Photo Credit: Katelynn Reiss
A native of Charlottetown, PE, CAN, MacEwen stands at 6’3 and weighs 205 pounds. He is physical, and boy has MacEwen been a good staple in the Flyers lineup. He plays every shift like it’s his last, but today MacEwen fueled the orange and black to victory, with a rock ’em sock ’em fight with Tom Wilson. This fight in particular fueled Flyers fans:
MacEwen played 34 games with the Canucks last season, and of course he registered six fights. The guy can throw down the mitts with the best of them, in that may be the reason why Fletcher scooped him up. When you think of the Metropolitan Division you have the likes of Jared MCann, Ryan Reaves, and Tom Wilson. Now enter MacEwen, the Flyers had to match the toughness of the division.
MacEwen, 25, had registered one goal and three assists this season with the Flyers, and only has tallied seven goals for his career in the NHL. He is known for his hitting, grit, and just being a hard-nosed player to play against. MacEwen has quickly turned into a fan favorite here in Philly, and it has to do with him working hard.
Flyers General Manager Chuck Fletcher continues to revamp the team with physicality. He toom over a role that when healthy Samuel Morin would be utilized for.
This native of Canada in MacEwen is not afraid to stick up for his teammates, “Happy to have him on the team,” said Carter Hart following today’s game against the Washington Capitals. “Maccer (Zack) did a good job stepping up defending our teammates. Was a great tilly. He’s a tough customer. We’re real lucky to have him on our team.”
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That is what separates him from a lot of players. He can lay a big hit, and provides much needed energy when he is on the ice. MacEwen apparently does not take a shift off, and will do what is necessary to win the hockey game.
Risto’s Offerings
“Risto” has offered the Flyers another dimension, and that has been made evident this season as Ristolainen hits and gives the Flyers an element that they were missing for years. He was strictly responsible for Cam Atkinson’s goal as he pummeled a Capital in the corner, and it lead to a turnover to which Atkinson netted the goal to make the score 2-0. Risto was given an assist on the goal, “He was solid,” Carter Hart said of Rasmus Ristolainen’s play. “Good plays with the puck and was physical as well, and they got some players over there that are pretty tough.”
He has really lived up to his billing of smashing people into the boards, and it has led to some odd-man rushes the other way. For the season, he has registered 161 hits in 42 games played for an average of 3.83 hits per game. Holy moly, the Flyers have not seen this in years.
Moreover, Ristolainen has also played solid defensively, and has earned a call to the top pairing with Ivan Provorov at times. His gap control has been effective, and he has not blown many coverages and looks quite comfortable out there for the orange and black, “You always want to play against those top teams to see where you are at,” Ristolainen said earlier in the season.
“Risto” eats minutes, and that is what the Flyers needed, as he has averaged 21:00 of ice time per night this season. He pairs effectively with Travis Sanheim, as Ristolainen sees sort of a reduced role with the orange and black. Contrary to some belief, Ristolainen has played solid hockey while donning a Flyers jersey.
