Noah Cates scores OT winner to lift Flyers past Ducks, 3-2

Cates' deflection goal came after Anaheim's Leo Carlsson forced overtime with late regulation tally.

Mar. 19, 2026 at 10:00am

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Noah Cates scored on a deflection off the goalie's skate 2:17 into overtime to give the Philadelphia Flyers a 3-2 victory over the Anaheim Ducks on Wednesday night. The Ducks had forced overtime on Leo Carlsson's goal with 1:54 left in regulation. Dan Vladar made 34 saves for the Flyers, who are six points behind Boston and Detroit for the two Eastern Conference wild-card spots.

Why it matters

The win keeps the Flyers' slim playoff hopes alive as they continue to chase a wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference. For the Ducks, the overtime loss comes despite a late rally to force the extra period.

The details

Luke Glendening and Owen Tippett scored in regulation for the Flyers, while Cutter Gauthier tallied for the Ducks. Anaheim goalie Lukas Dostal stopped 24 shots. The Ducks were playing without defenseman Radko Gudas, who is serving a five-game suspension.

  • Cates scored the overtime winner at 2:17 of the extra period.
  • Carlsson tied the game for Anaheim with 1:54 left in regulation.
  • Glendening opened the scoring for the Flyers at 2:50 of the first period.
  • Tippett made it 2-0 Philadelphia at 7:53 of the second period.
  • Gauthier cut the Ducks' deficit to 2-1 with 38 seconds left in the second period.

The players

Noah Cates

Philadelphia Flyers left wing who scored the overtime winner on a deflection.

Leo Carlsson

Anaheim Ducks forward who scored the game-tying goal late in regulation.

Dan Vladar

Philadelphia Flyers goaltender who made 34 saves in the win.

Lukas Dostal

Anaheim Ducks goaltender who stopped 24 shots in the overtime loss.

Radko Gudas

Anaheim Ducks defenseman who is serving a five-game suspension.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee

What’s next

The Flyers will look to build on this overtime win when they visit the Los Angeles Kings on Thursday night. The Ducks will head to Utah to take on the Jazz on Friday.

The takeaway

This back-and-forth game showcased the Flyers' resilience in earning a crucial extra point in their pursuit of a playoff spot, while the Ducks were left to lament letting a late lead slip away in the overtime loss.