New Era Flyers Drop Penguins in Overtime

Photo Credits: FNG’s Rob Windfelder

When you think back on the history of these two teams it’s becoming important to put a few things into perspective. For fans who have been following the Flyers for a long time there are memories of the cross state rivalry that still seem like they just happened yesterday. The Penguins still have names on their current roster that are a big part of those memories. The Flyers do not.

The Flyers are a team in transition as opposed to the Penguins who have decided to stick with their core and ride it out. As the “new era” Flyers faced the veteran Penguins in Philly tonight Sidney Crosby was met with a chorus of “boos” every single time he touched the puck.

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Many of us vividly remember “the shift” where Claude Giroux sent Crosby flying with a check and then scored a decisive goal during that very combative playoff series. Tyson Foerster was all of ten years old when that all took place. We are expecting these young players to hold a grudge for us. To represent us in a war they may not have even been aware of before they got to town. …And tonight they did a bang up job of doing just that.

Philly vs Pittsburgh (rematch)

The Flyers beat the Penguins this past Saturday night in Pittsburgh. Tonight was the Penns chance to return the favor in front of the Flyers hometown crowd. Judging by the final score you may be under the impression that this contest lacked offense but that was not the case. This was in fact a very exciting hockey game with tons of chances and plenty of offensive showmanship from both teams. It just so happens both goaltenders were spectacular as well.

Hart

Carter Hart put up a solid performance in net for the Flyers tonight stopping 32 of 33 Penguin shots. Many of them being fine quality chances from the dangerous areas. At one point Hart absolutely stoned Crosby on a one-timer all alone in front. Hart likes to stay busy and excels when facing a lot of shots. He must have really enjoyed the last five minutes of the 2nd period. The Penguins seemed determined not to go into the 3rd period tied at one but Hart would not allow it. The Penns were swarming and Hart was a brick wall.

Crosby

Sidney Crosby scored the first goal of the game with less than a minute to go in the 1st period. That goal put him in sole possession of a stat he had been sharing with Mario Lemieux. Crosby has now scored more points against the Flyers than any other player in the history of the NHL. Add that to the list of reasons why he’s so popular here.

Foerster

Tyson Foerster tied the score 1-1 halfway through the 2nd period. It was his 5th goal of the season. Foerster seems to have found his groove as of late as far as scoring is concerned. He ripped a wrister from the top of the circle on a back and forth passing play with Travis Konecny.

T.K.

Konecny was an offensive wild man all night long. Pittsburgh netminder Alex Nedelikovic faced TK on a breakaway on three separate occasions. Nedelikovic played a fantastic game. The Flyers were throwing dangerous pucks his way the entire contest. He stopped 32 of 34 Flyers shots including many of them on the Penguins power-play. (yep, you read that right)

The Penguins power-play stats rival the Flyers. At one point the Flyers penalty kill unit had the Penns absolutely reeling in their own end. Pittsburgh could not get possession of the puck as the shorthanded Flyers completely overwhelmed them.

The Flyers played a physical game out hitting the Penguins 22-8. They got the better of them in the faceoff circle as well winning 55.8%, Head coach John Tortorella juggled his lines a bit and all players got quality playing time against the bigger names on the Pittsburgh squad.

Coots

Sean Couturier did the honors of scoring in overtime to lift the Flyers over the Penguins by the final score of 2-1. Both goalies continued to baffle everyone during the extra stanza until Konecny and Couturier skated in on a 2-on-1. Coots had just won yet another faceoff in the Flyers end. Konecny skated the puck into the Penguins zone. TK patiently waited until the time was right to slide the pass across to Coots who one-timed it over the glove for the game winning goal at 3:55 of the overtime period.

Extra Credit: It was great to hear the Farg so loud and full of Flyers Fans tonight. Is this what the “new era” is going to sound like? Let’s hope so. It was a great night for hockey in Philadelphia.