PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- Jeff Friesen's goal with 4:45 left lifted
the New Jersey Devils to a 2-2 tie with the Philadelphia Flyers on Tuesday night.
John Madden also scored for Atlantic Division-leading New
Jersey, which had lost three of five.
Donald Brashear had a goal and assist, and Keith Primeau also
scored for Philadelphia, which is 0-3-1 against the Devils this
season.
The Flyers are unbeaten in their last three (1-0-2) after
consecutive shutouts last week.
Roman Cechmanek stopped 34 shots for the Flyers, including two
stops on a breakaway by Michael Rupp in the final seconds and a
sprawling, belly-flopping save on a shot by Friesen during a power
play by the Devils early in the third.
Martin Brodeur made several outstanding stops among his 25
saves. He made two saves on point-blank shots by Chris Therien in
overtime, robbed Primeau with an off-balance kick save on a
backhander early in the second, and stuffed Michal Handzus later in
the second.
Friesen got the tying goal after getting the rebound off a shot
by Jamie Langenbrunner, and wristing it past Cechmanek for his 15th
goal.
Brashear gave the Flyers their first lead against the Devils in
more than 266 minutes when he lifted a shot over Brodeur, off the
right post and in for a 2-1 lead 6:34 into the second period.
Brodeur withstood a flurry of shots by the Flyers early in the
second, but couldn't control a rebound off a slap shot by Eric
Desjardins. It went right to Brashear, who scored his sixth goal
and second in two games.
The Flyers, who trail New Jersey by five points, have eight
goals in their last three games after scoring eight in their
previous nine.
Madden gave the Devils a 1-0 lead 7:09 into the game on his 14th
goal. Madden skated down the left side, took a pass from Scott
Niedermayer and one-timed it just inside the far post.
Primeau's 16th goal off a give-and-go pass from Brashear tied it
at 1 less than five minutes later.
Game notes
The Flyers had lost four straight to New Jersey, including
three 1-0 losses. ... Cechmanek has started nine of the last 10
games. ... New Jersey's 27 power-play goals are the fewest in the
league. They went 0-for-3 with the man-advantage. ... Brashear's
goal was his second in 18 games against New Jersey. It was his
first two-point performance since last Oct. 26. ... The Flyers were
without forwards John LeClair (shoulder), Simon Gagne (groin) and
Justin Williams (knee). ... Forwards Turner Stevenson (knee) and
Brian Gionta (ankle) didn't play for New Jersey. ... RW Mark Recchi
played his 500th game with the Flyers. ... Devils Langenbrunner
played his 500th game in the NHL. ... Flyers LW Todd Warriner
returned after missing two games with a sprained left elbow.