FLYERS ALL-STAR JEFF CARTER

The Flyers went into the NHL All-Star break with a 25-12-9 record and 59 points in the Atlantic Division after a 5-3 win over the Atlanta Thrashers.  Goalie Antero Niittymaki improved to 12-0-0 lifetime against Atlanta despite a shaky third period that saw the Thrashers tie it at three.  However less than two minutes after it was tied, Mike Knuble slammed home his own rebound to put the Flyers ahead to  stay.  Later, he added an empty-netter and goes into the break third on the team with 18 goals.

“Mike [Richards] slipped it through the crowd, I just tried to get it on goal and it popped right back to my stick,” Knuble said of the game-winning goal.  “It was one of those right place, right time.”

Scott Hartnell opened the scoring with his 17th goal of the year.  Jeff Carter, the teams only All-Star, got the lone assist, the first of two on the night.  Carter – who will play in his first All-Star Game Sunday in Montreal – enters the break leading the team in goals (30) and points (51).

“I’m definitely honored to be representing the Flyers,” said Carter, who is second in the league in goals scored.  “There are three or four guys in this room that could’ve gone.”

Darroll Powe got the second goal with just over two minutes left in the first period.  In hindsight, defenseman Randy Jones first tally of the season early in the second period was a key goal because of the Thrashers comeback.

After Atlanta tied it, Flyers head coach John Stevens used his timeout to refocus his team. “To see a three goal lead evaporate like that going into the [All-Star] break was the last thing we wanted to see,” he said.  “I’m thankful that we stepped up, came right back, scored a goal and are heading into the break on a winning note.”

The win continues the Flyers dominance over the Thrashers; this season they’ve outscored them 16-6 in three games.  All-time, they own a gaudy 28-3-3-1 record against Atlanta including a 14-1-2-1 record at the Wachovia Center. At home this season, the Flyers are fourth best in the Eastern Conference having earned 33 points with a 15-5-3 mark. The Flyers are sixth in the Eastern Conference and open the second half with three games in a row on the road all against teams who are outside of the playoffs going into the break (Florida, Tampa Bay and St. Louis).

“When you have a couple days off it’s a good break,” Niittymaki said, “especially mentally.  You have to make sure you physically take care of yourself and be ready when we come back.”