Photo Credit: FNG’s Rob Windfelder
This was the Flyers next to last preseason game of the 2024/25 season. Both the Flyers and the Bruins suited up a roster that was pretty close to their presumed opening night squads. Brad Marchand and Hampus Lindholm were both making their preseason debut. Marchand spent the Summer recovering from multiple surgeries. Flyers head coach John Tortorella was also making his debut behind the bench. Everything was lining for a great night of NHL hockey. What followed was a very bizarre and frustrating event for the Orange and Black.
1st Period
The game opened up with a couple of really strong shifts by the Flyers top line. Sean Couturier, Travis Konecny, and Tyson Foerster had Boston frustrated in their own end. Boston could not put together a successful breakout against the trio. As the period started to take shape the ice started to tilt towards the Flyers end. Boston became more and more dominant as the game went on.
The Bruins were testing Flyers goaltender Samuel Ersson at an alarming pace. Ersson made several fine saves as the shot differential started to balloon out of control. Ten minutes in Boston finally beat Ersson with a tap in through the five hole. Justin Brazeau was all alone in front as the Bruins were moving the puck around in the Flyers end with ease. The goal was reviewed but it stood. The puck had just barely squeezed between Ersson’s legs and slowly slid over the goal line.
Boston went on the power-play with 3:50 left in the 1st period. They did not score but when the penalty expired it did not seem to make any difference. It was the type of night where you were counting white sweaters to make sure the Flyers had five players on the ice. The period ended with the Flyers down only 1-0 after being outshot 18-3. The exceptional goaltending of Samuel Ersson was the only thing keeping the Flyers in the game.
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2nd Period
Brad Marchand did not return to the ice for the 2nd period, nor did he return to the game. At game time the Bruins said this was due to illness. The Flyers were having trouble in their own end all night long. The Bruins were entering the zone at will. Eventually they were just carrying their entries all the way to the front of the net.
Halfway through the period the Flyers made the most of a rare successful break into the Bruins zone. Morgan Frost to Matvei Michkov. Michkov fired a wrist shot off the pad of Bruins netminder Brandon Bussi. The rebound went right to Konecny who fired it home. The Flyers had a couple power-plays to no avail. It was hard to believe that the game was going into the final period tied at one with Boston outshooting the Flyers 24-10.
3rd Period
To no one’s surprise Ersson was called on to start the final period and would play the entire game. The younger players who were possibly getting their final look in the line-up were doing themselves no favors. To be honest the only Flyer having a good night was their netminder.
Boston scored at 12:00 on the power-play. It was a great passing play. Tic, Tac, Tyler Johnson. Bruins take the lead 2-1. The Flyers had a few chances as they tried to pull themselves back into the game. With two minutes left in regulation they pulled the goalie.
On a night where you are absorbing so many shot while not dishing out many the risk when pulling the netminder is high. Boston scored on the open net 3-1. Ersson came back, then left again, and the Bruins finished the cycle scored again 4-1. The final shot count was Boston outshooting Philly 34-14.
Next Up: Flyers vs Devils Thursday October 3rd, 7PM in Philadelphia. This will be the final preseason game.
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