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Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Cam York did more than just end the Pittsburgh Penguins’ season by scoring the game-winning overtime goal in Game 6: he threw his stick into the stratosphere during the celebrations.
York scored the game-winner with 2:28 left in overtime, giving the Flyers a decisive 1-0 victory over the Penguins on Wednesday at the Wells Fargo Center.
York fired a wrist shot through traffic that found the back of the net, sending the Flyers faithful into a frenzy. The 25-year-old defenseman turned around in celebration and yelled toward the crowd before winding up and throwing his stick into the stands.
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Cam York of the Philadelphia Flyers celebrates after scoring the game-winning goal in overtime in Game 6 against the Pittsburgh Penguins in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on April 29, 2026. (Matt Slocum/AP Photo)
The Flyers’ overtime hero said he passed out celebrating.
“I hope everyone is OK,” York said with a laugh. “I definitely don’t want a trial. Honestly, I passed out. I didn’t know what to do. I was so excited.”
The Flyers took a 3-0 series lead, but the Penguins fought back to win Games 4 and 5, threatening to pull off a historic comeback. York said the team knew it would be tough to beat their state counterparts.
“I just tried to put it there,” York said. “We knew it was going to be fat. It was really good to see that one go in.”
“So happy for the guys in this room. We’ve been fighting all year for this position.”
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Philadelphia Flyers goalie Dan Vladar celebrates after the Flyers won Game 6 against the Pittsburgh Penguins in the first round of the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs in Philadelphia, April 29, 2026. (Matt Slocum/AP Photo)
Despite falling 3-0, the Penguins never wavered in their faith in their ability to rally and force a deciding game seven. They attempted to become the fifth team in NHL history to win a series after falling behind 3-0.
“We were one shot away from going back to Pittsburgh for Game 7,” Sidney Crosby said. “It comes down to rebounds sometimes. Putting yourself in that position is tough. I think we were all confident we could pull through. It’s just a shame we fell behind early in the series.”
“It’s a lot right now,” Penguins coach Dan Muse said. “At no point do I expect the season to end today.”
Flyers goalie Dan Vladar was outstanding in the win, saving all 42 shots he faced from the Penguins.
The Flyers are in the playoffs for the first time since 2020, when they last reached the second round of the bubble season. They are in the second round of a full NHL season for the first time since 2012.
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Sidney Crosby and Sean Couturier shake hands after the Philadelphia Flyers won Game 6 of the NHL Stanley Cup first-round playoff series in Philadelphia, April 29, 2026. (Matt Slocum/AP Photo)
Flyers coach Rick Tocchet is in his first season as the team’s head coach and said he understands fans’ frustration with the lack of playoff success over the past decade.
“It’s been a long time,” Tocchet said. “I know there was a lot of frustration.”
The Flyers will face the Carolina Hurricanes in the second round of the playoffs.
