The Philadelphia Flyers were never able to get back into the game following an early third-period goal from the Carolina Hurricanes in a 4-1 loss on Wednesday night at Wells Fargo Center. With the loss, the Flyers fall to 8-10-2 with a sixth-place spot in the Metropolitan standings after 20 games. Carolina wins their third straight game and overtakes the Washington Capitals for the top spot in the division.
Ivan Fedotov had an uneven game but did not get much help from the Flyers offense. Philadelphia was under siege the entire game but they only handed the pressure well for the first 40 minutes. Unfortunately for Philly, there are 60 regulation minutes in an NHL hockey game. Earlier on Wednesday, John Tortorella called Carolina “the blueprint”. The Hurricanes showcased why by denying the Flyers time and space during the midweek battle in South Philly.
Carolina Seizes Early Advantage
Flyers goaltender Ivan Fedotov allowed a goal on the first shot of the game for Carolina following a turnover on the first shift by Scott Laughton. Carolina Defenseman Jalen Chatfield fired a puck from the blue line that evaded various bodies in front of the net including the Flyers goalie for a 1-0 Hurricanes lead. Following the goal, Fedotov responded well stopping the remaining nine shots sent in his direction.
Hurricanes goaltender Pyotr Kochetkov made 11 saves for Carolina in a spotless first period. The Hurricanes were called for a pair of penalties late in the first period, including one that spilled over into the second frame. However, Carolina killed them both off before the Flyers could take advantage.
Flyers Tie Things in the Second
Shortly after missing on the man advantage opportunity, Philadelphia scored on a Ryan Poehling shot that went sailing between the legs of a Carolina defender and above the glove of the 22-year-old goalie for Carolina. Poehling’s first goal of the series tied the game at one at the 2:13 mark of the second period. Philadelphia’s offense would run dry with only three more shot attempts over the remaining 17 minutes of action.
The Hurricanes continued to press the issue offensively against the Flyers with another 10 shots in the middle period. Fedotov made a pair of stops with less than 10 seconds remaining in the period to keep the game tied heading into the second intermission, including one brilliant stop that required him to dive across the crease to get his gigantic 6-foot-7 frame in the way of a puck speeding toward the back of the net.
Canes Take Control Early in the Third Period
Sebastian Aho, one of Carolina’s elite goal-scoring threats, untied the game a minute into the third period on a relatively harmless-looking shot that found daylight under Fedotov for a 2-1 Hurricanes lead, The road squad added two more goals a few minutes increasing their advantage to 4-1.
Philadelphia struggled to generate offensive momentum following Carolina’s opening score of the third period with only four shots in the final frame. Meanwhile, the Hurricanes throw the proverbial kitchen sink at Fedotov with 17 shots on goal in the third period to finish with a 37-19 shot advantage over the Flyers.
Frustrated Tortorella Speaks Postgame
It was not a very long press conference for John Tortorella following the loss clocking in just over three minutes. “We just need to manage the puck better,” Tortorella responded post-game. “Against these teams, Colorado, Carolina, (and) we got one coming next week in Vegas… we have to manage the puck better. Too many turnovers.” That comment is backed up by the postgame stats on NHL.com as Philly finished with 25 giveaways in the game.
Tortorella said the biggest correction Philadelphia needs to make is making better decisions in the neutral zone and supporting the puck if the defense makes a play. “The turnovers are what bother me,” a frustrated coach continued. “We spent a lot of time talking about it before the game. That we are going to have to be clean through the neutral zone. We are not good enough to play that type of game trying to beat people (one-on-one).”
Philadelphia (8-10-2) looks to rebound on Saturday afternoon as the Chicago Blackhawks (6-12-1) visit the Wells Fargo Center in South Philly. Game time is scheduled for 1 pm EST.
Related: Flyers Start Road Trip With Tough Test Against Carolina Hurricanes
Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images
