The Flyers came out with jump Saturday night playing against the NHL’s top team in Winnipeg. Owen Tippet set the tone creating a pair of dangerous chances early on. The visiting Flyers played a strong 1st period outshooting the Jets 14-7.
The Jets opened the score sheet at 9:58 into the first when Mark Sheifele beat Ivan Fedotov with a snap shot from the bottom of the circle. Fedotov who got his first start in almost a month was tested numerous times and kept coming up big. He did as much work with his positioning as he did with his gear. Meaning, the Jets kept running out of time and real-estate while looking for something to shoot at. Fedotov seemed a step ahead of the Jets all night long.
Nicolas Deslauriers and Logan Stanley traded blows. Kyle Connor and Matvei Michkov traded breakaways. Again, on the Jets break Fedotov used his long legs to keep Connor from even finding a shot to attempt.
The Flyers tied the game 3:48 into the 2nd period. Noah Cates took over the point for Jamie Drysdale while springing him in deep with the puck. Drysdale had his run of the slot with plenty of time to find his best opportunity. He decisively rang the puck off the post and into the net behind Jets netminder Connor Hellebuyck.
The Flyers continued to outshoot the Jets as Fedotov continued to stand tall. The period ended with Hellebuyck facing Travis Konecny on a breakaway. Konecny loves to shoot low glove side and Hellebuyck seemed to be ready for him. The Jets goaltender cheated towards his left post so when TK went for his sweet spot the shot went past Hellebuyck but wide of the net.
The Flyers were forcing the Winnipeg goaltender to dance for his dinner. Four minutes into the 3rd period he flashed the leather on a strong attempt by Bobby Brink. The Flyers were outshooting the Jets 31-21 at that point of the tilt. As the 3rd period wore on Winnipeg’s superiority started to become apparent. The Flyers shot advantage was quickly dwindling away.
Goals were hard to come by and it started to seem like a “next goal wins” type situation was taking shape with about six minutes left. Neither goaltender was giving up an inch.
Penalties
The Jets had the Flyers bottled up applying prolonged pressure in the Philadelphia end. Finally while running out of options to clear the zone Drysdale ended up taking a tripping penalty with 4:33 left to play. The Flyers hunkered down as Winnipeg moved the puck from side to side through the offensive zone looking for the kill shot. The penalty ran out with Scott Laughton pulling off a fantastic forecheck, eating up time in the Winnipeg zone.
Right after the penalty kill, with the Jets back on the attack Rasmus Ristolainen was called for a hook and the Flyers were short a man once again with only 2:36 left in regulation. Ristolainen had a very strong game up until that point leading his team with seven shots on goal. No one wants to take that penalty at that point in a tied hockey game. The Flyers bailed Risto out by completing their 14th successful penalty kill in a row. Fedotov played a big part in that effort at one point making a spectacular glove save on a Nikolaj Ehlers shot from point blank range.
Overtime
For the 2nd game in a row the Flyers were headed into overtime. Winnipeg had control of the puck for most of the five minute session. Fedotov continued to be the best player on the ice. He kept the Jets at bay and moved the puck well. Winnipeg set up camp in the Flyers end and skated in rotation moving the puck to the top of the slot over and over again. At one point it looked as if they may have had Fedotov dead to rights when Noah Cates made one of the best glove saves of the night.
Fedotov
Ivan Fedotov had not started a game since February 6th. More over he had not won a game since November 29th when he beat the Rangers in Philly on Black Friday. Think about that, you still had Thanksgiving leftovers in the fridge the last time the big guy went home with a W. Tonight he played what may have been his best game as a Flyer. He kept his team in this game even after it appeared his teammates were starting to wear down.
Shootout
February’s Rookie of the Month Matvei Michkov scored the only goal in the shootout. It was a slick move against one of the best goalies in the game. Michkov came straight in and slowed himself with the wide stance while moving the puck from forehand to backhand and into the net. It was a sleek looking move that left Hellebuyck defenseless.
Fedotov had one more save to make to win the contest. Just as he had done all night long he gave Gabriel Vilardi absolutely nothing to shoot at and the puck rolled on him while he was still searching for his shot. Ivan Fedotov played three very solid periods. He was a rock in the overtime. He was perfect in the shootout. What more could you ask for?
Next Up: The Flyers are off until Tuesday night when they faceoff against Joel Farabee, Morgan Frost, and the Calgary Flames in Philly at 7:00 PM.
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