And just like that, the Hockey season is over for Flyers fans. No post season, no hype or ceremony. Just a sudden weight added to the chest as you realise the next time you’ll see the Broadstreet bullies take to the ice will be in October and it’s now just the third time in 20 years that the Flyers won’e have made the playoffs. 2It would have been great, regardless of the fact there is no playoffs this season to end with a win. To go into the offseason on a positive note. Unfortunately that wasn’t the case as Ottawa triumphed in a 3-1 victory.
Steve Mason once again had a vital role in the match but unfortunately and uncharacteristically, for the wrong reasons. He mishandled two pucks during the game against the Sens, both of which found their way into the back of the net, meaning that Ottawa clinch a playoff berth. The first goal was solely down to Mason whilst the other two took some extra action to put them in the net. It’s hard to criticise the star goalie after the exceptional season he has had, but tonight was definitely one of his weaker games.
Matt Read surprisingly found his form of old as he netted his eighth goal of the season, the only one the Flyers would put on the board. Having spent most of the year battling injuries along with poor decision making. He was always the one to search out the pass and sometimes that meant passing up golden opportunities. In the final fixture of the season however, Read took it in his stride and powered a shot past the Hamburglar to keep the Flyers within reach.
Couturier (who matched a career high 6 game point streak) and Schenn continued to bring this new found confidence to the ice, playing vital roles in the creation of Read’s goal. In recent week this front line has been extremely impressive and despite the obvious changes in personnel that will go on in the off-season, knowing that Brayden Schenn and Sean Couturier have a new found chemistry is a huge positive to take going into next season.
It wasn’t exactly like the Flyers were outplayed and embarrassed tonight. Every top line attack was met by a defenseman at the blue line .The Sens forced shots from the outside and stopped charges to the goal, peventing Giroux, Raffl and company from exploding! It’s obvious that Ottawa had been making some notes prior to the game!
Despite a loss and an ultimately disappointing season, there are some large positives to take. We will touch on these in a future article but for now let’s just remember the good times, the suspense, the excitement and the emotion that the NHL gave us this season. Here’s to next year, and who knows..maybe even playoffs!
