Flyers Beat Rangers in Rookie Series Game1 Recap

Flyers Rookie Camp made its way to the PPL Center in Allentown on Friday night to face off against the New York Rangers rookie squad. This was literally the second on-ice day of rookie camp so when we are watching a game like this we are not judging structure and systems.

It’s more about getting a chance to watch this group of players as they rely on their instincts and the fundamentals that have been instilled in them. Things like skill, energy, speed, and hockey IQ are what’s going to jump out.

Early Uphill Battle

The squad came out with plenty of jump but found themselves in a two goal hole less than five minutes into the first period. Flyers goaltender Carson Bjarnason did not have the start he was looking for. On the first goal there was a defensive breakdown that left him facing a shooter all alone in the slot. The second goal at 4:34 was a soft shot from the circle.

From that point on Bjarnason started to settle in and looked more and more confident as the game progressed. There was no more scoring for the rest of the period. As time was running out things started to get a bit chippy. Jack Nesbitt was sure to make his presence known. He’s a big physical player. He does not back down or shy away from the gritty areas or confrontations. He’ll plant himself in the crease and withstand the heat for doing so.

2nd Period

NY Ranger Corbin Vaughan was eager mix things up with anyone wearing Orange and found a dance partner in Jacob Gaucher. It was a quick bout and Vaughan got the better of it but Gaucher showed his dedication and got his team fired up.

The Flyers got on the board 3:07 into the middle period. Tucker Robertson slid a cross slot pass to Denver Barkey who buried the puck high blocker side to cut the deficit in half. Barkey looked sharp, fast, and crafty all night long.

The Flyers turned a short-handed situation into a tied hockey game 6:16 into the second period. Karsen Dorwart took control of a loose puck and went charging up the right hand side. He threaded a pass to Alexis Gendron who rang one in off a pipe. There was a slight delay before play was whistled down so the on ice officials could review the shot. After discussion the shot was ruled a goal (which it was) and the game was tied at two.

The Flyers rookie squad’s first powerplay looked hauntingly familiar due mostly to some really fine forechecking by the Rangers penalty killers.

The Rangers took the lead back on a high blocker side shot from the slot. As the period was winding down Ranger Corbin Vaughan was still looking for trouble and boy did Sawyer Boulton give it to him. Boulton landed a number of shots before throwing Vaughan to the ice. Both players were sent straight back to the locker rooms. Boulton antagonized the Rangers bench on the way by and was sure to rile the fans on the way out.

The Flyers ended the period on the power-play and it was a treat to watch. Again, we’re not judging systems just the players instincts and ability to work with each other. The line of Barkey, Dorwart, and Alex Bump was a treat to watch and gives you hope for the future.

3rd Period

Flyers goaltender Carson Bjarnason opened the period with three huge saves including back to back breakaways. After starting the game allowing two goals on the first two shots Bjarnason’s play in the final period of regulation kept his team in this game.

Midway through the third Devin Kaplan dazzled his way into the Rangers zone with total control of the puck. He had the Rangers defense staring as he moved cross ice before delivering a perfect pass to Jacob Gaucher who sent it home to tie the score at three. Gaucher had two-thirds of the “Gordie Howe” going.

Bjarnason continued to hold the door shut as the Flyers outshot the Rangers 33-24 in regulation sending this game into overtime.

OT

The Flyers started the extra stanza with the feisty trio of Bump, Barkey and Ethan Samson but it was Nikita Grebenkin who scored the sudden death game winning goal. Karsen Dorwart picked up his second assist of the night.

The official three stars of the night were 3) Gaucher 2) Barkey 1) Grebenkin. Flyers win the first game of the Rookie Series by a final score of 4-3.

Extra Credit:

Rematch Saturday night in Allentown. Puck drops at 5:05 PM.

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