Referee deflection helps Wild pull away from Flyers

The Minnesota Wild defeated the Philadelphia Flyers 4-2 in Philadelphia on November 3, extending their point streak to six games. Matt Boldy scored once and assisted on another goal, while Joel Eriksson Ek delivered the eventual winner.

Minnesota took a 2-0 lead with two goals 31 seconds apart in the first period. Boldy opened the scoring from the high slot, then Michael McCarron converted after a pass deflected off Porter Martone’s skate and reached him.

At the start of the second period, a clearing attempt by Philadelphia’s Jamie Drysdale struck referee Kyle Rehman. The deflection created a two-on-one for Minnesota, and Boldy set up Eriksson Ek to make it 3-0. Flyers forward Trevor Zegras yelled at Rehman and received a 10-minute misconduct.

Philadelphia cut the deficit to one with goals from Tyson Foerster and Denver Barkey, who scored on a power play. Danila Yurov sealed the win with an empty-net goal. Wild goaltender Jesper Wallstedt stopped 23 shots. Minnesota has won five consecutive road games, and Minnesota’s combination of Kirill Kaprizov, Eriksson Ek and Boldy has not been on the ice for an opponent’s goal in 17 games this season.

Minnesota is scheduled to host San Jose on November 6. Philadelphia begins a five-game road trip against the New York Rangers on November 5.