Flyers Emerge From Hectic Overtime and Shootout to beat Pittsburgh
In a game that the Flyers mostly dominated, it took all of OT and the shootout before earning the two points last night against the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Pens entered the matchup with a record of 7-2-1, with the ageless Sidney Crosby starting the season with 14 points in ten games (7G and 7A). It was the second consecutive shootout win against a Metro division opponent, and the finish was not without controversy.
Two minutes into the game, Flyers defenseman Noah Juulsen broke up a backdoor tap in opportunity with a physical play, which led to a 2v1 head manned by Matvei Michkov. Michkov opted for the shot which forced a solid save from Arturs Silovs.
The third pair defenseman had a solid first period, with two blocked shots and an additional goal-saving play. Penguin Ben Kindel skated out from behind the net to try and slam home a rebound, and the puck eventually was left sitting in the crease behind Ersson. Juulsen essentially smothered the puck in the crease by checking the forward down into the ice and puck until the whistle blew.
Owen Tippett was also noticeable in the first, and had a good chance at breaking the game open around ten minutes in. A shot deflected back off the boards back out in front, but Tippett’s attempt was blocked. Tippett was skating well in this one, and the Flyers clearly want to put him in positions where he can use his speed. When the Flyers start leaving their zone with Tippett on the ice, their strategy is to try and flip the puck through the neutral zone and see if Tippett can gain control with momentum skating at the defense.
The Penguins struck first scoring the first goal shortly after. Right winger Justin Brazeau made a deke around Konecny on the wing, putting a forehand shot on net that got through Sam Ersson on the short side. It's a good move cutting in from Brazeau, but it is a goal Ersson will want back.
After killing a penalty shortly after, the Flyers earned themselves a power play and were able to tie up the game 1-1. Head Coach Rick Tocchet started this power play with the second unit, and it paid off in seconds. Noah Cates received a pass at the side of the net (think JVR or Wayne Simmonds PP office) shielded the puck and then was able to get a shot off Pens goalie Arturs Silovs’ pads. The hands and balance Cates showed under pressure around the net was really nice to see. The rebound then kicked into the slot area where Bobby Brink jammed the rebound home. The line of 71-27-10 was on the ice again to finish the period with a strong shift in the Pittsburgh end.
The Flyers took the lead in the second period, courtesy of a clinical wrist shot from Travis Konecny. This was his second goal of the season, and 200th career NHL goal, which drew additional cheers from the home crowd at Xfinity Mobile Arena. The Penguins on the other hand, had a hard time getting anything going in the Flyers zone in the second period. Silovskept the Penguins in the game, making a big save on Tippett on an odd-man rush and making two saves in quick succession at the end of the period.
The Penguins eventually tied the game with under ten minutes left in the third period. Collectively, the Flyers had done a pretty good job of keeping Crosby and Malkin’s line contained at even strength, and it took a very flukey goal to break the deadlock. A puck passed out from behind the net by Crosby deflected offdefenseman Nick Seeler, then the post, then Ersson and found its way into the net. The Flyers could not capitalize on a powerplay a few minutes later, and the game went to overtime with Philadelphia outshooting Pittsburgh 32-22.
Overtime is where the game turned upside down. Cates was tripped behind the Penguin goal, no call was made. Kris Letang seconds later had himself a partial breakaway, where Trevor Zegras was then called on a slashing penalty. During the delayed penalty, the puck came out into the slot and the Penguins scored… but didn’t. The goal was called off due to a penalty called on Pittsburgh for an early substitution, as Silovs was not anywhere near the Pittsburgh bench when the extra skater hopped on the ice.
Under two minutes left in OT, the Flyers earned themselves a powerplay. Zegras entered the Pittsburgh zone, stickhandled at the line for second and then found a cutting Foerster entering the zone who ripped home the game winner… but didn’t. Right before the Flyers were about to start leaving the ice, the league reviewed the goal for offsides, and the goal was reversed.
Then a scrum ensued after the OT period ended, which resulted in multiple players being ejected with ten-minute misconduct penalties. Notably, Zegras for the Flyers and Crosby for the Pens were both ejected and not eligible for the shootout. After two great shootout goals from Michkov and Brink, the Flyers finally closed out the game winning 3-2. Two teams had goals that didnot count in OT, and had penalties dealt between overtime and the shootout. Not something you see pretty much ever.
The five game homestand has started off with two wins, with the Flyers facing the Nashville Predators next on Thursday night.
- Tyler Grace/Olde City Sports Network
-Photo: Jessica Hess/ OCSN