Photo Credit: FNG’s Rob Windfelder
Former Flyer Anthony Stolarz was in net for the visiting Ducks and was greeted with a ton of pucks courtesy of his old teammates. The Flyers outshot the Ducks 17-4 in the 1st period and for the most part Stolarz held them at bay. Kevin Hayes was looking like he had just bought himself a one-way ticket to the dog house with a giveaway at the end of a 5 on 3 Flyers power play. The puck ended up on the stick of the player exiting the penalty box springing him in on a breakaway. Sam Ersson held tight and play quickly went back the other direction. Hayes immediately cashed in his ticket with a wicked wrist shot from the circle that beat Stolarz glove side. Although the Flyers ran the period, swarming at times, they went into the first intermission up by only one.
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The Ducks opened the scoring in the 2nd with a goal from the doorstep that they had all night to set up. The Flyers were out of position and watching as the play slowly took shape directly in front of the their own net. Right after delivering an almost comical hit Rasmus Ristolainen reclaimed the Flyers lead scoring on a breakaway shorthanded. Scott Laughton sent Risto on his way with the puck, he backhanded it high blocker side. The Flyers have a very aggressive plan on the penalty kill this season and it has been an improvement to say the least. It is a much different approach for them, pressuring the points and always looking for for an odd man rush the other way. This strategy causes the other team to always be in a rush with the puck even though they have the man advantage. The Flyers lead the league this season with nine shorthanded goals.
With just 37 seconds left in the second period JVR passed from behind the net to Morgan Frost who used that between the legs shot that has become a thing over the past few years to navigate a tight spot and squeeze the puck into the net. It was the most efficient use of that move that I have seen, he really did not have the room to pull it off any other way.
“I don’t know you guys see me in practice. Sometimes I do a lot of dumb stuff out there in practice, that kind of silly stuff. I guess once in a while, it’ll work. So try not to do it too much, but when the situation arises and it’s something that I’ve practiced before, then I’ll use it.” – Morgan Frost
The Flyers went into the third period ahead in shots 30-12, they were buzzing the Ducks net all night. When Ersson was tested he stood tall, this game was never close after the first period. Kevin Hayes scored two more goals in the third to complete his first career hat trick. His second goal of the night was a tick-tack-toe from Laughton and Allison. The third was an empty netter from center ice. The Ducks had a meaningless goal in the final moments, final score 5-2. Travis Konecny had a couple assists on the night. Risto landed some enthusiastic hits, Ersson was solid, and Zack MacEwen won his fight hands down. Once again a good night for the Flyers who have really turned things around as of late.
Extra Credit: Nope, not even gonna mention that Boston game. Holy cow.
