Photo Credit: FNG’s Rob Windfelder

The Flyers stun Vancouver with a flurry of 2nd period goals that proved to be too much for the Canucks to come back from. When this game started the Flyers were 18-11-4 the Canucks were sitting at the top of the West with an impressive 23-9-3 record. This was the first game back for both teams after the NHL Holiday Break. Samuel Ersson got the start tonight for the Flyers. Vancouver’s number two netminder Casey DeSmith was in the net for the Canucks. This was the first game of a back to back which will take the Orange and Black to Seattle Friday night to face the Kraken.

Philly vs Vancouver

The Flyers have a couple bad habits that they really need to kick. One of them is taking pointless penalties when they are on the power-play. Other than that the Flyers came out with jump, outshooting the Canucks early on, and generally keeping pace with the 1st place team. Vancouver was starting to establish some sustained possession halfway through the opening period when Scott Laughton created an excellent chance for himself. Scott stole the puck just inside his own blue-line and skated the length of the ice with it. He was denied by DeSmith as he ran out of room and the net was knocked off it’s moorings.

With four minutes left in the 1st Laughton came dangerously close again just missing out on a wrap around attempt from behind the net. DeSmith got a leg out just in time to beat Laughton to the open side of the net. The Flyers top line of Couturier, Konecny, and Tippett put on some fine pressure during the final minute of the period yet the two teams went into the 1st intermission locked in a scoreless tie.

Second Period

Vancouver is a real dangerous second stanza team. They are a plus-26 in the 2nd period so far this season. Midway through the period Joel Farabee was called for interference giving Vancouver their first full man advantage. The Canucks managed a few chances on net but Ersson proved to be up to the challenge. With 5:42 left in the period the Flyers got their 2nd power-play chance of the contest.

Bing bang boom

Bobby Brink got things moving right away throwing pucks at the net. The Flyers power-play looked lively. Egore Zamula scored on a wrist shot through traffic from the blue-line. One minute and twenty-one seconds later the Flyers scored again. Owen Tippet to Sean Walker who beat DeSmith far side.
Right after the Flyers went up 2-0 Bobby Brink broke up a play at the red line and the puck went right to Joel Farabee who skated in on a breakaway. Farabee made a nifty move, selling DeSmith on a backhand that was not forthcoming then nonchalantly sliding the puck past him on the forehand. Just like that the Flyers had scored three goals in the span of two minutes and six seconds against a team that has become accustomed to owning the 2nd period. Vancouver head coach Rick Tockett looked none too happy about the Flyers good fortune.

There was a lot of hard work by the Flyers to take that 2nd period. Vancouver had the pressure on. The Flyers had to fight for pucks, battle along the boards, and work for every square inch of free ice. The Canucks love to load up the traffic in front of the net. Ersson did a fine job tracking pucks and guiding rebounds out of the dangerous areas.

Up Three into the third

The Flyers started the third up three zip against the highest scoring team in the NHL. This was no time to let up. The Canucks were going to come on strong. Twenty-three seconds in the Flyers scrambled, Travis Sanheim lost a foot race, and Teddy Blueger beat Ersson from the slot. Seconds later Vancouver came within inches of scoring again.

Ersson may have over extended his lower body on the Vancouver goal and during a stoppage of play with just over 17 minutes left in regulations Carter Hart took over in the Flyers net. The early diagnosis on Ersson from the Flyers locker room was dehydration. Which if correct is great news for the team.

T.K. M.I.A.

At some point early in the 3rd period Travis Konecny disappeared from the Flyers bench. According to John Tortorella, Konecny is battling a bug that is going around. Tortorella said it is not injury related. Bobby Brink was filling in his spot on the top line.

A Shortie

Cam Atkinson retaliated after a clean but successful check on Joel Farabee by Noah Juulsen 4:51 into the third . With the Flyers down a man Ryan Poehling got control of the puck and ran it up the side boards and into the zone. He found Garnet Hathaway with a perfect pass alone in front of the net. Hathaway scored a shorthanded goal after picking up his own rebound and beating DeSmith on the second effort. The Flyers were back up by three goals 4-1. Before the Vancouver power-play was over Carter Hart was called on to make a huge save. As the teams returned to even strength things began to settle in a bit.

Close the deal

The Flyers with a three goal lead and an ice cold goalie had no reason to take any chances. They played a safe and effective second half of the 3rd period. The Flyers took their time with the puck and maintained control as they ran down the clock. The were getting chances but not pushing things. There was no reason to. Vancouver looked resigned to their fate. For all intents and purposes this game was over and they knew it. Carter Hard did not look at all cold when tested as the Flyers quietly suffocated the best team in the league. The Flyers came back from the holiday break with a bang and it was stunning.

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