Brian Elliott “The Moose” has stepped up in time of need time and time again, even with all his prior injuries with the Flyers. Elliott has been solid this year, and has done everything he can to keep the Flyers afloat. Case and point was coming in cold from the bench in a 5-4 shootout victory against the Buffalo Sabres. He came in after the first period for Carter Hart, and played the rest of the game to earn the Flyers a much needed victory, “Nothing has come really that easy for me,” Brian Elliott said last night. “You just have to work hard. Ever since getting drafted second to last overall, it really puts a burr in your saddle and you just want to prove to everybody you can do it. I’ve had a lot of help through the year. Starting with parents, family, my brother and then teammates, coaches, everybody has a role of getting you to a point where you can play 500 games in the NHL. I’m so thankful for everybody along the way. Wife and kids just make you keep pushing. Know that you’re playing for something bigger than yourself. I just want to thank everybody.”
When healthy Elliott is a solid, good goalie, maybe not start 40-50 games a season, but a darn good backup. The problems that he has had in the past with being unhealthy seem to be a thing of the past, so much so that the entire team speaks very highly of him. Flyers Captain Claude Giroux has said time and time again The Moose is reliable, and Joel Farabee takes it a bit farther, “Moose came in, had a great game, really helped us out and was a big part of that win,” Farabee said following the Flyers 5-4 victory against the Sabres a month ago, “We have 2 great goalies and hopefully we can keep building off the momentum. “Really special (Last night to play in his 500th game),” Elliott said postgame. “I mean to be able to play 500 games in this league is an accomplishment I’m really proud of. I tried to soak it in and just enjoy the moment. It’s not ideal the way it turned out. It’s kind of how the season was going a little bit. I’m really proud of the fact to be able to reach that milestone as a goalie. Really happy that my wife and kids were there watching. Really joyful for me.”
Elliott became the Flyers fourth Goaltender to eclipse the 500 game mark. “The Moose” just goes about his business when his number is called. Has this season been easy for him or the team for that matter…No, but Elliott is a warrior and does whatever is possible to give his team a lift. Elliott is carrying the heavy lifting right now with Carter Hart on the shelf for the rest of the season. The Moose cannot play in five or six games straight anymore, but he will be relied upon when his number is called, and he has proven that this season and last for that matter:
“When we play mini sticks at home, I’m the one on the other side of the glass and I have to give ‘knucks’ as he kind of wheeling around (While speaking about his kids). It’s awesome to have them there. In a weird year like this where you’re away from your family a lot, it just makes everything that much better. Can’t wait to see them in the morning when they wake up pretty tired after spending the night at the rink.”– Brian Elliott
Elliott has been a great mentor for the young Hart, with both of these netminders speak highly of one another with both saying they have formed a great relationship with one another. This is the main reason Elliott is here in Philadelphia, to help Hart grow into the franchise netminder, as every prospect will go through ups and downs. It happens, and the hope is Hart will bounce back better than ever.
Kevin Hayes sported a “Moose 500 games” shirt yesterday before the game. He said that the shirts were placed in the locker stalls as the players arrived for the game. Hayes did say in his pre-game press conference that he did not know what company made the shirts.
The 35-year-old in Elliott has turned into a warrior through. Kevin Hayes was right yesterday when he said that Elliott was “The ultimate teammate” before the game began. Congratulations Brian, enjoy whatever comes next.
