Photo Credit: NHL.com
The scorching hot Pittsburg Penguins came into town to host a defeated Philadelphia Flyers team that seems to have lost all credibility among the local fanbase. With such high expectations, the Flyers have let down most of the fans, but looked to build some trust back with a big win against their biggest division rivals. Expectations were not high, but opportunity laid ahead of them to steal the show.
In the first period the Flyers got off to a very good start with several chances in tight against, Pens net-minder, Casey DeSmith. DeSmith made an incredible save at the side of the net on Kevin Hayes. Which later, upon further review, turned up crossing the goal line and Flyers finally stopped their horrible habit of giving up the first goal in every game. And Kevin Hayes finally showed some life on a lifeless second half of the season. From there, the Flyers took over the game as they ended up scoring on their second powerplay opportunity, with a blast from the point by Shayne Gostisbehere, a player who seems to be coming back to his old form as the season continued. He still leads all Flyers defenseman in goals on the disappointing season with 9 overall. Then later in the period Claude Giroux scored off a terrible turnover by the Pens that had the stadium standing on their feet.
The second period started off with more of the same energy as the first. Where Wade Allison scored his second of the season about half way through the period. It was so great to see Allison scoring so early in his NHL career. He might be a newcomer, but he’s 100% of age to be an impact and has the talent to be a mainstay on the team for years to come. Hopefully he can continue having success against rival teams. He’s a physical player with a scoring touch and that is something they lack on the wing. The Flyers continued to press hard int he second period and ended up with a 37 to 22 shot advantage after two periods, but headed into the third period down a man. If the Penguins were going to mount a comeback, it would be using that momentum to enter the third period.
The Flyers were able to kill off the remaining time on their second period penalty, but then shortly after took another penalty that lead to the first Penguin’s goal of the night. A momentum swing that a fragile team didn’t want to see. Even with a 4-1 lead and 17:30 left in the game, it still makes fans uneasy for a team that hasn’t been able to stop goals all season. Shortly after Nolan Patrick made a great play to get himself a breakaway, but was stopped in tight by Tristen Jarry, who came in to replace DeSmith after the second period. Shortly after the Flyers gave up another penalty that put the Penguins on the powerplay again. This was not the best way to hold a lead. Later Kevin Hayes had an opportunity on a breakaway and Joel Farabee got called on a goaltending interference call following up the play. A call that left the entire stadium scratching their head as to why the call was made. The Penguins ended up capitalizing at the very end of the penalty to cut the lead in half. At this point, it felt like the refs were handing them the game. However, not long after Joel Farabee got his revenge on a sweet pass from Jake Voracek to put the Flyers back up by three and took a commanding 5-2 lead in the third period. Another empty net goal by captain Giroux and Flyers were able to go home happy. Throw in a very late goal by Robert Hagg to make it 7-2 and they can go home thrilled…No one expected this one. Las Vegas odd makers should be pissed.
It was a wild game that was reminiscent of the successful season of the past year and a large moral victory for a team that hasn’t been able to create its own luck. Flyers will look to finish out the season strong and hope they can carry that momentum into a hard working offseason. However, on this night they can also send the fans home happy.
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