35 and counting: Flyers left stunned after Cup chase ends suddenly against champion Blackhawks

Flyers title chase at 35 years, and counting

PHILADELPHIA — In a season in which they seemingly mastered the art of the comeback, the Philadelphia Flyers are dealing with falling one rally short.

The Chicago Blackhawks put a sudden end to the Flyers’ unlikely playoff run Wednesday with an overtime goal in Game 6 for their first Stanley Cup title since 1961.

Make it 35 years and counting for the Flyers in their pursuit of a third championship.

Philadelphia persevered through plenty of obstacles, overcoming the season-ending injury to opening night goaltender Ray Emery and the midseason firing of coach John Stevens.

The Flyers used a shootout victory on the final day of the regular season to clinch a playoff spot. Then became the third team in NHL history to rebound from a 3-0 deficit and win a series when they eliminated Boston in the Eastern Conference semifinals. The comebacks continued in the Stanley Cup final when Philadelphia evened the series at 2-all after losing the first two games at Chicago.