Date Published: 1-9-2023
Photo Credit: Shaylah Rice
And boom just like that the Flyers four game winning streak has been halted by the Toronto Maple Leafs, in a 6-2 self-destruction loss at home last night. This was one of the first timed all season that the Flyers looked lethargic and gassed a bit. It could also be losing to a superior opponent, which made them look lethargic and gassed.
whatever the case may be, Carter Hart had a bad night for once. He eventually settled down in the third period, but his bad puck handling reared it’s ugly head again and it led to a Leafs goal when the Flyers were trying to climb their way back in it. It happens, these type of nights happen for goaltender. There is no reason to continuously blame Hart, as he is obviously saved the Flyers bacon more than once this season.
Morgan Frost had a decent game, aside from two brutal turnovers that led to goals. Other than those turnovers he looked strong on the puck, and he was board battling successfully. It’s really a shame that those turnovers made him look inconsistent, but the good thing is is he active communication between him and his Head Coach John Tortorella:
“That’s what he has to understand, if he doesn’t make something happen offensively and costs us going back the other way – find a way to save the day. Those are the things he has to learn. We talked about it, to be honest with you, we talked about it between periods, him and I. Okay, it’s not going your way, find a way to make a difference here in the third period. This is part of the process for some of our guys that have to go through it.” – John Tortorella
Frost elaborated, “I had to just go out and play hard in the third. Still wasn’t my best period, but just like I said, try and regroup. Another game tomorrow and forget about it.” He’s been playing well here as of late, but he realizes she has to be a consistent player regardless of the opponent. This is where the good communication comes in between he and Torts.
Travis Konecny netted his 21st all of the season last night, and he is now three shy off his career high of 24 with 43 games left to play. He also extended this point straight to eight games which is a career high, and Konecny has tallied 9g,6a during that span. Nic Deslauriers added his second goal of the season, as well.
Tony DeAngelo was pulled off the power play and benched for a goal allowed in the first period. He played one shift in the second period, and that was it for the rest of the game. I would not be surprised to see Justin Braun in the lineup for DeAngelo against Buffalo tonight, as Torts has mentioned Justin had to get back into a game soon.
All in all, the Leafs played keep away with the Flyers in the third period, as they really controlled the play. Most of Toronto’s goals were made because of space. Spacing was a problem for the orange and black last night, and Mitch Marner took full advantage of such. I’ve said this before you cannot give these great players space, they will make you pay eventually. The more time and space these players have to operate, it will come back to bite that team trying to defend more often than not in the end.
“Our structure defensively, time and space, sticks, they made a lot of plays through us. We weren’t sharp. We weren’t. We haven’t got spanked like that in a while, and we deserved it. Not only through self-destruction, but our positioning, just everything about our game defensively. We just weren’t on it.” – John Tortorella
Ed Snider Tribute
It was Snider’s birthday this past Friday January 6, 2023. There were video tributes, and during Pre-Game warmups the Flyers wore Ed Snider Youth Hockey jerseys. In addition, some students of the Snider’s hockey/education foundation were on the bench to take in warmups. Thankfully the Flyers did it right this season with honoring a great owner like the late Ed Snider.
