This is a game John Tortorella had circled on the schedule. He made it a point that the Philadelphia Flyers (30-20-7) would not overlook the Chicago Blackhawks (15-39-3):
“That game scares that shit out of me, in Chicago. I want us ready to play that game.”
John Tortorella; 2/17/2024
Salvaging a disjointed road trip meant a lot. The Flyers earned a timely win before returning home for an NHL Metropolitan Division back-to-back this weekend. There is critical ground to cover when the New York Rangers and Pittsburgh Penguins visit the Wells Fargo Center.
Sam Ersson went head-to-head with Arvid Soderblom live from the United Center.
If Travis Sanheim wasn’t the last line of defense on an odd-man rush, Ersson had a knack for committing left-hand larceny. In addition to forcing timely turnovers, Sanheim scored on a shot that should have sailed wide of the net but deflected off of Alex Vlasic, 1-0.
However, Colin Blackwell tied the game. Philadelphia allowed too many odd-man rushes in the first period. Blackwell hit a toe drag around Jamie Drysdale, committed on a sliding poke check, and then finished his shot past Ersson, 1-1.
“At the beginning of the period, we’re just way too risky on the top of the zone, especially against Bedard’s line. We’re just way too risky, making lateral plays.”
John Tortorella; 2/21/2024
Stellar work on the penalty kill from Sanheim, Nick Seeler, Garnet Hathaway, and Scott Laughton helped remove momentum from the Blackhawks. Sanheim and Laughton cleared the zone, Hathaway kept enforcing his physical brand on Chicago, and Seeler helped Ersson by blocking shots. After the successful penalty kill, the Flyers sustained offensive pressure on Soderblom.
Travis Konecny carried the puck and sniped the eventual game-winner, 2-1. Then, similarly to earlier in the first period, Seeler helped Ersson kill another penalty. Philadelphia finished 2/2 on the penalty kill, denying the Blackhawks on some close calls. Momentum stayed with the Flyers, and after another denial of the last-place Chicago powerplay, Hathaway put a rebound created by Noah Cates past Soderblom, 3-1.
“Tonight, that was just great work by Catesy [Cates] and Poehls [Poehling], I thought the whole night. I’m the guy in front of the net that gets the puck sitting there, but those guys are working hard, making a lot of good plays.”
Garnet Hathaway; 2/21/2024
Soderblom played a sloppy game. Philadelphia was all over him behind the net, including Joel Farabee and Morgan Frost. The tandem almost combined to increase the lead, but Soderblom made it home to make a save.
Seeler and Reese Johnson exchanged fists. Those fireworks were the last from the Flyers. Soderblom was pulled for the extra skater, but the Blackhawks couldn’t convert six-on-five. Laughton missed the empty net, too. No harm, no foul as Philadelphia secured the 3-1 victory.
“It was not pretty, but as long as you get the two points, and get out; now, I’m already thinking about practice. They have tomorrow off, we get our practice; a big weekend back-to-back. It’s not style points, right now. We’re just trying to keep our concentration, and just grind away to get points.”
John Tortorella; 2/21/2024
Up Next
Next, the Philadelphia Flyers host the New York Rangers on Saturday at 3pm.
(AP Photo/Erin Hooley)
