Photo Credit: FNG’s Rob Windfelder
It’s Family Day in Canada so what better way to start today’s festivities than with a good old fashioned fist fight between the Flyers Nick Seeler and Calgary’s Dennis Gilbert 1:21 into the 1st period. Cover the kids eyes it’s hockey time! The Flyers had a nice solid period thanks in big part to goaltender Sam Ersson who was called on numerous times to make the big saves. Ersson looked strong and confident taking up a lot of space in the net and answering the call when the chips were down.
It was a good period of hockey with both teams getting their share of chances. Travis Konecny continued his post dry spell tear scoring the first goal of the game. DeAngelo to Cates, then to Konecny who moved the puck into the slot. He momentarily looked like he might lose control then got a grip on it and ripped it passed Jacob Markstrom. Shots on goal were dead even in the 1st. Part of that is due to the Flyers blocking 8 shots before they even had a chance to reach the net. After the past few games the Flyers really needed to come out strong and they did.
Power Kill
At 5:22 in the 2nd period Cam York took a tripping penalty that led to an exciting string of events. The Flyers had one of those offensively dangerous penalty kills which is something we haven’t seen for a bit. The Flyers had the Flames back on their heels. At one point there was a flurry in front of Calgary’s net with the puck just laying on the goal line. I am sure that was not the power play the Flames were expecting. Scott Laughton got the puck to York as he exited the box. York fed the puck to Nicolas Deslauriers who was charging the net. Nick deflected the pass top shelf glove side to put the Flyers up by two.
Shortly thereafter Mikael Backlund got one passed Sam Ersson unassisted. It was a heck of a shot. The Flyers once again found themselves shorthanded and once again as the penalty expired they took the puck down the other end and jammed it into the Calgary net. Tony DeAngelo ripped a wrist shot from the top of the slot putting the Flyers up by two. Konecny picked up the assist on the goal. Ersson had another really strong period with a few really big saves. The huge downside of the period was Travis Konecny took a hit behind Calgary’s net that sent him up the ramp to the locker room and he did not return for the rest of the game. It is being reported as an upper body injury which in Flyers World could mean almost anything.
The Flames were really taking the edge in shots on goal when Tyler Toffoli netted one at 4:38 into the 3rd period. Calgary kept the pressure on and it proved unsustainable for the Flyers defence as Andrew Mangiapane scored to tie it at three. John Tortorella called his time out and what ever he said to his team Wade Allison was paying attention. Allison had a solo rush where he did everything but will the puck into the net. Seconds later James van Reimsdyk found Allison in front of the net where he tapped it home. Smiles all around. Calgary was really swarming and this goal calmed their storm a bit.
Protecting the lead
This game was not out of action yet. The Flyers were clinging to a one goal lead against a very aggressive Calgary team. They did their best to keep the Flames away from their net in the final moments with their net minder pulled for the extra attacker. The Flames ended this game with a big advantage in shots but Ersson was up to the challenge. The Flyers really needed this win and they got it. They looked much more like themselves battling back and holding the line. They would not have had this win without Travis Konecny’s offense, hopefully the news is not too bad on that front.
