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Carter Hart was just spectacular for the most part in just his first full season for the Flyers. Harttacular posted a 24-13-3 record, with a 2.42 GAA (8th best in the league), and a .914 Save Percentage. What more could one expect from a 21-year-old in just his first full season in the NHL. At home he was lights out accumulating a 20-3-2 record, 1.63 GAA, and a .943 Save Percentage. Simply put, Hart proved he was the franchise Goaltender the Flyers have needed since President Reagan was in office.
Hart was on fire in his last five games until the season was halted due to the Coronavirus, as Hart posted a 2.00 GAA, and a .929 Save Percentage. Talk about heating up at the right time for the playoff push. It was his net, and his to lose at that point in the season. However, no one could have expected a suspension to last this long, and it is the longest Hart hasn’t been on ice in his life, “It felt great to get back out there,” Hart said yesterday, “Nice to see the boys again. Just felt nice to be out on the ice. Don’t have much ice back home. This is the longest I’ve been off the ice in my whole life.”
Hart was clearly leading the charge to the finish line. He worked with Goalie Coach Kim Dillabaugh on cutting down his angles, and he has also become bigger in the net. This was all very noticeable from February until the season was halted. Hart had cat like reflexes, as he moved post to post with ease. He was just so darn confident as he makes glove save after glove save. Hart was also rarely rattled it appeared, “I think it’s important to get ready to go when training camp comes,” Hart said, “We have the right group. I think we will play one exhibition game before the round robin tournament.”
This young man in Hart has electrified the fan base, and has cemented himself as the guy between the pipes for the orange and black for the foreseeable future. Most fans knew he was special, but it was great to see him flourish down the stretch in big playoff like atmosphere games, but this will be a little different than anyone is used to when the hockey season reconvenes. Hart knows he has stay focused, but have fun in the same token, “I think it will be different at first with the bubble life, but we have to do it. I’ll be bringing my PS4 for sure (Laughing). I’m not a huge gamer, but I did play with the boys during the pause.”
Hart is the real deal, and he takes all the blame for a loss that’s what good players do. Hart will continue to have a lot of highs, but some lows, as well. We as people just have to remember, he is just 21-years-old with just so much potential.
