The Flyers improved their pre-season record to 3-1 following a 5-2 win over the New York Islanders and once again it was everyone’s favourite ghost bear in the spotlight. The 22 year old has now scored three goals in two games.
The other players to find the net on the night were Chris Porter, Brayden Schenn, Michael Raffl and Matt Read with Raffl’s goal coming just 31 seconds apart from Schenn’s to put the Flyers up by two in the second.
Schenn continued his bid for the fourth line with another impressive game. In sixteen minutes of action, Schenn picked up two shots and two hits. Hakstoll seems to be content with his performances having now seen a goal each night, but told news sources that “There’s some areas that he can become more complete in.”
Brayden scored his third goal of the pre-season, seeing him tie the league in Pre-Season goals with Teemu Pulkkinen, Tomas Tatar, Paul Stastny and Vladimir Tarasenko.
Steve Mason got the night off and number two goalie Michael Neuvirth got the start. He looked pretty solid, stopping 23 of 25 shots.
Power Plays were a big part of the pre-season affair, the home team were two for five on Power Play opportunities whilst The Flyers killed allowed a total of seven Islanders power plays, but were able to see off six of them. However things started badly when Bracken Kearns beat Del Zotto on a power play to break through and give the Islanders an early lead. One they would later relinquish.
The team as a whole look raring to go. Whether it’s due to Hakstoll’s presence or perhaps the drive to push the team back into the playoffs, this is a Flyers team where every single player is playing with pride and passion. Now whilst it’s only pre-season and if the Eagles have taught us anything it’s that Pre-Season doesn’t always mean imminent success, this Flyers team looks extremely efficient.
The Flyers will now take the weekend off before facing the Rangers once again on Monday at 7PM.
