Photo Credit: NHL com
Cal Petersen was obtained as a cap dump by the Los Angeles Kings in the three-way deal involving Ivan Provorov. That’s just it, he was viewed as a cap dump, but now he’s playing meaningful hockey games for the Flyers organization, whom have lost Carter Hart for the season, at the very least, with the 2018 Hockey Canada sexual assault case, “I’m really just taking it day by day, but I understand the opportunity. It’s one I’ve waited for a long time,” said Petersen following the 3-2 victory over the Seattle Kraken. “I’m still going to have the day to day mentality, but it’s an opportunity I don’t want it to go to waste.”
Enter Cal Petersen who was recalled from the Lehigh Valley Phantoms in Hart’s absence a few weeks ago, Petersen entered last night’s a bit rusty one would say, with his last start with the Flyers being November 11, 2023 against the Los Angeles Kings. He did see garbage time minutes against the Boston Bruins, a game in which the Flyers were shellacked. However , in this game against the Kraken Peterson was phenomenal with his rebound control, en route to a 3-2 victory against them, “The guys made it easy for me, not a lot of odd man rushes. Just made the saves I needed to make,” Cal Petersen said following the game.
Petersen should be given a shot at the backup Goaltending role. When was the last time the orange and black had depth in the Flyers system at this position, to just lose one of the most important goaltenders, while still managing to stay afloat in the Metropolitan Division standings. Losing Carter Hart gives the Flyers a shot to not only get a look at a Samuel Ersson, but Petersen, as well. Hart’s absence opens the opportunity for both Ersson and Petersen to regain their threshold within the organization.
For his efforts, Petersen has registered a .927 Save Percentage in his last two starts, dating back to November 11, 2023, “He hasn’t played in a long time, but I thought he played well,” Tortorella said of Cal Petersen last night. The guys in front of him played very well, especially with limiting odd man rushes, while only allowing 19 shots on net. In the same token, he did manage to make some nice saves, which is what a backup netminder should do.
I mean the Flyers blocked 23 shots to propel the team to victory. Petersen was very appreciative of the guys battling for him all night, with blocking tons of shots, to give him another victory, while proving to his naysayers he deserves a shot at the backup role, at least for the rest of the season. More importantly, he made a spot start, and did with a backup goaltender supposed to do which is win. Petersen didn’t have to be flashy, but he made timely saves, especially in the third period where the Flyers were reeling early.
This allows the Flyers to juggle and have faith in their goaltending depth from here on out. If an injury arises fans in media alike do not have to panic. They can trust any goaltender to come in and perform well if they continue to get an effort like Petersen received last night against the Kraken.
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