Photo Credits: FNG’s Rob Windfelder
The Philadelphia Flyers 19-13-6 hosted the Columbus Blue Jackets 13-19-8 last night in what could have been a bounce back homecoming for the Orange and Black. The annual holiday trip out West was not very kind to the Flyers and this was a chance to get back on home ice and shake it off. Both Cam Atkinson and Morgan Frost were healthy scratches. Samuel Ersson got the start between the pipes. There was a real solid turn-out of vocal Flyers Fans on hand and the mood at the rink was upbeat. This place was ready to go.
Philly vs Columbus
The Flyers were clearly favored in this game being the home town team with a much better record. The Blue Jackets approach was aggressive and in close. They were whipping pucks through the Flyers crease hoping to hit traffic or just catch a break right on the doorstep.
The Flyers had the better of the period outshooting the Jackets 14 to 6. Travis Konecny had the only goal with just 2:48 left in the period. Working hard along the boards Sean Couturier sprung the puck free to Joel Farabee. Farabee threaded a perfect pass to Konecny at the side of the net and all he had to do was tap it home.
Looing good
The Flyers dominated the scoreless second period. By the end of the 2nd the shots were 27-14 in favor of the Flyers. Philly was doing everything right but they weren’t finishing. They looked like they were having an easy time with Columbus. Doing almost everything they wanted to with the puck except for scoring. Daniil Tarasov was playing a fine game in net for the Jackets but that was not the problem.
The Flyers just seemed to not have a sense of urgency. They were almost toying with Columbus in the offensive zone. It would come back to haunt them that during a portion of the game where they were so dominant they were opting for the extra pass instead of jamming the puck down their throat. The period ended with the Flyers still only up one to nothing after dominating two periods and controlling the pace of the game.
All Star
Travis Konecny was chosen to represent the Flyers in this year’s NHL All Star Game earlier in the day. It was absolutely the right choice. Over the past two seasons it is hard to imagine the team without TK’s skill, tenacity, and leadership. He has been a force to reckon with and a key factor in his team’s success.
Four and a half minutes into the 3rd period Konecny scored his 20th goal of the season to put the Flyers up 2-1. This was the breathing room the Flyers needed. Farabee and Couturier picked up the assists again. TK deked the stick right out of Jake Bean’s hands before he willed the puck passed the Columbus goaltender.
Giving it right back
This happens much too often. Less than a minute later the Blue Jackets scored their first goal of the game. It was now a one goal game again and Columbus was playing like they had nothing to lose. The Flyers 2nd period was coming back to haunt them. They should have struck harder when they had control of the game. They were like a cat that had been bouncing a mouse around the kitchen floor only to watch it get back under the stove to regroup.
Columbus scored again to tie the game with 9:40 left in regulation. At this point the Flyers were lucky to get through regulation with the tie. Both teams had some nice chances in the overtime period and Columbus ended up winning in the shoot-out.
For the Flyers this was definitely one that got away from them. It was theirs for the taking and the killer instinct never clicked in. It is hard to sum up. They played a really good hockey game. They dominated the play and lost the game.
Next Up: Flyers vs Flames Saturday afternoon in Philly 1:00 PM
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