Photo: Rob Windfelder | Flyers Nitty Gritty
There were things that happened in this game that should not be overlooked simply because of the final score. Everybody wants to see the Anaheim Ducks come to town, nobody wants to see them leave with the W. But that’s exactly what happened on Saturday afternoon when the Ducks downed the Flyers by the final score of 5-4. We can either dwell on that fact or look for some upsides.
Michkov
Flyers winger Matvei Michkov has been on an absolute tear as of late. Saturday’s game was no exception. Michkov scored twice in this game it was his 2nd multi goal game of the season. He is currently on a five game point streak.
Power Play
It seems like it took the entire Delaware Valley yelling at the top of their lungs to get Michkov more power-play ice time. It’s been working out great so please, keep yelling.
The Flyers scored twice on the power-play today. They’ve scored 5 goals with the man advantage in their last 4 games. Michkov and Porter Martone have certainly been clicking. Martone had the other power-play goal vs the Ducks.
Michkov has been seeing the ice and his options like he’s playing in a different time signature than everyone else. As Saturday’s game wore on the Ducks were giving him more room to work with not less. He was playing crafty and wise with the puck and it was keeping the opponents from committing henceforth giving him more open space and options.
Communication
Michkov’s improved ability to communicate with his teammates has to be making things a lot easier for everybody. I’ve been watching Trevor Zegras and Michkov since training camp pulling each other to the side and breaking things down together. Zegras had two assists vs the Ducks and is currently on a 4 game point streak.
Shoot the Puck
Two firsts in Saturday’s game. The Flyers scored more than 3 goals in a game for the first time this season. They also recorded 32 shots on goal their highest total so far. It may seem like a stretch to be celebrating shots on goal. After suffering through the tragic nine game start to this season you know all too well how much difficulty the Flyers were having getting pucks to the net.
At the start of the season it was not uncommon for the Flyers to be outshot by their opponents, sometimes by double. I totally understand that shots on goal shouldn’t be a news story. The key word in that sentence is “shouldn’t”.
Joseph Woll
Something that we are not used to seeing is goaltender Joseph Woll having a bad day. Another first. Every goalie is going to have a game that he’d like to have back. Woll has absolutely earned one. Many a night he has been the silver lining. He has been rock solid between the pipes and the only reason the Flyers even had a shot in some of the early contests.
Murphy’s Law was truly in effect for Woll on Saturday afternoon. One goal was the result of a miscommunication behind the net. Another was a shot that hit the post and rebounded in off his skate. He made a couple difficult saves that just seemed to dribble through him after the initial stop.
However for anyone who came out simply to give Cutter Gauthier a hard time Joseph Woll supplied the day’s most enjoyable highlight. Gauthier received a pass at the wide open side of the Flyers net. Woll got his pad out to stop a shot that looked like a sure thing. Gauthier picked up his own rebound and had a golden second chance. Woll flashed the leather and shut the whole thing down with a stunning glove save.
Extra Credit: Tyson Foerster scored the Flyers first shorthanded goal of the season.
Next Up: The Flyers host the Columbus Blue Jackets Tuesday night at 7:00 PM.
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