Philadelphia goaltender Dan Vladar once again was the standout as the Flyers beat the Blues in overtime by the score of 3-2. This is the second time in less than a week that it took more than sixty minutes for these two teams to settle things. The Flyers won 6-5 in a shootout last Friday night in St. Louis.
Photo Credits: FNG’s Rob Windfelder
Vladar
The Blues scored twice in the 1st period before Flyers netminder Dan Vladar shut the door and never looked back. Justin Faulk scored both St. Louis goals. A top shelf blocker side blast at 5:31. And a one timer from the circle on the power-play at 12:08 and that was it.
Vladar was flawless from that point on. He snapped right into his routine. He was challenged several times during the contest. His ability to reposition himself after making key saves kept the Blues at bay for the duration.
At one point Vladar lost his mask and could not get a whistle. It was the second time this season that he has been in that situation. Just like the last time this happened he squared himself to the shooter staying dedicated to his position despite his lack of protection. This time he hugged the post as a shot sailed wide and hit the boards before the on ice officials noticed his naked face. Gump Worsley would have been proud.
Abols
This game slogged along through the 2nd period until Rodrigo Abols got the Flyers on the board. Owen Tippett was up against the back boards behind the net when he slid a crafty between the legs back pass to the front of the net. Abols wasted no time putting it away in the St. Louis net.
The Flyers were creating chances but were having difficulty getting pucks on net. The Blues carried the lead into the 3rd period. Neither team was dominating, it was anyone’s game. Abols goal came just at the right time 17:57 into the 2nd period giving a glimmer of hope going into the third.
Foerster
Things continued to look iffy until Emil Andrae set up a one timer by Tyson Foerster who unleashed a blocker side laser that sailed past Blues goaltender Joel Hofer. Andrae was moving the puck well all night.
The game remained tied at two for the final 8:21 of regulation. It was not for the lack of trying. Dan Vladar made save after save to get his team to the extra stanza. He stopped 27 of 29 shots and was .931 on the night.
With under a minute left a strange bounce off the boards deep in the St. Louis zone found Travis Konecny all alone with the puck at the side of a gaping wide open net. Perhaps surprised by the golden opportunity he missed by a mile and this game was headed to overtime.
Travis Sanheim
St. Louis controlled the puck for opening minutes of the extra stanza much to the chagrin of Flyers Fans who let the Blues have it every time they left the zone with the puck to regroup. Finally with 1:09 left in OT Travis Sanheim stepped up to bring the house down.
Taking a pass in the Flyers defensive zone from Travis Konecny Sanheim charged the length of the ice. He started from behind his own blueline and carried the puck with speed and confidence into the St. Louis zone.
When Sanheim taps into his full potential he is a bona fide NHL caliber threat. He needs to carry that kind of confidence on a regular basis. He pulled off this end to end rush with such determination the game winning goal that capped it off seemed almost like a foregone conclusion. Flyers win 3-2.
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