Flyers Convincing Win Over Avalanche

The Flyers suited up a very young roster due to a long list of injuries and skated away with a convincing win over the Avalanche. Colorado is the reigning Presidents Trophy winner and certainly not an easy team to play against. That’s makes two wins in a row for the hosting Flyers. This is a big turnaround after dropping 9 strait to start the season, a franchise record.

Philly was missing Travis Konecny, Owen Tippett, Tyson Foerster, Rasmus Ristolainen, Cam York, and Nikita Grebenkin all due to injury. That gave way to call ups to Oliver Bonk, Hunter McDonald, Jacob Gaucher and the NHL debut of Cole Knuble.

Philly vs Colorado

The Flyers got on the board first on the power-play 7:41 into the 1st period. Trevor Zegras fired a puck from the left circle that was redirected on net by Denver Barkey. Avalanche netminder Mackenzie Blackwood made the initial save however the rebound went right to Matvei Michkov at the side of the net. With Porter Martone screening just outside the blue paint Michkov fired the puck into the open side of the net.

The play was followed by a long review to see if Martone was guilty of goaltender interference. Martone was eventually acquitted of the infraction. This caused Colorado to be penalized again for the delay. The Flyers now rested power-play unit remained on the ice to start the next man advantage.

2nd Period

The Flyers coverage in their own end was much improved in this contest. The Avalanche controlled the puck with prolonged possessions in the Flyers d-zone for much of the middle period. However the Flyers kept Colorado to the perimeters offering much support for their goaltender Joseph Woll who put together another outstanding performance.

At 12:23 into the period is was Matvei Michkov again lighting the lamp to give the Flyers a two goal lead. Michkov took the puck from the top of the slot down around and behind the net. He came out from the other side back around to the point and then eventually firing the puck from his original position.

His shot beat Blackwood just over the pad but under the glove from the top of the slot. The assists were ceremoniously awarded to Zegras and Cates even though Michkov had toured the entire o-zone with the puck before shooting it.

Colorado pulled back to within one with just 2:08 left in the middle period. The Flyers had just killed off a penalty when Martin Necas wristed a rocket top blocker side from the top of the circle. 2-1 Flyers.

3rd Period

Noel Acciari restored the two goal lead 6:34 into the final period. Trevor Zegras passed back to Oliver Bonk at the right point. Bonk teed up a slapper that broke Acciari’s stick on the way to the net. Trevor Zegras assisted on all three Philadelphia goals. 3-1 Flyers.

With just 5:20 TJ Hughes put the Avalanche back in the running. Burying a fortunate rebound with Woll committed to the other side of the net. Final score, Flyers 3 Colorado 2.

Matvei Michkov was the first star of the night. He logged 14:37 in ice time, scoring two goals, and being offensively dominant in this contest. He was on the ice for almost all of the last two minutes of regulation with the Colorado goaltender pulled.

All The Young Dudes

All the young guys looked good in their call ups. You had dads and family in the stands and plenty of responsibility on the ice. During the later moments while protecting a one goal lead you still had the line of Bump, Barkey, and Knuble taking shifts with Bonk and Sanheim back on D.

Knuble had a gutsy play going for the net and paying the price but making it back up ice to be effective on the backcheck. Hunter McDonald delivered a very satisfying check to Cale Makar along the side boards that is worth watching at least a couple times. They all held up, they all did well, and the Flyers earned their second consecutive win.

Next Up: Flyers vs Sabres in Buffalo Wednesday night 7:30.

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