Flyers Use Late Surge for Victory

BUFFALO, N.Y — Just as the Buffalo Sabres were ready to forget about Dominik Hasek’s suspension, Shjon Podein reminded them with a shot between Steve Shields’ pads.

Podein scored with 48 seconds left in the third period as the Philadelphia Flyers overcame a two-goal deficit to beat the Sabres, 5-3, Saturday night in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals.

Podein scored the game-winner after Trent Klatt poked the puck loose behind the Buffalo net. Podein grabbed control and stuffed it past Shields as the Sabres goalie moved across the crease.

“[Klatt] did all the work behind the net,” Podein said. “He held off two guys at the same time. I just kind of jammed it home.”

Rod Brind’Amour tied the game midway through the third period and completed the scoring on an empty-netter with six seconds left.

Shields, who replaced an injured Hasek in the Ottawa series and helped the Sabres outlast the upstart Senators, is playing while Hasek serves a three-game suspension for attacking a reporter last week. Shields had 42 saves.

“I felt like I was playing well,” Shields said. “I saw the puck well. We just got caught off [guard] by our mistakes.”

The game was stopped for about 15 minutes with 2:55 left in the second period following a scuffle in front of the Philadelphia net. It ended with players on the ice matched up while Flyers goalie Garth Snow and Shields traded words in the Flyers’ zone and punches near the Sabres’ bench.

Michal Grosek, Brad May and Donald Audette had Buffalo’s goals. Dan Kordic and Mikael Renberg also scored for the Flyers. Snow had 29 saves.