The Flyers are rocking and rolling these days, and it has some people around the Philadelphia region singing, “Rock, I want to Rock.” They are receiving some awesome Goaltending this pre-season from all the netminders really. However, with Michal Neuvirth with an injured groin, and Alex Lyon on the shelf for a few weeks. Does Carter Hart move up the depth chart? One word answer, absolutely. Does he move ahead of Anthony Stolarz? Maybe, and he will get his chance to prove that the rest of the pre-season, “I’m just here to play, I’m focused on training camp, and that’s where I’m at right now,” Hart says. Talk about a confident Goaltender.
Flyers fans aren’t accustomed to rock solid Goaltending throughout a full-season, well since former President of the United States Ronald Reagan was in office. However, better days are on the horizon with Elliott healthy again, and well the future in Hart right around the corner.
Elliott is a stop gap goaltender until Hart is ready, but with the inconsistencies for a backup netminder at this time. Now maybe the time for Hart’s arrival. Hart is just dialed in, and he’s saying the right things, “I’m focusing on the details I have to, and just trying to put together a good camp.”
The young netminder came into training camp with one goal in mind. Just to do well, and he’s done just that. Ironically enough, the camp following his career-best numbers for the Everett Silvertips in 2017-18. For the season, Hart registered a 1.60 GAA, and a .947 Save Percentage, en route to becoming the WHL’s best Goaltender for the third time. He had a really good first pre-season game, and really nothing seems to faze him, “To play in my first preseason game with like I said, the big boys and the older guys where as compared to playing in the rookie games in the past. It was cool to get out there, especially in front of the home fans and play.”
Hart has been lights out this pre-season with only allowing 2 goals. It’s not far off that he’s the backup netminder, and at this point he could win the job unexpectedly. Unexpectedly to some, but not to Hart… maybe his favorite food has really helped him this pre-season, “I love pasta…chicken penne alfredo, but I love Sesame Chicken from PF Chang’s too.”
Hart will start in net tonight against the New York Islanders in pre-season action. Stolarz will backup Hart tonight. This game will be live from the PPL Center, Home of the Lehigh Valley Phantoms.
Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
