San Jose, CA – The Flyers failed to make history in the Fin City. The Sharks were yet to win a game and had lost all 11 games to open the season, 10 out of the 11 losses in regulation. No team in NHL history has lost 12 games to open a season, the New York Rangers had an 11-game losing streak in 1943-44. The Flyers looked to bounce back as well, getting shutout in their last game against the Kings back on home ice and giving up 5 goals in the contest. The Sharks avoided history behind a strong goaltending performance from Mackenzie Blackwood.
A slow opening period for the orange & black. Not even 2 minutes into the game, Anthony Duclair put the Sharks on the board. A beautiful saucer pass to Duclair from Lablanc topped off with the top-shelf wrister, the lone goal in the period 1:43 in. A heavy penalized frame both teams going 0/2 on the man advantage. Nic Deslauriers dropped the mitts with Giavini Smith a few minutes after the goal, he took exception on the hit from Smith in front of the Sharks bench laid on Sean Walker. The Flyers outshot San Jose, 13 – 4 for the frame, despite trailing by one. The Sharks who are unfamiliar with leading, led after 20 minutes at SAP.Â
Philadelphia entered the frame on the man advantage but failed to convert on the power play chance. A period where the Flyers still had momentum and seemed to lose it late with a couple of penalties. Egor Zamula was sent to the box for interference, the Sharks matched it approximately 30 seconds later for some very short 4-on-4 hockey. Mario Ferraro drew a hold against Sanheim a minute later at 16:01. William Eklund took full advantage of the 4-on-3 power play, a one-time blast off the feed from Duclair at 16:18. Young Beezer, Joel Farabee put Philadelphia on the board, he netted their first goal in 106:23 of game time. The goal was originally ruled no-goal but after a look the puck was on the pad of Blackwood, bringing the Flyers back within one at 18:51.
Flyers had the chances but couldn’t get over the hump. Mackenzie Blackwood a stupendous night between the pipes for the Sharks. Philadelphia outshot San Jose 39 – 19, Blackwood just had all the answers stopping 38 of the 39 shots on net. The Flyers fall short 2 – 1 in the California road trip opener.Â
Sam Errson stopped 17 of the 19 shots he saw in net. Blackwood as said a stellar night with 38 saves on 39 shots.
Faceoffs played a crucial role, with San Jose winning 69.8% of draws.
Flyers look to bounce back this weekend after dropping 5 of their last 6 games. Wrapping up the Cali road trip, they pay a visit to Anaheim on Friday night the 10th followed by the Kings on Saturday the 11th.
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