Photo Credit: Matt Slocum/AP
The Flyers penalty kill was flying a few weeks ago against the Dallas Stars. Between Travis Konecny and Sean Walker, the orange and black mounted a comeback down 2-0 and 4-2 on multiple occasions, due to their exquisite Penalty Kill.
With the Flyers down 2-1 after a Joel Farabee goal, Noah Cates stopped the puck at the blue line and fed Travis Konecny for a short-handed breakaway and Konecny. scored. It was a great play and the Flyers finished the second period tied at two a piece.
In the second period, the Flyers were trailing 3-2, as Samuel Ersson was a bit shaky. It also appeared he was fighting the puck. The good thing is he rebounded, made some nice saves to keep the Flyers within one.
Unfortunately, the Dallas Stars got on the board, increasing their deficit to two goals once again at 4-2. I wrote article after article this past summer stating that the Flyers would be competitive on most nights, and claw their way back into games. That’s what transpired, as Travis Konecny netted his second short-handed goals to pull the Flyers within one at 4-3. For his efforts, Travis Konecny becomes the seventh Flyer ever to tally two short-handed goals in a single game. The last Flyers to do this was Simon Gagne in 2008.
The orange and black weren’t finished as Sean Walker netted a short-handed goal late in the third period to even the score at four a piece. This was Walker’s second short-handed goal of the season. That is what he brings to the table, he’s not the flashiest defenseman offensively, but he does bring some finesse.
Walker has been a good addition to the Flyers blue line. He breaks up plays, is Gap control is excellent, and he rarely gets beat. Walker is in the final year of his $2.65 million contract, but he’s making the most of his value here in Philadelphia, while teaching the youth along the way, “Given the right opportunity and the right situation, I knew I could perform well and do well,” Walker said a few weeks ago.
It appears Walker is relishing his new role in Philadelphia well. He’s aggressive, he’s leading to play up the ice, he’s been good in transition. Walker will play in any situation the coaching staff asks, and he does it well. One underrated part to his game is his aggressiveness. He’s not afraid to stand players up at the blue line, and that is something that is lacked from the Flyers blue line for some time, “He’s been really good,” Tortorella said last week of Walker. “He’s been noticeable. He’s probably one of our most aggressive defensemen, taking a chance as far as getting your gap very early, and not waiting for them to cross the red line to get your gap.”
A good addition by Flyers’ General Manager Danny Briere, and to be quite honest the best addition to the Flyers lineup this season. Walker is flourishing in Philadelphia and he has tons of confidence, “Getting the opportunity. You play lots of minutes, you feel good, and your confidence gets higher. I’ve just been rolling off that, and feeling good.”
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