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Leino's late goal lifts Flyers over Nashville

Feb 4, 2011 - 5:15 AM Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) - Ville Leino scored his second goal of the game late in the third period to lift the Philadelphia Flyers to a 3-2 victory over the Nashville Predators at Wells Fargo Center.

Jeff Carter tallied a goal and two assists for the Flyers, who rebounded from Tuesday's 4-0 loss at Tampa Bay and have now won seven of their last nine games overall.

"It's about winning and losing, and as the season starts to push towards the end, if you don't compete at the level at which we did tonight, you'll find yourself in a lopsided hockey game," said Flyers coach Peter Laviolette.

Sergei Bobrovsky posted 26 saves in the victory.

Marcel Goc and Joel Ward scored for Nashville, which is winless in its last four games (0-3-1). Anders Lindback allowed three goals on 29 shots in the loss.

With the score tied 2-2, Leino's 13th of the season gave the Flyers the lead for good. From the low slot near the goal mouth, Leino gained control of the puck, spun around and lifted a backhander over Lindback's shoulder with 3:14 to play in regulation.

"That was instinct -- I turned right away and I knew there was empty space there, so I tried to get (the puck up) high," said Leino.

The Nashville netminder was pulled for the extra attacker inside the final minute, but the Flyers used several clears to hold on for the win.

In the first period, the teams traded goals only 59 seconds apart.

First, at the 10:18 mark, the Flyers took a 1-0 lead on Carter's 24th tally of the campaign. He gained control of the puck along the outer rim of the left circle and searched for an open teammate. Finally, Carter took it upon himself, skated in toward the low slot and fired home a wrister.

Less than a minute later, the scored was tied. Nashville blueliner Cody Franson skated the length of the ice, crossed the blue line and maneuvered around three Flyer defenders for a shot from the right circle. Bobrovsky made the save but failed to control the rebound before Goc punched it into the back of the cage from near the left post.

In the third period, the Flyers took a 2-1 lead on Leino's power-play goal. With Ward off for hooking, Mike Richards centered the puck from the lower right half-wall and Carter redirected it from the crease area. Carter's attempt was stopped, but Leino hacked away at the loose rebound and got it past Lindback at 6:55.

Less than four minutes later, Ward atoned for his penalty and lit the lamp for a 2-2 tie. On the power play, Shea Weber released a slap shot from the centerpoint that hit traffic in front before Ward tallied on the rebound from the low slot with 9:42 remaining in regulation.

"I thought we had a really good effort," said Nashville head coach Barry Trotz. "We came back twice and tied it up, but I thought we should have come out of here with a point."

Game Notes

Bobrovsky made 13 saves in the second period...The Flyers improved to 6-4-3 against the Western Conference this season and are now 17-7-2 at home...Both teams ended 1-for-2 on the power play...Nashville hosts Detroit on Saturday while the Flyers entertain the Dallas Stars. nd are now 17-7-2 at home...Both teams ended 1-for-2 on the power play...Nashville hosts Detroit on Saturday while the Flyers entertain the Dallas Stars.