Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) - David Laliberte's first NHL game was a memorable one, as the rookie tallied a goal and an assist in Philadelphia's 6-1 win over Carolina at Wachovia Center.
Flyers Roll in 6-1 Win over Hurricanes
Laliberte was recalled from the AHL on Friday to replace the injured Daniel Briere, and he registered his first career goal early in the first period before adding an assist in the second. Braydon Coburn contributed two goals, while Scott Hartnell and Matt Carle each had a goal and two assists in the win. James van Riemsdyk added a goal and an assist for the Flyers, who finished October at 6-4-1.
Ray Emery beat the Hurricanes for the second time this season by making 39 saves. Philadelphia's netminder posted a shutout on the road in his debut at Raleigh on October 2.
Brandon Sutter scored the only goal for Carolina, which has lost eight straight games, the longest skid for the club since January 8-22, 2003. Should the Hurricanes lose their next contest, it would match a franchise record, set when the team played in Hartford during the 1982-83 season.
“I thought we had a pretty good start to the game,” Sutter said. “Obviously, six goals against isn’t going to win you many games. Hopefully, we can turn it around.”
Michael Leighton allowed six goals on 28 shots to take the loss.
After killing off two early penalties, the Flyers went in front with a power play goal. Chris Pronger took a quick wrist shot from the point, and it deflected off Hartnell, who was stationed in front of the goaltender, and into the back of the net at 8:04 of the first period.
“Every day, we practice shots from the point and tipping them,” Hartnell said. “You just try to be there in front of the net as long as possible. It’s usually Pronger shooting them.”
Just 4 1/2 minutes later, the newest player for Philadelphia scored his first career goal. Ryan Parent sent in a shot from the point, hitting Leighton right in the chest. The puck bounced off to the side, where Laliberte fired a shot from a wide angle into the top right corner for a 2-0 lead.
The Flyers scored again with 2:39 left in the opening period on Carle’s wrap- around shot for a commanding three-goal lead.
“That was huge for us (to get the 3-0 lead), establishing ourselves offensively,” Carle said. “It was good for our team confidence.”
Carolina got on the board early in the second period on Sutter’s one-timer from the left circle, but van Riemsdyk’s backhand flip got past Leighton 14 seconds later for a 4-1 Flyers lead.
Coburn’s goal off a van Riemsdyk shot at the 8:08 mark of the third extended the lead to four, and Coburn scored again on a blistering slapshot from the point 90 seconds later to account for the final margin.
It was the Flyers' most convincing victory on Halloween since a 9-1 rout of the Minnesota North Stars on October 31, 1976 at the Spectrum....Coburn notched his first career two-goal game...Carolina's next game is Sunday at home against San Jose, which has won four in a row...Forward Blair Betts played for the Flyers for the first time since dislocating his shoulder three weeks ago against Washington. Parent also returned from a groin injury...Carolina's Tuomo Ruutu served the last of his three-game suspension...Sutter ended a 46-game goal-less drought with his score.
-- Recap via Sports Network
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