Photo Credit: FNG’s Rob Windfelder
12/11/2022, Mullett Arena, Tempe Arizona, 5,000 seat capacity.
The Arizona Coyotes defeated the Philadelphia Flyers in overtime by the score of 5-4. As you can ascertain from the final score it was not what you would call a defensive battle. The Flyers out-shot the Coyotes 41 to 29 in a wide open game full of odd man rushes and plenty of scoring opportunities for both teams. Some may describe this match as ‘sloppy” but it was quite exciting and a very entertaining game to watch. A little slop can be a lot of fun as long as it is not a one-sided romp, in this one the mess was spread around pretty evenly. The score was back and forth the entire game, neither team ever led by more than a goal.
Clayton Keller scored the first of his three goals at 12:46 of the 1st period. The Flyers opened the second period with two goals of their own. First Morgan Frost on a beautiful pass from James van Riemsdyk, then two minutes later Frost returned the favor setting up van Riemsdyk on a 2-on-0 break. It was a real solid game for both players to say the least. Next Keller and Jack Mc Bain scored for Arizona. Keller’s second goal of the night was the kind of goal you dream about, top shelf backhander, glove side on a breakaway. Owen Tippett scored the final goal of the period with assists going to van Riemsdyk and Frost. Just back and forth, back and forth, going into the third tied at three.
Nick Richie scored at 7:27 of the third to take the lead 4-3 and the score somehow stayed that way while the Flyers threw everything but the kitchen sink at the Arizona net. “Deja vu all over again”, the Flyers pulled Carter Hart for the extra attacker with 2:30 remaining in regulation. So far this season this move has been so very unsuccessful for the Flyers but tonight it paid off. Travis Konecny had so many great chances tonight that he was right on the brink of snake-bitten when he finally buried one at 17:43 of the third period. The assists on that goal went to who else? …Morgan Frost and James van Riemsdyk.
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The Flyers controlled the overtime totally, all the way up until they didn’t and Clayton Keller was right there to complete the hat trick with just 22.4 seconds left in the overtime period.
Extra Credit:
Arizona’s second highest scorer this season Shayne Gostisbehere logged 25:27 minutes tonight to lead his team in time spent on the ice. You may remember Shayne, the Flyers traded him and two draft picks to Arizona for a case of skate laces and half a tin of stick wax.
Arizona might have been the worst team I have seen all season.
And they still beat the Flyers.