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Jokinen, Panthers top hapless Flyers

Feb 24, 2008 - 4:56 AM PHILADELPHIA (Ticker) -- Captain Olli Jokinen ended his goalless drought, and in the process, extended the Philadelphia Flyers' pronounced losing streak to a franchise-record 10 games on Saturday.

Jokinen scored the game-winning goal with 76 seconds remaining in overtime after defenseman Jay Bouwmeester tallied with 3.7 seconds left in regulation as the Florida Panthers rallied to a 2-1 triumph over the reeling Flyers.

"It definitely wasn't pretty," Jokinen said. "We got a little bit lucky there, but we'll take it."

Daniel Briere scored the lone goal for Philadelphia, which fell to 0-8-2 in its last 10 games. The Flyers have not won since skating to a 3-2 triumph over the Atlanta Thrashers on February 5.

"If we play like we did tonight, I'm sure we'll get rewarded," Briere said. "If you throw 40 shots and only give up 20, you'll win on most nights."

After the game, the Flyers learned that All-Star center Mike Richards suffered a torn left hamstring in the third period. Philadelphia general manager Paul Holmgren said Richards will be sidelined at least three weeks.

"We are going to have to deal with it right now," Holmgren said. "We are in a tight spot. There is no need for us to wave a white flag, but everyone is going to have to pick it up and deal with it."

Holmgren admitted he was uncertain as to when Richards suffered the injury.

"I think it happened when he went into the net with Bouwmeester in the third period," Holmgren said.

Backup goaltender Craig Anderson made 40 saves for Florida, which improved to 2-3-2 in its last seven contests and snapped a three-game skid on the road.

"I was thinking, 'Just one time for us,'" Anderson said. "It doesn't happen too often for us. It's nice to be on the other end of it and to be on the happy side of the locker rooms."

With Florida on the power play in overtime, Jokinen gained control of the puck just inside the blue line and blasted a shot past screened netminder Antero Niittymaki for his 30th goal of the season - and first in his last six games.

"I saw an opening and their guy thought I was going for a pass," Jokinen said. "I saw a good screen and I took the shot. Sometimes you get lucky."

Briere opened the scoring with 3:42 remaining in the second period.

With Philadelphia enjoying a man advantage, Briere skated to the front of the net and wristed the puck between the pads of Anderson for his 22nd goal of the season - but just his second in 15 games.

The one-goal advantage stood up until the waning moments of the third.

Steve Montador prevented the puck from being cleared from the offensive zone at the blue line, settled it and fed fellow defenseman Bouwmeester just outside the left faceoff circle. Bouwmeester then fired it past a screened Niittymaki to level the game with less than four seconds remaining in the session.