Deslauriers, Cates help snap four-game skid

» Nick Deslauriers is mostly a fourth-line grinder for Philadelphia and certainly not on the team to score goals. So when he does punch one in — as he did to help the Flyers snap a four-game losing streak — it’s reason to cut loose.

“The guys are pumped. It’s funny,” Deslauriers said. “When I go to touch hands, they’re all laughing, so it’s great.”

The Flyers needed a lighthearted moment in a week full of more angst for the downtrodden franchise.

Deslauriers, Noah Cates and Scott Laughton scored goals for the Philadelphia Flyers and Carter Hart stopped 24 shots in a 3-1 win over the Detroit Red Wings on Sunday night.

The victory was a needed respite from the bubbling unrest surrounding the franchise.

Flyers fans have been fed up for years — the Wells Fargo Center is no longer one of the more intimidating arenas in the NHL — and anger reached its zenith this past week when general manager Chuck Fletcher declined to make any major deals at the deadline. James van Riemsdyk and Kevin Hayes were among the high-priced veterans that weren’t moved for any kind of prospects or draft picks.

One fan Sunday stuck a paper bag on his head and held signs that read “Fire Fletcher” and “Sell the Team.” Another fan wore a homemade Flyers sweatshirt with “FIRE FLETCHER” on the front. Fletcher was even booed Saturday at an event for season-ticket holders.

The Flyers were just plucky enough against the Red Wings — a day after

Detroit lost 4-1 to the Islanders — to win for just

the second time since early February.

David Perron scored his 16th goal for the Red Wings early in the first for a 1-0 lead, and Ville Husso had 34 saves.

Deslauriers stole the puck off a sloppy pass from Jake Walman at the far blue line and streaked all alone to score his fifth goal of the

season. He put it past Husso for a short-handed goal in the second period and stretched his arms out like a plane as he skated away in celebration.

“You see the bench when he scores. They are so happy for him because of all the dirty he has to do for this team,” coach John Tortorella said.

MATT SLOCUM — THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Philadelphia Flyers’ Nicolas Deslauriers, right, and Brendan Lemieux celebrate after a goal by Deslauriers in the second period of Sunday’s 3-1victory over the Detroit Red Wings. at the Wells Fargo Center.