Rick Tocchet ‘won’t give up’ after Flyers OT loss

D Philadelphia Flyers After them remained unbelievers 3-2 overtime loss That put them 2-0 against the undefeated in 2 games on Monday night Carolina Hurricanes.

“We’ve been dead before, and we’ve risen from the grave,” Flyers coach Rick Touchette said. “We keep hearing we’re dead, but the guys won’t give up. So I’m proud of them.”

The Flyers had the Hurricanes on their heels to start the second game of this Eastern Conference semifinal. Jamie DrysdaleThe power-play goal 4:02 into the first period marked the first time Carolina has trailed in this year’s postseason. Sean CouturierThe stadium was stunned as Philadelphia took a 2-0 lead just 39 seconds into the game. Tocchet said the Flyers weren’t “mentally prepared” for their Game 1 loss.

“Mentally and physically, I felt we had more energy. And I think we believed we could compete with this team,” he said. “We had a sour taste after that match. We had better energy tonight.”

But Carolina pulled away from the lead early on Nick EhlersPower-play goals in the first period and then Seth JarvisThe game was tied in the third period.

In overtime, the Flyers found their groove again, making 61% of their shot attempts and scoring chances against Carolina.

“We got set again after the third. We knew we didn’t have a chance to win the way we were playing. It was just a matter of time,” Drysdale said. “I think we pushed in overtime, had a lot of good looks. But yeah, something has to be done.”

Frederic Andersen Made 15 saves in overtime, against an outstanding goaltending duel and Vladar (40 savings). He won’t have to save the Flyers’ best chance in overtime as a forward Travis Koneney An isolated opportunity badly missed.

“I should have finished it. We should have gone home with a win,” Koneni said after the game.

Taylor Hall The Hurricanes won it with 1:06 left in overtime to give them a 2-0 series lead.

“I think there’s another level of play that we can get to. We should have gone our way tonight,” Koneney said. “We’re going home to our fans now. We know what it’s like there. We’re excited.”

History is not on their side. Teams leading 2-0 in the best-of-seven playoff rounds hold an all-time series record of 363-58 (.862), including a 272-36 (.883) mark when starting as the home team. But Drysdale said that despite being in a hole, the Flyers have faith they can hang with the Hurricanes.

“I think we always believed we could play with these guys. Every regular season game, we were right there with them,” he said. “It’s unfortunate that we didn’t get away with it. Bad, of course. But we’ve got a few days here to regroup, learn from it and come home.”

Game 3 is Thursday night.