Emotional night ends in disappointing loss for Flyers

The Flyers tried to win one Sunday for Oskar Lindblom, awed by the well wishes of fans, teammates and even the opposition, all appreciative of the example he set battling cancer.

But in this crazy season the Flyers can count on only one thing – disappointment. And so it was, defenseman Travis Sanheim erasing a stellar game in rugged support of Lindblom with an own-goal 2:23 into overtime to hand the New York Islanders a 1-0 decision.

Devastated, Sanheim still showed up at the videoconference to man-up one more time for Lindblom, who was all but overcome with emotion on Hockey Fights Cancer night at

Wells Fargo Center.

“Obviously, a special night tonight, and part of the reason we had so much jump,” said Sanheim, who played a season-high 24 minutes with five shots on goal. “I was able to join the rush and create some looks. Unfortunately, I couldn’t capitalize and ended up scoring in my own net.”

Sanheim blocked a couple of shots and supplied a hit for the Flyers, who are all but out of the playoff chase, having won just eight of their last 25 games. The ending will haunt him, as Nick Eddy was trying to center the puck in the extra session. Sanheim’s poke-check sent the puck between the legs of Brian Elliott, who stopped 27 shots.

“A combination of a bad break and (Kevin Hayes) makes a bad pass where we loose control of the puck,” Alain Vigneault said. “It’s too bad for Travis and Brian. Moose played real good. Travis played one of his best games as far as being in control and skating well. And unfortunately, the puck went off his stick while he was trying to break up the play.”

Like Lindblom, Sanheim has a chance to fight his way back into the light. But first, a Flyers team that Vigneault says has been “running on fumes” gets a three-day rest. Thankfully, they won’t have to face Ilya Sorokin the rest of the season. Sorokin stopped 30 almost exclusively tough shots for an Islanders team that had gone eight full periods without a goal until the miscue Sunday.

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Lindblom took a solo pregame lap around the Wells

Fargo Center ice and during the game, was serenaded by fans, teammates and opponents.

“A lot of emotions just to be able to play this game again,” Lindblom said. “Playing in the NHL is the best thing in the world. I was emotional. I didn’t expect to react like that. I was trying to focus on the game but it was tough. It’s been a tough year. It’s been tough more than a year. To be able to be out there with this team is so amazing.”

Lindblom is a survivor of Ewing’s sarcoma, a challenge that brought new meaning to his life.

“Something I envy about Oskar is just how he goes about business day to day,” Joel Farabee said. “He’s always got a smile on his face. Good or bad days, he’s always the same person. It’s something I admire about him. He’s such a great teammate. And he’s going to be a great leader one day for us.”

The Flyers presented Lindblom’s jersey to Gregg Lomazoff, who attended the game with his parents Howard and Lynn, from Cherry Hill, N.J.

Lomazoff’s brother, who succumbed to cancer, was inspired by Lindblom’s fearless battle. The attachment was chronicled in an emotional letter Lomazoff sent to Lindblom through the Flyers.

Tony Campisi, a 17-year-old hockey player, was honorary coach, and he introduced the starting lineup via videoconference. Campisi is fighting the disease for a second time.

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The Flyers didn’t shed much new light on the lower body injury to goalie Carter Hart, a surprise scratch Saturday.

Vigneault turned to backup goalie Alex Lyon, who was shelled by the Capitals in a 5-3 setback.

“They’re going to keep him off the ice until Tuesday,” Vigneault said. “That’s my understanding. I’m not sure if it’s going to change. But obviously he’s being evaluated here on a daily basis.”

Forwards Noland Patrick (head) and Tanner Laczynski (lower body) skated Sunday, according to Vigneault but are out indefinitely.

“We’ll know more in the next couple of days,” Vigneault said.

Early in the third period, Flyers forward Travis Konecny absorbed a blast with his thigh, sending him hobbling to the sideline.

Konecny returned to action.