Courier-Post from Camden, New Jersey • C1

Courier-Post THURSDAY, APRIL 5, 2018 1C Sports VOORHEES An optional practice with a handful of skaters and two of the four goalies on the ice shed little light into what do next, which of course is exactly how they want it. Like late in an election night, the race is too close to call. With two reg- ular-season games to go, the Flyers could still conceivably play six ent teams in the round of the play- or miss the postseason complete- ly. Oh, and they might bring their No. 1 goalie back before clinched a spot.

a said Brian Elliott, who played since having surgery to repair a core muscle on Feb. 13. if there was more time it would help, but we have that. You have to weigh everything. been playing well.

This last stretch we put ourselves in a really good spot. (Tuesday) night obviously we put things with an excla- mation mark on it but got to look to these last two games. pretty fun about an NHL schedule, 82 games and every one matters. what makes it Tuesday night the Flyers sleep- walked through two periods and erased a three-goal in the third period only to lose to the New York Is- landers, allowing the game-winning goal 28 seconds after Claude Giroux tied it with his 30th goal of the season. It took some air out of the re- cent push that included points in eight straight games before regu- lation loss.

The opportunity was so big almost lost that the Flyers still con- trol their own destiny. Any combina- tion of three points gained by the Fly- ers or lost by the surging Florida Pan- thers locks Philly in the picture. we had a setback (Tuesday) night much like everybody along the way is going to coach Dave Hakstol said. a matter of just having a good strong response. Not a whole lot to talk about this morning.

Just some short, quick reminders about where at and what we have to do and you move forward and get ready to go and grind But what will their lineup look like? Elliott said that ruled including starting against the Carolina Hurricanes Thursday. Both Hakstol and Elliott said that the big- gest determining factor is how the goalie feels and not whether the Flyers have clinched a berth or not. More could change than just the goalie, too. Scott Laughton in the lineup Tuesday night, what Hakstol inferred could be a short break because played well. Laughton had an excellent Flyers are in as approach Team could play any of six foes or miss out Dave Isaac Cherry Hill Courier-Post USA TODAY NETWORK NEW JERSEY See FLYERS, Page 2C AUGUSTA, Ga.

Blame it on a gener- ation that thinks nothing was ever as great as what just happened. Maybe it was a tough winter, and nothing melts frigid memories like the sight of azaleas, dogwoods and Creek. It sure hurt that all the best players, as young as 23-year-old Jon Rahm and ancient as 47-year-old Phil Mickelson, are winning tournaments and hitting their stride. The competition is so steep that four players have a chance to be No. 1 in the world.

is my 42nd club chairman Fred Ridley said Wednesday. have never been a part of this week where been any more excite- But the real reason for all the talk that this Masters might be the best ever still comes down to one guy: Tiger Woods. In San Diego and Los Angeles, in Tampa and Orlando, fans by the thousands when Woods returned to Tiger Woods hits a shot on the fourth hole during a practice round for the Masters Wednesday in Augusta, Ga. DAVID J. Masters hype at all-time high as Tiger rallies back Doug Ferguson ASSOCIATED PRESS See MASTERS, Page 4C NEW YORK Yoenis Cespedes ho- mered, Amed Rosario hit a two-run tri- ple and the bullpen faced the minimum batters over scoreless in- nings as New York downed the Philadel- phia Phillies 4-2 Wednesday.

New York swept a weather-short- ened two-game series. With runners at the corners and two outs in the sixth, Rosario cleared the bases with a liner over the head of shal- low-playing right Nick Williams to chase reliever Drew Hutchison (1-1) and snap a 2-2 tie. The 22-year-old Ro- sario has driven in runs in as many games. Mets relievers continued their strong start in a game that started 97 minutes late due to rain. Converted starter Rob- ert Gsellman (1-0) threw two perfect in- nings.

Hansel Robles struck out the side in his appearance this season. A.J. Ramos pitched a scoreless eighth and closer Jeurys Familia earned his third save in three chances. Mets relievers have allowed three runs in 20 innings (1.33 ERA), and the pitching as a whole has 61 strike- outs through the games. Cespedes jumped on Aaron hanging curveball in the inning, sending it the facing of the second deck in left to give the Mets a 2-0 lead.

The Phillies tied it in the third on some timely hitting, a botched rundown and a steal of home. Cesar Hernandez singled and advanced to third on Carlos double. Williams followed with an RBI groundout, moving San- tana to third and scoring Hernandez snapping a 19-inning scoreless streak. Rhys Hoskins walked and tried to swipe second. Catcher Kevin Plawecki threw to Asdrubal Cabrera in front of the bag, prompting Hoskins to reverse course and head toward base while Santana slowly inched toward the plate.

As Cabrera tossed the ball to baseman Adrian Gonzalez, Santana sprinted down the line. Gonzalez to Plawecki late. Noah Syndergaard fanned in the two innings and seven overall, but lasted just four innings after throwing 92 pitches. Nola allowed two runs on four hits and four walks over innings, striking out four. Pitcher Drew Hutchison (33) hands the ball to manager Gabe Kapler (22) during the sixth.

ANDY TODAY SPORTS Phillies defeated 4-2 in ideal day for Mets Strong bullpen, Cespedes homer help NY complete sweep Scott Orgera ASSOCIATED PRESS.