Photo Credits: FNG’s Rob Windfelder
The Flyers played host to the St. Louis Blues on Halloween night in Philadelphia. The Flyers were looking sharp as this game got underway, crisp passing, finishing checks, and keeping responsible defensive positioning intact. Consistency has not been the Flyers strong suit so far this season. This looked very much like the same hockey team that shutout the Boston Bruins on Tuesday night.
The Flyers have really benefitted from the return of Nick Seeler to the line-up. His presence on the ice makes a huge difference in the team’s defensive strength overall. Tonight he was doing all of the things that he does right. Breaking up plays, blocking shots, and keeping things locked down in front of the Flyers net. Rasmus Ristolainen was also a force for the Flyers in their own end tonight.
Samuel Ersson put in another fine performance stopping 20 of 21 shots and extending Tuesday’s shutout performance into the 3rd period of tonight’s game.
At 11:12 of the 1st period Nick Seeler sprung Ryan Poehling into the Blues zone on a 2-on-1 break with Garnet Hathaway. Poehling skated to the left circle and made the cross ice pass to Hathaway who smacked it home behind Blues goaltender Jordan Binnington. It was Hathaway’s first goal of the new season.
The Blues came out with renewed intensity at the start of the 2nd period. Jordan Kyrou hit the post twice in the opening minutes. The Flyers went on the power-play at 15:05 and had trouble maintaining possession in the St. Louis zone. For all the success the Flyers were enjoying in this game there was also a ton of missed opportunities. They were having some luck breaking in with numbers but unfortunately never getting the shot off. There were odd man rushes and prolonged possessions that just didn’t add up to a shot on goal.
Goaltending
The Flyers were still able to carry their one goal lead into the final period. Samuel Ersson started the 3rd period with a huge save on a Jake Neighbours attempt. Play went down the other end and Binnington made a huge save against Sean Couturier shot. Play was end to end, back and forth, the teams were trading chances frantically as the period opened up.
The Flyers power-play went 0-for-3 tonight even though Matvei Michkov shined on the man advantages. After five and a half perfect periods Samuel Ersson gave up a goal at 9:58 of the 3rd period. Broberg shot from the right circle. Ersson made the initial save. The puck went right to Nathan Walker in the slot with a ton of net to shoot at. Ersson did his best to reach back with the blocker but to know avail. In a game where goals were hard to come by the score was now tied at one with half a period to go.
The Flyers crispy passing started to deteriorate just a bit as the night wore on. Jamey Drysdale put an attempted clear onto the stick of Jordan Kyrou who drove right in. Ersson made a fantastic glove to keep the game knotted up.
Closing Statements
With just over three minutes left in regulation Joel Farabee broke into the Blues zone with Bobby Brink. Farabee carried to the left circle and passed across to a charging Brink. Brink tapped the puck between the legs of the St. Louis netminder to put the Flyers ahead 2-1.
The Blues pulled their goaltender for the extra attacker and applied pressure for the final two minutes. Former Flyer Brayden Schenn came so very close to cracking the code in the final seconds but Samuel Ersson closed the pads on him. Time ran out and the Flyers won their second game in a row, three of the past four.
Extra Credit: After the game the Flyers posed with their moms at center ice to cap off Mom’s Week on a very happy note. Smiles all around.
Next Up: Flyers vs Bruins Saturday afternoon 1:00 PM in Philadelphia
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