Noah Cates Nets Overtime Winner as Flyers Edge Wild 2-1

Noah Cates scored just 2:36 into overtime to lift the Philadelphia Flyers to a 2-1 victory over the Minnesota Wild on Saturday night, marking their second win of the season.

Goaltender Dan Vladar made 15 saves and remains unbeaten in net for the Flyers through five games, strengthening his case as the team’s top option over Samuel Ersson.

The Flyers came out energized in the third game of their four-game homestand, igniting the crowd early with a spirited fight between Nicolas Deslauriers and Marcus Foligno. After a heated exchange that ended in a draw, Deslauriers—sporting a cut and reddened cheek—pumped up the home fans with a dramatic gesture on his way to the penalty box.

Philadelphia’s persistence paid off in the extra frame, as Cates sealed the win by slipping the puck past Jesper Wallstedt, sending the remaining fans at Wells Fargo Center home happy.

Minnesota struck first early in the second period when Vladimir Tarasenko beat Vladar for a 1-0 lead. The Wild had managed just three shots in the opening period, coming off a 5-1 loss the previous night in Washington.

Owen Tippett tied the game for the Flyers early in the third with a creative backhanded shot from behind the net that bounced off Wallstedt’s left pad and in, setting the stage for Cates’ overtime heroics.