Photo Credit: FNG’s Rob Windfelder
For the Flyers it was their third game of the season all of which have been stops on a Western road swing. They came into tonight’s game 1-1, a win in Vancouver and a loss in Calgary. The Flyers looked a little gassed by the end of the loss in Calgary on Saturday night, but the score didn’t run away from them until the final period. It’s wasn’t the ideal situation but it’s not totally unexpected starting off the season with a ton of travel in a completely different time zone.
For the Oilers this was game four and they took to the ice looking for their first victory of the new season. The Oilers don’t have any of the Flyers excuses to fall back on. Edmonton has spent the week at home gettin’ whooped in their own barn. Winnipeg, Chicago, and Calgary combined to outscore the Oilers 15-3 over the past three outings. The Edmonton penalty kill has been specifically dismal. The Oilers are coming off a trip to the Stanley Cup Final last season so the Flyers were not facing a bad team tonight, just one that hasn’t been able to get things going so far.
Philly vs Edmonton
The Flyers got their first crack at the Oilers sagging penalty kill just over four minutes into the game. 45 seconds into the man advantage Owen Tippet worked his way into the zone and sent the puck towards the net. Michkov whacked away at the puck until it finally went past Stewart Skinner at the side of the net. The goal was reviewed to see if it actually crossed the goal line. Michkov seemed very confident that it had. After review the goal was allowed.
Not so fast
Play was immediately halted again as the Oilers challenged the goal to be reviewed for possible goaltender interference. After a prolonged review Edmonton was given a bench minor for delay of game and Matvei Michkov was given credit for his first NHL goal 4:47 into the 1st period.
Good Measure
With the Flyers back on the power play, Travis Konecny working down low got the puck to Morgan Frost who served it up to none other than Matvei Michkov who one timed it past Skinner short side from the bottom of the circle. No doubt about this one. Time of the goal 9:21. Less than ten minutes into the game the Flyers were up 2-0 on a pair of power play goals by Michkov. The Flyers were outshooting the Oilers 9-3 at that point. This was exactly the type of start the Flyers needed after Saturday night’s performance.
The Oilers seemed to score with just over four minutes left in the opening period. Flyers goaltender Samuel Ersson was sure that there was interference involved with the play and the on ice officials were in total agreement. The goal was waved off immediately and play resumed.
Second Period
The Oilers opened the second period with increased pressure in the Flyers end. Outshooting the Flyers early on Ersson was called on to make several saves. Adam Henrique eventually beat Ersson over his shoulder with a backhander putting Edmonton on the board.
The Oilers continued with their renewed sense of urgency peppering the Flyers net with pucks and erasing the Flyers 1st period shot advantage. Connor Brown scored Edmonton’s second goal of the night at 14:01 of the 2nd period. There were chances at either end of the ice but the Oilers were having the better of the period.
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The Flyers power-play which was so effective in the 1st period got its first crack of the second stanza at 16:08 when Brett Kulak went off for high-sticking Sean Couturier. Michkov had a nice drive to the net that ended up drawing another penalty giving the Flyers a 5 on 3 advantage for 40 seconds. Michkov had a post but no cigar going for the hattrick.
After the penalties expired and with only 13 seconds left in the period Bobby Brink put the Flyers back on top 3-2. It wasn’t super pretty, went in off a defenseman’s stick but it was a huge goal. The Oilers had a strong period, plenty of chances, and they even killed a few penalties, none the less the Flyers went to the second intermission with the one goal lead.
Third Period
Flyers head coach John Tortorella had 18 year old Jett Luchanko going up against Connor McDavid pretty much all night long. McDavid did not get a shot on goal until a few minutes into the 3rd period. Needless to say this would be no easy task for any player and the rookie handled it well.
Edmonton kept the pressure on and Ersson proved up to the challenge especially during an Oilers power-play with Travis Sanheim in the box for hooking Jeff Skinner. Tonight was Travis Sanheim’s 500th NHL game. Shortly after the penalty expired Troy Stecher took offence to Sean Couturier brushing Edmonton goaltender Stuart Skinner who gets a 10.0 for the dive. Stecher and Coots dropped the gloves and the round went to the Flyers captain. The ensuing faceoff found Corry Perry and Joel Farabee tossing hands.
With only 3:42 left in regulation Evan Bouchard tied the game with a wrist shot. The assist went to Connor McDavid. The Flyers had a couple of chances but neither team could put this thing to bed. It was after one in the morning East Coast time and this game was heading to overtime.
OT
Coots won the draw and skated right to the bench to be replaced by Michkov. Sanheim came close with a backhander but the puck went the other way with Connor McDavid coming in on a breakaway. Ersson made the initial save but Leon Draisaitl picked up the rebound and ended the game 56 seconds into the extra hockey.
This was a good effort by the Flyers. They allowed the Oilers to get their first win of the season but they did manage to get a point out of it. Three games out West, three points, and one more game on Thursday night in Seattle before heading home.
Extra Credit: Michkov and Luchanko were absolutely key in this game. They both brought a different element and it would not have been the same game for the Flyers without either of them. This is a new era.
