Michkov mania has been rampant for the past few months throughout the Philadelphia region and abroad, for good reason. Michkov played in his first game as a Flyer, unofficially since it doesn’t count, technically speaking. However, it did bring out the Flyers fan base, and he impressed, with his slick hands and skating abilities.
With Michkov, it brings out scouts. The Pittsburgh Penguins, Utah Hockey Club, Vancouver Canucks, Boston Bruins, Montreal Canadians, Vegas Golden Knights, and the Buffalo Sabres were the other organizations with scouts in attendance. Believe it or not, former Flyer and Phantom Neil Little represented the Montreal Canadians organization.
The Desnoyers-Luchanko-Michkov line has a great first period. They cycled the puck well, and kept the New York Rangers on their heels, just about everytime they hit the ice. Alexis Gendron netted the game tying goal at the end of one, but this was a period for Michkov. Michkov’s puck retrieval, nastiness to his game (As he dropped two Rangers to the ice), and edge work behind the net cannot be taught. He’s crafty
Sawyer Boulton is playing for a spot, and he is physical. The Flyers had to be physical, as Michkov even got wrapped up at one point.
And he scoressssssssss, Michkov with his first as a Flyer. Moments before the goal, he was facilitating the Power Play, as players were huddled up.
Oliver Bonk had a great game too, not only facilitating the Power Play, but he’s never out of position. He bolts up the ice with speed, and feeds his teammates in transition.
In the end the Flyers seemed destined to lose, but Massimo Rizzo ties it at 3 with 14 seconds left. The Flyers did wind up losing 4-3 in overtime, but Michkov scores in his first game as a Flyer, so it was a success. Below he talked about scoring his first goal was a Flyer following the game:
