov - 1 goal 1 assist
3. Vaclav Prospal - 1 goal 1 assist