SAN JOSE — It’s tough to say how Kevin Labanc will remember his night Wednesday.
The 21-year-old Labanc, starting his second full season of professional hockey, became the first Sharks player to score twice in the first period of a season-opening game.
But Labanc took three penalties that all resulted in Philadephia goals, including Wayne Simmonds’ go-ahead goal with 10:33 left in the third period. Simmonds added an empty-netter with 35.7 seconds left to give the Flyers a 5-3 win over the Sharks at SAP Center. The Sharks had won seven straight season opening games.
Labanc was called for tripping Flyers rookie Nolan Patrick at the 9:21 mark.