Photo Credit: Rebecca McCormick
The Flyers just cannot put forth a 60 minute complete effort, and with John Tortorella looking on I’m sure isn’t happy with the on-ice product. Unfortunately, the Flyers were blanked yesterday 4-0, but it’s how they lose is the main problem.
They came out firing on all cylinders, with no goals to show for it, but the effort was there in the first period. The orange and black had the territorial edge after one with an 8 to 2 shot advantage. Kevin Hayes, by no surprise was one of the Flyers best players. He really came into camp in great shape, and Hayes looks like the old Kevin Hayes.
Then the wheels on the bus started to fall off. The old Boston Bruins with maybe two regular forwards in their lineup obliterated the Flyers in the second. Yes obliterated, the Flyers had the more veteran heavy lineup so this should not have taken place. The Bruins outshot the Flyers 13 to 5 in the second period, as they hemmed the Flyers in their zone time after time. They also lead 2-0 after two. When is enough-enough of this stuff happening. Yes it’s only preseason, but Tortorella’s system is supposed to come forth, regardless of who’s on the ice or in the lineup.
The orange and black played a lackadasical third period and that led to a 4-0 beatdown. It gets old after a while, again pre-season or not it just appears that the Flyers continue seem disinterested at times. This is become very frustrating for many fans, and that is one reason why fans have not been able to warm up to this team for the past few seasons. Unfortunately, this is one major disconnect between the Flyers and their fan base.
Can the Flyers have anything good?
Felix Sandström, by my accounts was one of the top players to land the backup goaltending position to Carter Hart. Sandström left after the first period, and did not return to action. The Flyers original goal was for him to play the first two periods, and have Troy Grosenick play the third period.
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Per General Manager Chuck Fletcher, Sandström did not return to game action, as he sustained a lower body injury.
Sandström came into camp in great shape, with one goal in his mind, win the job. He put forth an excellent pre-season, so I’m really hoping this isn’t serious. If he remains out for an extended period of time, look for Samuel Ersson to possibly win that job, believe it or not. The Swedes stand supreme for the backup goaltending position. This is just a really unfortunate injury, and the Flyers cannot catch a break with such.
Ersson will get the start tonight in Long Island at 7:00 pm with Pat Nagle backing him up.
