The Flyers New Generation 2.0

The decade between 1980-1990 is considered the New Generation for the Philadelphia Flyers. With the departures of Reggie Leach, Rick MacLeish, Bob Kelly, Jimmy Watson, Andre Dupont, and Bobby Clarke by 1984. It was time to bring in new blood. With the likes of Tim Kerr, Brian Propp, Pelle Lindbergh, Dave Poulin, and none other than Mark Howe, in came a new generation of Flyers. 

The new generation were not shy of struggle. They had seasons of early playoff knockouts. For four years, they were kicked out of the playoffs early. Three of those four being in the first round, however, they eventually made it to the second round, but never made it to the third round. After their short playoff adventures, Bobby Clarke retired in 1984. He stayed with the organization by becoming their General Manager and Vice President. 

In 1984, Mike Keenan became the new Head Coach. He would then crown Dave Poulin as the teams Captain. The Goaltending of the late Swedish goaltender of Pelle Lindbergh, led the NHL in the 1984-85 season with 40 wins. That would award him the Vezina Trophy and make him the first European to win the trophy. With the 1984-85 season in full swing the Flyers had a franchise-record of 53 wins. They had returned to the Cup Finals by sweeping the New York Rangers, went on to beat the New York Islanders in five, defeated the Quebec Nordiques in six. They faced the defending Cup Champs, the Edmonton Oilers. While the Flyers won the first game of the series, Edmonton won the next four, en route to another Cup victory. 

The following season after Pelle Lindbergh was killed in a car accident. The Flyers showed strength and team spirit and another 53 win season, to which they also owned the best record in the Wales Conference. 

The 1987-88 season was the start of a slow downfall, but they managed to finish third in the Patrick Division. Excitement hit when Ron Hextall became the first goalie to score a goal. He shot the puck all the way across the ice for an empty net goal against the Boston Bruins. However, hard times hit when Mike Keenan was fired as Head Coach after their playoff downfall. The Flyers had blown a 3-1 series lead over the Washington Capitals. After that Paul Holmgren became the first former Flyer to be named Head Coach. In the 1988-89 season, they pulled off an upset versus the Capitals by knocking them out in six games. Hextall became the first goalie to ever score a goal in the playoffs, as he notched yet another empty net goal. That was the season they made the playoffs for 17 straight seasons, and ithapoened to be their last until 1995. 

Now that you have read about the New Generation. I would like to present you to what I think is the New Generation 2.0, and the defining moment of the 2.0. With Claude Giroux, Sean Couturier, Nolan Patrick, Travis Konecny, Carter Hart, and Kevin Hayes to name a few. Despite Hayes not being a part of this Flyers extravaganza, I think this game proves the potential of what I think is the New Generation 2.0, The 2019 Stadium Series.

The Battle of the Keystone State, hosted by the Flyers in the city of Brotherly Love. The Flyers had a rough start to the season, to which former Flyer and General Manager Ron Hextall was terminated, and that was just the beginning. Two weeks later head coach Dave Hakstol was fired due to a 12-15-4 start to the 2018-19 season. Scott Gordon was then hired as interim head coach from the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. 

Creeping back up in the Metropolitan Division, the Flyers were the host of the Stadium Series. The game was nothing short of the aggressive and physical play that Philadelphia is known for. Especially, when it comes to their rival, the Pittsburgh Penguins. With goals, penalties, questionable hits, fights big and small-left and right, the game was something to remember, and be proud of if you’re a Flyers fan. 

Of course, first on the board were the Pittsburgh Penguins, Captain Sidney Crosby opened up the scoring. However, that didn’t rattle the Flyers, as Sean Couturier put them up on the board next. Goals continued to be scored left and right, and quite frankly both teams lit up the score board throughout the night. 

However, it was not until late in the first period when things got personal. The Flyers pride and joy, Wayne Simmonds made a hit on Pittsburgh’s Brian Dumoulin. The debate still stands between the Pens and Flyers fans on whether or not it was a clean hit. Head coach of the Penguins Mike Sullivan claims Simmonds left the ice for a dirty hit. While, Simmonds claims Dumoulin was reaching. Simmond’s left skate did leave the ice, but it looked as if it was not intentional. Simmonds served a two minute unsportsmanlike conduct penalty, along with Kris Letang, served by Patrick Hornqvist. Dumoulin did not return to the game. Things then got physical, and rightfully so. You stick up for your teammate no matter what happened.

The second period only saw one goal by Pittsburgh’s Justin Schultz making the score 2-1. With a hit on Evgeni Malkin from Nolan Patrick, that apoeared to get the roster off the bench and the fans going. Certainly that lit a little fire under the Flyers skates to keep them moving forward. The second period was also followed by legendary chirping from none other than Travis Konecny. 

The third period saw more aggression, but the Penguins tallied another goal making it 3-1. That’s when Flyers fans may have begun to lose a little hope. However, a clutch tip in by James van Riesmdyk with 3:04 left in the third sparked some life back into the Flyers as this made it 3-2. With 20 seconds left in regulation, Czech Republic born Jakub Voracek marvelously tied the game. He did that with Brian Elloitt pulled late in the third, in favor of the extra attacker. Forcing an overtime was the only option to win this game for the great city of Philadelphia. 

Anticipation ran through the bodies of hockey fans everywhere. This was sure a nail biter. Travis Sanheim passed to Patrick, Partrick passed to Claude Giroux. The Captain held on all the way from the neutral zone en route to Matt Murray. Giroux weaved his way around Justin Schultz only to shoot and score, and that was the moment the stadium erupted in pure chaos and happiness.

If there is anything this game has taught me from watching it over and over again. It is that, no matter the circumstances the Flyers will always persevere. A rough start to a game or season won’t necessarily worry them. They will always find a way to bounce back, and this current Flyers reminiscent of that fact.