After last night’s overtime win against the Boston Bruins, the Flyers were hoping to be able to do it again in this back-to-back set, but failed to keep that momentum going.
Starting with Carter Hart in the net tonight and back on home ice, the Flyers once again faced off the Bruins. And the Bruins goalie Jeremy Swayman made his NHL debut tonight at the Wells Fargo Center. Just three points behind the Bruins to start the game, the Flyers unsuccessfully tried to put themselves closer to that fourth-place spot.
Period 1:
The Flyers gave up the first point of the night at 12:51 when Patrice Bergeron sailed one into the back of the net, earning him his 900th career point. Ivan Provorov had lost track of Bergeron in front of the net, and that was all it took.
Aube-Kubel took the Flyers’ first penalty of the night for holding which led to another goal by Bergeron. Laughton went on his second breakaway of the period but the shot was blocked and the center was able to turn that into another goal, really making them pay for what happened last night. Overall, the Flyers had some quality scoring chances, but all were denied.
The Flyers lead the period with shots on goal but unfortunately not with points as Patrice Bergeron was out for revenge.
I’d say the phrase for to sum up this period for the Flyers would be “The shot went wide.”
Period 2:
The Flyers came out to play in the second period. Less than two minutes into the period, Jakub Voracek was able to put the orange and black behind by one after he snuck the puck around the legs of Swayman off a pass from Konecny. Making it Voracek’s first goal in 9 games.
Shayne Gostisbehere scored his 6th goal of the season after he sniped a cross-ice pass from Jakub Voracek into the back of the net, tying the game less than five minutes later. Gostisbehere is now in the 6th place spot for the most points by a defenseman in franchise history at 211. A line change during the second period where Oskar Lindblom replaced Joel Farabee on the top line.
The Flyers ended the period able to tie the game and had 25 shots on goal for the second period, the highest of the season. The Bruins went into this game only allowing 25 second period goals, tied for the fewest in the NHL. The second period was a great one for the Flyers, hitting a few posts here and there, but putting themselves on the map.
The phrase for this period would be “Great comeback but can Laughton score already?!”
Period 3:
The third period started with some back and forth and then a powerplay chance for the Flyers. Once again the Flyers were not able to capitalize on it, but Brad Marchand was. Taking a missed pass from Konecny, he was able to come up with a shorthanded goal.
With less than seven minutes left, the Bruins went on the powerplay as the refs called a delayed penalty on Sam Morin for roughing. Judging by the expression on Morin’s face, he was as shocked as everyone as the body check looked clean.
With 1:58 left, Hart was pulled adding an extra man on the ice. Bergeron was able to score the game hat trick with 22 seconds left, sealing the game for Boston and giving him his sixth career hat trick.
The phrase for this period would be “Pain.”
The End Results:
Last night’s game and a roaring second-period comeback for the orange and black left fans all hopeful for tonight’s scoring outcome. Unfortunately, the Flyers couldn’t keep up with Boston and the night ended in a 4-2 loss for Philly. I do have to give a shoutout to Carter Hart though, he made some top-notch saves and really looked to be in tip-top shape. If it wasn’t for Patrice Bergeron and his revenge tour, Philly might’ve had a chance, but for now, the Flyers sit in their sixth-place division spot.
Photo Credit: Alex McIntyre
