Flyers can’t weather the storm; lose to Hurricanes in OT

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Flyers' Tyson Foerster
Philadelphia Flyers’ Tyson Foerster, right, and Brendan Lemieux celebrate after a goal by Foerster during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Carolina Hurricanes, Saturday, March 18, 2023, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Well in four games this season against the Carolina Hurricanes, Philadephia was hoping at least the fourth game would have a different outcome than the first three meetings. Well, the Hurricanes brought a man named Sebastian Aho who ensured that he left a path of destruction through the Wells Fargo Center in the 5-4 overtime loss.

Flyers felt the first band of the Carolina storm

First of all, if you’re reading this review, please expect all the meteorological puns I could make. Not your thing? Stick around anyway.

First period relatively quiet so far for both teams four minutes in. Carolina doubled up on shots earlier in the game, thanks to chances one of them coming from Jesse Puljujarvi.

Someone having a better than maybe he expected is Felix Sandstrom. Through 20 minutes of play, he was tested by Carolina and for a change, the Flyers’ defense came up to help him out.

Yet the Hurricanes drew first blood in this contest at the 5:08 mark when Sandstrom was left high and dry. Pretty common for this organization and Carolina took advantage of it. Aho with the snapper to put the visitors on the board first 1-0. Brady Skjei and Jordan Martinook with the assist.

The Flyers’ defense allowed another one to walk right on in two minutes later. Skjei this time the goalscorer. He potted his unassisted wrister and it sailed through the five slot, giving Carolina a 2-0 lead heading into the first intermission. The mark made it his 15th goal of the season.

The defense for Philadelphia in the zone looked like they were wondering where the rubber black disk they need to block might be headed. o wrap it up the headed to the locker room down two after the first 15 minutes of play.

Flying in the middle of the eye of the storm

The Flyers at least tried to equal the shots taken by the Hurricanes here in the middle stanza. Owen Tippett fired one on Carolina’s Frederik Anderson but it just sails high and wide.

This time five minutes in, it’s the newbie to the Flyers’ Tyson Foerster. He slots on through the legs of Anderson and that makes it his first NHL goal ever and first of the season. Morgan Frost and Brendan Lemieux notched the assists.

Carolina made it a 3-1 game thanks to a second goal from Aho on the evening. The wrister was assisted by former Flyers Shane Gostisbehere and Stefan Noesen.

Carolina got the first penalty of the evening on a tripping call by Jesperi Kotkaniemi on Rasmus Ristolanian and the Flyers onto the first power play of the evening.

Another tripping call with less than two minutes left, again on Carolina and now Philadelphia had a chance to be on a two-man advantage.

Flyers immediately capitalize on the 5 on 3 thanks to Noah Cates and his magnificent wrist. It’s the 11th goal for him this season and the first goal for him in the past six games. Tippett and Foerster both got a nod for the assist.

Cam York and Tony DeAngelo were on the power play unit and with the Tippett-Foerster-Cates line leading the way, it is the second time this unit has scored a goal.

40 down and only one goal down as Carolina led 3-2 heading into the second intermission.

Strom might be ending in Philadelphia?

As the great (not real) soccer coach Ted Lasso says “it’s the hope that kills you”. There was hope in the air, a bit of- dare the fans to think- optimism. Us? Only down one goal to the divisional leaders? Well, why not!

There is where Joel Farabee came in on a lifeboat in the storm (you’re almost through the jokes!). The Beezer gets the puck off the rebound from Tippett. Slotted it past Anderson and Philadelphia tied this game at three goals each. It’s the second straight game with a goal from Farabee after going 26 without. Farabee could be back!

But this was not the end at the Wells Fargo Center and the Flyers brought more vigor to the ice. Torts and Co. made a solid line choice with Frost and Lemieux on it. Frosty forced a turnover and blocked Anderson’s pass attempt. Linemate Lemieux netted the easy tap-in and Philadelphia took a 4-3 lead with 15 minutes left to play.

4-3 held for the next ALMOST 15 minutes and it looked like Philadelphia was going to get a much-wanted win over the divisional leaders. Well with 0.3 seconds, just a fraction of time left in regulation, Martin Necas tied the game. On a 6-on-4 powerplay, Carolina pulled Anderson and knocked the puck loose past Sandstrom. 4-4 and we’re headed to overtime here at the WFC.

Overtime: and 30 seconds it’s over. Or let’s put it better…it’s AHO-over. Make the hats rain for Aho as he potted the puck on the rush and through the skates of DeAngelo. He beat Sandstrom for his 30th goal of the season.

The Canes take the fourth meeting 5-4 in overtime.

Gina’s Gem of the Game

The Diamond of the Tilt is a brief and easy one. The first goal in the NHL is always a special one. Tyson Foerster notching his first against the best team in the division is no easy feat. He was taken 23rd overall in the 2020 Draft by Philadelphia. Since then, he’s spent his time in the AHL with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms before being called up to the Flyers. He has 39 points this season (19 goals and 20 assists) and arguably his best season yet with Philly’s AHL affiliate. Well done Foerster.

Next Game

Philadelphia plays host to the Florida Panthers on the First Day of Spring, March 21st, at 7pm.

(AP Photo/Matt Slocum)