Photo Credit: FNG’s Rob Windfelder
And the Philadelphia Flyers 2024-25 season is officially underway. The Flyers traveled to Vancouver to take on the Canucks. Great expectations and much curiosity surrounding two very young Flyers rookies will keep them under the microscope as the season starts to take shape. Matvei Michkov and Jett Luchanko took a dual rookie lap before the game got underway.
Michkov the much talked about 19 year old rookie from Russia was on the wing for the first shift of the game. Michkov has a promising future in the NHL and tonight was the beginning of it all. Sean Couturier centered the line with Travis Konecny and Michkov on the wings. Konecny hit Michkov with a pass in front, the Canucks broke up the play and iced the puck. A new chapter in Flyers history had officially begun.
First Period
There was no lack of action in the 1st period most of it ended up involving Flyers goaltender Samuel Ersson who had to be sharp as a tack. The action was lopsided during the first half of the period. Ersson was called on to make several difficult saves and proved to be up to the challenge.
Jett Luchanko had a solid debut. He was involved in the play, winning faceoffs, and looking confident with the puck. Jett who is barely 18 years of age surprised many by making the team right out of camp after being drafted by the Flyers in the 1st round this past Summer.
We got an early look at the Flyers penalty kill as Michkov got his first look at the penalty box. Ersson was key to the kill. And in typical Flyers fashion Poehling sprung Konecny on a breakaway. Konecny was denied by Kevin Lankinen as he attempted to take a backhander five hole. Konecny’s speed and craftiness makes him a danger on the penalty kill where he scored six short handed goals last season.
With 7:05 left in the period Nils Hoglander finally found the solution to Samuel Ersson giving the Canucks the 1-0 lead. The Flyers had a breakdown in their own zone creating a turnover that led to a clean chance in front. Hoglander took full advantage of the opportunity.
Power Play
A few minutes later we got our initial look at the Flyers power-play. The second unit collaberated to create a beautiful passing play. Keeping the momentum moving side to side. Bobby Brink went cross ice to Joel Farabee who again went cross ice to Tyson Foerester who dunked it short side from in close.
The Flyers power-play is something that has to improve this year. The ability to capitalize with the man advantage could have been the difference in so many games last season. This first goal of the year coming on the PP could be an encouraging sign of things to come. The score was tied at one after 20 minutes of play.
Second Period
At 14:42 of the 2nd period the Flyers again went on the power-play. They put on a ton of pressure and had several great chances. As the man advantage was running down Joel Farabee missed a wide open net. This was a really strong power-play for the Flyers. This man advantage had everything but something to show for it.
Special teams were making the difference for the Flyers. Their second penalty kill was flawless holding Vancouver without a shot on goal. Unfortunately no sooner were the teams at even strength when the Canucks took the lead again. Hard work in the Flyers end by Vancouver’s forth line kept the puck bottled up in the offensive zone. Eventually Teddy Blueger deflected a point shot behind Ersson at 8:35 and the Canucks were up 2-1.
Third Period
The Flyers went into the final period of opening night down by a goal but looking pretty evenly matched against their host. Michkov and Luchanko both seemed unfazed by the pressure and the pace of their NHL debuts. At times Flyers head coach John Tortorella had them playing on the same line thus showing his high level of confidence in his young players.
Delayed Reaction
Flyers defenseman Cam York tied the game at two 2:48 into the final period with a laser from the slot. The puck was in and back out of the net so quick that the Canucks were on their way into the Flyers zone with the puck when the horn finally went off. Poehling and Hathaway picked up the assists.
Midway through the 3rd the Flyers had another shot at both the power-play and the penalty kill racking up offensive chances during both and finally taking the shot advantage for the first time in this contest.
Michkov and Luchanko continued to play shifts together and had back to back chances that saw them both coming so close to notching goals in their first game. Michkov became more and more dangerous as the night went on. And Luchanko showed us he could get right back on his skates after getting floored by a “welcome to the NHL” collision with his head down.
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With just 32 seconds remaining in regulation Igor Zamula had a near tragic turnover in the Flyers zone that led to a near game ending chance by the Canucks. Ersson remained solid as time ran out and the game went into overtime tied at two.
Overtime
The five minute overtime session was full of back and forth play, Owen Tippett had a nice chance but no go. Tyson Foerster and Travis Sanheim ended up trapped on the ice in desperate need of a shift change for the final two minutes of the overtime period. Vancouver managed to keep the Flyers bottled up in their own end but Ersson managed to keep the Canucks at bay.
Shoot-Out
The shootout saw an excellent performance by Flyers netminder Samuel Ersson who was key all night long. Finally Jake DeBrusk beat Ersson over the blocker meaning Konecny had to score to keep them in the match. Konecny came in fast and beat Lankinen five hole to keep the contest alive.
The entire session was a fine goaltending exhibition at both ends of the ice. Finally Morgan Frost had a chance to win the game as the 10th shooter. Frost swung in wide from the left side just barely maintaining the mandatory forward motion before unleashing a wicked wrist shot that beat Lankinen glove side. Morgan puts the frosting on the cake as the Flyers celebrate their first win of the season just past 1:00 AM East Coast time.
The Flyers are right back at it tomorrow against the Flames in Calgary. Another 10PM faceoff. Take a nap.
