PHILADELPHIA, PA - OCTOBER 09: Goaltender Brian Elliott #37 of the Philadelphia Flyers makes a save during the game against the San Jose Sharks at the Wells Fargo Center on October 9, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Drew Hallowell/Getty Images)
Flyers training camp feels like a long time ago. Brian Elliott said, “This was the best I felt in a few years,” following the third day of practice. Elliott was tabbed as Carter Hart’s mentor when Chuck Fletcher re-signed him in the Summer, and boy has he been loose between the pipes for the Flyers this season.
Fast forward to game 16, and Elliott is rock solid following a 3-2 shootout victory to the Toronto Maple Leafs last night. A darn shootout victory for the Flyers in as many weeks. Who would have thought Elliott would be a key part to the Flyers early season success, with a current record of 9-5-2. Elliott is leading by example, and when Hart struggled for a few games a few weeks ago. “Moose” stood on his head, and bailed out Hart and his teammates.
When healthy Elliott is a solid, good goalie. The problem is he hasn’t been able to stay consistently healthy while donning a Flyers sweater. Elliott is not the spring chicken he used to be. He can no longer be counted on as a starting Goaltender in this league, and one that can play in 40-45 games in a season. However, what Elliott can be is be a solid backup netminder for the young phenom in Hart, and play when called upon by Head Coach Alain Vigneault.
For the season, Elliott is 4-2-1, with a 2.88 GAA, and a .909 Save Percentage. Not Vezina Trophy numbers by any means, however, these are solid numbers for a backup netminder. These are the numbers Fletcher thought the Flyers would receive when he re-signed “Moose” in the Summer. He provides great leadership to his teammates, and Carter Hart in particular.
Elliott won’t kill a person with his stats, but when healthy he is as good as they come. He has been exactly what Fletcher ordered when Elliott was re-signed in the Summer. The “Moose” is loose in Philly, and it appears to be rubbing off on his teammates.
Flyers Notes:
Jakub Voracek needs one goal for #200.
Photo Credit: Getty Images
