Ivan Fedotov played well against a very good Toronto team this past Sunday night. The Maple Leafs solved Fedotov enough for a 3-2 victory in overtime, but he made quality save after quality save.
Fedotov just appears to be more confident, and maybe it was his pre-game routine.
“He was put into a tough spot tonight, high marks for him. I thought he played really well.” – John Tortorella said Post-game
It was an unbelievable game for Fedotov. Sports are weird that way, and Fedotov prevailed. He was placed in a tough spot following the injury to Samuel Ersson, and bad play by Aleksei Kolosov. Credit goes to Fedotov for staying sharp, and being ready over the course of the past month or so. I mean his last start before that was December 5, 2024, which was 31 days from this past Sunday’s start against Toronto.
Believe it or not, Fedotov followed up Sunday’s quality start, with another good one last night. Fedotov just doesn’t look rattled anymore, rather he’s confident and in control of the game. He’s actually moving post to post very well, believe it or not.
Maybe, just maybe he has figured out the speed of the NHL. He’s not young for being a rookie by no means, but he’s a rookie by playing years. Yes, the orange and black lost last night 3-2 in regulation, but with Owen Tippett missing a wide open net with about 40 seconds left in the game, it sort of feels like the Flyers got a point. Kudos to Fedotov, and the five playing in front of him for putting forth a good game.
“It feel really good, the more you play, the more you feel the puck,” Fedotov said following the game. “We need points, we need wins, everybody wants to win. But keep going, next game will come and be ready.”
“We did not expect this,” Flyers’ Head Coach John Tortorella said before the game. “When Carter left that threw this into turmoil. We thought We would have more time with Erss and develop him. With his injury problems as of late. It’s turned into even more of a situation.” Thankfully, Fedotov is playing well at the right time, to give this goaltending situation a better outlook.
Once seen as a number three Goaltender a week ago, now Fedotov moves up to the starting role, with the snap of a finger. There is always a goaltending situation in Philadelphia, in some way shape or form.
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