Photo Credit: NHL com
The Flyers were suffering with the injury/sick bug, where media and fans alike are left once again scratching their heads. Carter Hart has not been placed on IR (Injured Reserve) with a mid body injury, but according to him he has fully recovered. He did Saturday night’s game after Head Coach John Tortorella said he would start with an illness once again. This was his second consecutive start that he missed due to illness, not injury related.
Enter Cal Petersen who was recalled from the Lehigh Valley Phantoms in Hart’s absence well over a week ago, Petersen entered last night’s game against the Los Angeles Kings reeling after getting smoked by the Kings a week ago at home in Philadelphia. This happened to be a different game, as Peterson was phenomenal with his rebound control, en route to a 4-2 victory against his former team, “It’s amazing. The guys battled hard for me, blocking shots. Tell last year, but to do it here means so much,” Cal Petersen said following the game.
Theoretically, Hart’s absence wasn’t a bad thing. This gave the Flyers a shot to not only get a look at a Samuel Ersson, but Petersen, as well. Hart’s absence allowed both Ersson and Petersen to regain their confidence. Ersson was struggling before Hart’s absence, and mainly that was due to lack of playing time. It appeared that he was struggling moving to a backup role, as opposed to a starting role. The two are much different, so hopefully now he can adjust himself properly. While Petersen were struggling in Lehigh, to the point who knew what goaltender you were going to get on a particular night. It wasn’t only Petersen’s fault, the play in front of him hasn’t been that good for Lehigh this season, at least in the early going.
Unfortunately for Petersen, all good things must come to an end as Petersen was sent back to the Lehigh Valley Phantoms yesterday, along with Victor Mete. These are not paper transactions for cap savings, obviously Hart will be able to return Wednesday night against Carolina, while there is no need to carry seven defensemen for one road game. The Flyers will play at home on Saturday and Sunday, so there is no need to carry an extra defensemen. These two veteran players did not have to clear waivers once again, as they did not play in 10 or more games, or were recalled for 30 days or more.
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For Mete and Petersen, these recent recalls were great for them and it should give them confidence moving forward with the Phantoms. The Phantoms need these two veteran players to right the ship for their season in the early going.
