Photo: Rob Windfelder | Flyers Nitty Gritty
The Flyers were in a 3-0 hole with only 2 shots on goal at the end of the 1st period. It was a Peanuts themed Halloween party at the arena but the boos at the end of the opening period had nothing to do with holiday spirits.
The 1st Columbus goal was a beaut. Kent Johnson with a perfect pass to Adam Fantilli for the dunk at the side of the net at 10:58.
Less than two minutes later. Kent Johnson deflected a Zach Werenski clapper as it whistled through a ton of traffic at 12:54.
Then at 13:44 Denton Mateychuk fired a wrister through traffic that beat Dan Vladar low blocker side. In less than three minutes of clock time Columbus created a three goal lead that the Flyers would be chasing all night long.
Columbus built that 3 goal lead on just 6 shots. They finished the 1st period with 7 shots on goal and ended regulation with just 13. The Flyers, on the other hand, managed 30 shots in regulation but could not overcome the Blue Jackets early lead. The opening period was eerily reminiscent of the team’s loosing streak at the start of the season.
Comeback
To their credit the Flyers did bounce back. They kept Columbus at bay while going on the offensive and getting plenty of pucks to the net.
Halfway through the middle period Porter Martone fired a shot at the five-hole of Cam Talbot. Talbot squeezed the pads but not quite tight enough. Noah Cates reached behind him to poke the puck into the net after it dribbled out from between the goaltender’s legs.
With just under 5 minutes left in regulation Trevor Zegras chipped in a rebound from very close range at the side of the net cutting the lead to just one goal.
The Flyers pulled the goalie for the extra attacker with just 1:21 left in regulation. Zegras entered the zone with the puck passing it off to Tyson Foerster at the right side of the net. Foerster passed across the slot to Jamie Drysdale in the blue paint for the redirect to tie the game with just 10.4 seconds on the clock.
Zegras is on a five game point streak. With a goal and an assist in this contest Zegras recorded his 3rd multi-point game of the season. He currently leads the team in points.
The Flyers were crowding the crease like crazy in this game. All three of their goals were scored from directly in front of the net. When your offense is struggling you gotta go for the greasy goals. And there’s always plenty of grease in the crease.
OT
The Flyers made two horrendous mistakes in the overtime session. Both led to 2-on-0 breakaways by the Blue Jackets. Dan Vladar managed to stop the 1st much to the delight of the Flyers faithful. Chants of “Vlady, Vlady, Vlady” filled the arena.
You don’t see netminders dealing with a two man breakaway very often. However in this case it was only seconds later that Vladar was back in the exact same situation.
The Flyers over-committed in the o-zone with an unsuccessful attempt that led directly to the game-winning-goal. Two Blue Jackets were once again streaking towards the Flyers net with no one back. This time Kent Johnson ended the game.
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