Flyers goaltender Samuel Ersson got his 3rd consecutive start in the Flyers net as they played the final match of their three game road swing against the best team in the NHL. Ersson’s confident glove crisply snapped up the first Colorado shot on goal. A good sign.
Ersson faced a game’s worth of shots in the 1st period. Colorado outshot Philadelphia 17-7 in the opening period and the Flyers goaltender was sharp and effective. The Avalanche spent much of the opening period on the attack and not giving the Flyers much time or space to settle in. However the Flyers did make the most of their opportunities.
Tippett on a Tear
The game was scoreless until 15:02 of the 1st period. Owen Tippett with a great individual effort picked up his own rebound off a defensemen’s shin pad and ripped a wrist shot past Avalanche goaltender Makenzie Blackwood. The puck thunked off the back bar of the net top shelf and echoed throughout the silenced arena. Denver Barkey and Cam York picked up the assists.
With 1:03 left on the clock and the Flyers on the power-play it was Tippett to Michkov to Barkey who dinged the puck into the net off the far post. After the Avalanche dominated the period the Flyers skated into the first intermission up by two goals.
Go to the net
The Flyers got their only other man advantage of the game early in the second period. They did not score but they were very aggressive getting to the Colorado net. At one point Christian Dvorak went into and over the Avalanche goaltender. Bobby Brink recently returning from injury was more than willing to take all the heat that comes along with setting up camp in front of the net.
Towards the middle of the period the Flyers started to lose composure a bit in their own end and Colorado was quick to sting them not once but twice. Parker Kelly at 7:17 and Victor Olofsson at 10:29. That quick the Flyers lead was gone. The defense was scrambling a bit. Ersson’s positioning was good but it was not enough to keep Colorado’s snipers off the board.
Get it back
As they so often do the Flyers hit back to regain the lead just 32 seconds after the tying goal. Bobby Brink had himself planted in that coveted real-estate right in front of the net. Noah Cates made the pass to Brink who lifted the puck up and over Blackwood at 11:01.
This game was turning into a tug of war. Cal Makar beat Ersson with a beautiful wrist shot from the dot sending this game into the 3rd period tied at three.
Deja Vu all over again
Watching this lead slip away was reminiscent of Wednesday night’s loss in Utah. The Flyers took a commanding lead in that game before falling apart and losing in overtime. The Flyers are still trying to distance themselves from the six game losing steak that proceeded this road trip. Utah found ways to take advantage of the Flyers fragile confidence. Colorado did not.
Less than a minute into the final period Owen Tippett stormed into the Colorado zone with the puck. The defense peeled back opening the gap and Tippett fired a laser high glove side for his second goal of the night.
Matvei Michkov deflected an Emil Andrae shot into the exact same corner of the net to give the Flyers a two goal lead less than two minutes into the final period. Garnet Hathaway picked up the secondary assist.
The Avalanche were banging at the door looking to get back into this game. Barkey picked up a high-sticking penalty. The Flyers have allowed 10 power-play goals in the last 6 games. They needed to keep Colorado from getting one here, …they did better than that.
In a play that looked like a carbon copy of Travis Konecny’s two goals in Vegas Owen Tippett picked off a point to point pass in the Flyers zone. Tippett stole the puck and was on his way, using his speed to go in on a breakaway from his own blue line.
Tippett went five-hole to score the unassisted shorthanded goal that completed his hattrick. The Flyers had the best team in the NHL down 6-3 with 9:36 left in regulation. Colorado came into this game 34-5-9.
Samuel Ersson returned to the stellar form he exhibited in the opening period. In a desperate attempt to get something going Colorado started pulling their goalie in and out of the net with 4:43 remaining on the clock.
Close it out
In yet another hat tip to the Utah game the Flyers took turns missing shots at the empty Colorado net. Finally Konecny gave the puck to Michkov who finished the job scoring his second goal of the contest. And setting the final score 7-3.
Standouts
Owen Tippett was the #1 star in this game. He had three goals and an assist and he was where ever he wanted to be all night long. Dominant.
Matvei Michkov was determined and aggressive picking up two goals, an assist, and a team leading 5 shots on goal.
Denver Barkey with a goal and an assist. Sam Ersson had a strong game.
Emil Andrae has a second gear that he uses strategically and effectively. He’s developing into a solid NHL defenseman. He also moves the puck well and contributes in the O-zone. Good stuff.
Up Next: The Flyers return home to face the Islanders Monday night in Philly after picking up 5 out of a possible 6 points on this road trip.
Check out our Flyers Nitty Gritty Store
Cool Matvei Michkov merchandise
About Author
