As of this writing we are well into December and the Philadelphia Flyers are tied for 2nd place in the Metropolitan Division. Who could have seen this coming? Of course it could all come crashing down at any moment but that is always the case with everything in life so enjoy it while it lasts.
Tonight the Flyers took on the Washington Capitals. This game was a slow burn to say the least. During the 1st period both teams were having trouble getting pucks to the net. The checking was tight and caution ruled the day. The teams seemed to be feeling each other out and waiting for the other to make the first mistake
The hits keep coming
The Flyers out-hit the Caps 21 to 15. There were some great hits throughout the game. Halfway through the 1st period Garnet Hathaway was penalized for an “illegal check to the head” against Nic Dowd. The reaction to that check from the Washington bench could be heard throughout the building.
The best hit of the night was thrown by Rasmus Ristolainen on Joe Snively. It was a clean hit up against the boards and Risto timed it just right. Snively didn’t go flying or anything thing like that . He just condensed into the boards, then his legs just crumpled out from under him. He deflated like a holiday lawn ornament when the plug comes out.
The most amusing hit of the night was accidental friendly fire between two Washington Capitals. Martin Fehervary took a spill in the Flyers end and slid right into the legs of Alex Ovechkin who also went down to the ice, much to the delight of the crowd at the Farg. Ovechkin did not register a point on the night.
Bobby Brink scored the first goal of the game 2:14 into the 2nd period. Marc Staal took a shot from the point Brink picked up the rebound and put it up and over sprawling Caps goaltender Charlie Lindgren.
Giving it right back
Forty-six seconds later Connor McMichael tied it up after an unfocused breakdown in front of the Flyers net. Before the period was over Tom Wilson scored on the power play to put the Caps up 2-1 going into the 3rd.
Shoot the puck
The Flyers did a whole lot of passing during the game. It was as if the entire team adapted a “pass first” mentality for the night. Often the Flyers traded chances to go at the net for the opportunity to make just one more pass instead. The Flyers ended the 2nd period with a 5 on 3 advantage where they spent much of the time passing around the perimeters and behind the net. Every time the puck went from player to player the crowd yelled “shoooooot”.
Even at even-strength Philly was taking that extra second to make sure there was not an open passing lane before taking shots. This just gave Washington time to be totally prepared and in position when a shot was finally fired.
Message sent
Five and a half minutes into the 3rd period Joel Farabee took the advice of the Flyers Fans. He got control of the puck behind the Capitals net and without hesitation he brought it out front and jammed it into the net. This tied the score at two.
Dylan Strome scored 9:05 into the 3rd to regain the Capitals one goal lead. Aliaksei Protas took the initial shot. He broke his stick on the play and didn’t get all of the shot. Dylan Strome was right in front of the net to help the puck along its way.
Owen Tippett scored the tying goal at 17:01 of the 3rd period. As soon as he gained control of the puck at the top of the slot he took a turn-around shot which seemed to catch everyone off guard as it made its way through traffic and into the net.
OT
It has become the new era of overtime. The Flyers have been playing a whole lot of extra hockey so far this year. Washington controlled the play for most of the overtime period. They kept dropping back and regrouping keeping tired Flyers trapped on the ice.
Shoot-out
Sean Couturier scored on the first shot of the contest. He came in clean and kept it simple. T.J. Oshie was the first player to score on Samuel Ersson during a shoot-out this year. Oshie made such a deceptive move on Ersson that he didn’t even need to take a shot. He just kind of guided the puck into the net.
Brink!
Foerster and Strome both had their shots stopped. Bobbie Brink was the next shooter. Brink cut far to the right as he skated the puck towards the net. As he was cutting cross ice Lindgren went for the poke and missed. Brink was so calm and reserved as he skated the puck towards the open net at first it was not apparent if he or the goaltender had maintained control of the puck after their brief encounter. It was in fact Brink who came away with the puck as he tucked it into the gaping net.
Anthony Mantha was the last player to have a crack at Ersson and Sam was up to the challenge. This was the Flyers and Ersson’s 3rd shoot-out win of the season.
Extra Credit: Many Flyers fathers were still on hand for tonight’s game and posed for a photo with the team after the shootout victory. Smiles all around.
Hello flyersnittygritty.com owner, Thanks for the well-organized post!