Bumps in the road happen for everyone, whether it’s at work or at home. That’s just part of life. Everyone will have a bump in the road at some point or another, and athletes are no different. They are humans too, it’s the nature of the business. Fortunately, Hart fought through his first “Speed” bump.
Hart got off to a great start through his first three games of the season against the Chicago Blackhawks, New Jersey Devils, and the Vancouver Canucks. Multiple players have said, to include Sean Couturier following the Devils game, “Hart stands on his head for us. Hartsy’s making some big saves. He bailed us out a few times. That always helps.” These are some comments that give a Goaltender confidence, and makes them want to perform better.
However, Hart wasn’t himself throughout the course of the next three games. Well, people can lay that to rest, as Hart was good in a Flyers 4-3 victory in a shootout over the New Jersey Devils. For his efforts, Hart now owns a 3-3-1 record, combined with a 3.23 GAA, and a .867 Save Percentage. Not Carter Hart like numbers by any means, but MARK MY WORDS he will rebound. The majority of his problem appeared to be angle related, and becoming bigger in the net. It’s not major issues or flaws in his game, it obviously was corrected with working with Goalie Coach Kim Dillabaugh.
This young man has electrified the fan base, and has cemented himself as the guy between the pipes for the orange and black for years to come. Yes, Hart needed a breather against the Vegas Golden Knights, and the Chicago Blackhawks to recharge his battery. Elliott filled in admirably like a backup Goaltender should do, and played well. Let’s make no mistake about it, this is Hart’s net this year. There is no Goalie controversy in Philadelphia, Hart is the future of this team. Flyers fans do not panic, there may be another bump in the road.
Every young player will have their ups and downs. It’s just the way sports is. Every sports player at some point throughout their career has encountered a down, and yes even Carey Price fought through some downs in his rookie campaign. Hart wasn’t the sharpest in the last three games, but he was really good in his first three games. It’s a fact, Hart will have some bumps in the road, but that doesn’t mean people should give up on him.
Hart is the real deal, and he takes all the blame for a loss. That’s what good players do. Hart will continue to have a lot of highs, but some lows, as well. We as people just have to remember, he is just a 21-year-old human being, that is able to have some lows, as well.
Photo Credit: Zack Hill
