Get ready coach I’m ready to play doosh, doosh, doosh. One of the greatest games on earth was taken outdoors. This year’s stadium series showdown featured the in state rivalry of our hometown Flyers taking on the hated Pittsburgh Penguins.
The Flyers entered the game trying to claw back into a wild card spot. However, the Flyers are 0-2 in outdoor games dating back to 2012. In 2012, they suffered a 3-2 loss to the New York Rangers. The Flyers looked to reverse that trend with a spirited game at Heinz Field.
Brayden Schenn spoke to the Philadelphia Inquirer on Friday stating, “Its a cool experience going outdoors. A lot of families are coming to town. We obviously know there are two points on the line, but its a whole different experience. Its pretty cool for us as well.”
The Flyers seemed energized from the start of the outdoor game, feeding off the crowd putting forth a solid performance. However, the Penguins were just too strong winning the game 4-2. Michal Neuvirth made 25 saves in the loss.
The team got off to a roaring start. They found themselves out shooting the Penguins 5-1, through the first five minutes of the opening period.
Chris Kunitz took the first penalty at 6:39 in the first period. The Flyers had good puck movement on the power play registering four shots on net. Matt Murray made all four saves keeping the game scoreless.
At 8:49 in the first period, Jake Guentzel entered the Flyers zone. He threaded a pass over to Sidney Crosby, and he one timed the puck past Neuvirth for a 1-0 lead. It was Crosby’s 34th goal of the year.
Ivan Provorov was called for the Flyers first penalty at 16:28 in the first period. The penalty killers were phenomenal, with only allowing one shot on the Penguins power play. Neuvirth made the easy save keeping the score 1-0 Penguins.
The first period came to a close with the Penguins leading 1-0. However, the Flyers dominated the first period. They outshot the Penguins 14-7, and won the face off margin 53%-47%.
Shayne Gostisbehere took an interference penalty 5:08 into the second period. On the ensuing power play, Nick Bonino one timed the puck past Neuvirth for his 9th goal of the year. This gave the Penguins a 2-0 lead.
Eric Fehr was called for a roughing penalty at 12:15 in the second period. The Flyers only registered one shot on net, to which Murray made the easy save keeping the score 2-0 Penguins.
The Flyers finally got on the board at 8:40 in the period. Jakub Voracek made two slick moves around netminder Murray, and placed the puck around him cutting into the Penguins lead 2-1. It was his 15th goal of the year.
The second period ended with the Penguins leading 2-1. The Flyers outshot the Penguins 12-11 for the period, and they won the faceoff margin 51%-49%.
Just 1:50 into the third period, Matt Cullen scored on a wrap around putting the Penguins up 3-1. It was Cullen’s 10th goal of the year.
At 6:36 in the third period, Guentzel took a holding penalty. Gostisbehere scored off a slap shot from the point just ten seconds into the power play, cutting the Penguns lead 3-2. It was his 5th goal of the year.
Cameron Gaunce took a hooking penalty at 8:41 in the third period. The Flyers registered two shots on net, but Murray made both saves keeping the score 3-2 Penguins.
Chad Ruhwedel scored off a wrist shot from the top of the right circle, at 14:06 in the third period. This put the Penguins up 4-2.
Unfortunately, the Flyers wound up losing the game 4-2. They did out shoot the Penguins 37-29, and won the faceoff margin 59%-41%.
Yet again, the Flyers had great effort. They still remain a fragile bunch, and the offense is suffering as Giroux continues to struggle. He did have an assist in tonight’s game, so hopefully he can break out of his scoring funk against the Colorado Avalanche on Tuesday at 7 pm. Follow me on Twitter @Jameybaskow for all Flyers updates.
Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
