Flyers break their 3 game losing streak by beating the Islanders last night 5-2 at the Wachovia Center.

The Flyers really needed this win and the effort on the ice was outstanding. Mike Richards picks up his first NHL hat trick with a shorthanded goal in the first period, a goal in the second period and an empty net/shorthanded goal in the third. Richards is the first Flyers rookie to score a hat trick since Mikael Renberg did in San Jose on February 15, 1994.
The Flyers were aggressive on their forcheck, they won the battle along the boards and they hit. This is the type of play needed by the Flyers to win with almost half of the team injured, high energy, and aggressive, desperate hockey. R.J. Umberger picked up a power play goal in the first period and Jeff Carter a power play goal in the second. Before Umberger’s power play goal the Flyers were 0-23 on the power play over the last 5 games.

If there was one negative about the game it had to be giving up 2 power play goals in 7 chances. But that is minor considering the two shorthanded goals and the Flyers own power play goals.

Robert Esche was good in goal and got his second point of the season off of Jeff Carter’s goal.
Ryan Ready was called up from the Phantoms. Ready made his debut with the Flyers back on November 29 only to leave the game after 3 minutes of ice time with a groin injury. Ready faired better this time around with almost 12 minutes of ice time and earned his first NHL point.
Stefan Ruzicka made his NHL debut with a hooking call and a trip to the penalty box on his first shift.
Eric Desjardins returned to the lineup after being out since December 7 with a shoulder injury. Desjardins was the top Flyer for ice time at 28:41, he also picked up a point on the last goal.
Simon Gagne was a late scratch, he had the stomach flu.
Petr Nedved left in the third period when he aggravated a groin injury. I am surprised he made it that far. So many times this year Flyers players have come back from groin injury only to injure it again that game.
Michal Handzus played last night with a bruised foot. Handzus has played in 254 straight games, the fifth longest active streak.

Stars for the game were Mike Richards, R.J. Umberger and Jeff Carter.
Two games left before the Olympic break.