Flyers Week 1
The Philadelphia Flyers are 2nd in the metro after week 1 but we’re not getting ahead of ourselves just yet, there are finally just some good looks from this team. The pre-season wasn’t the most successful in the NHL for the FlyGuys, with 1-4-1 record but they came to play come opening night.
Opening night against the Devils, we sent OCSN live and Delco Dive’s Sheik Meah, for his debut in the press box and what he experienced, “Has Torts finger prints all over it” - Anthony Varrasso of Flyers Alley.
With Wade Allison, Travis Konecny and Morgan Frost all netting goals and Provorov, DeAngelo, Laczynski, Hayes and JVR all with assists, this team looks like it has a pulse again. The physical play has increased as well with the additions of Nicolas Deslauries, Tony DeAngelo along with the Human Torpedo, Wade Allison, this team seems to be resembling some Olde School Flyers Hockey.
Nothing would change for their 4pm game against the re-built Vancouver Canucks. This game was a little more evenly matched compared to the New Jersey Devils game 2 nights earlier in the week. I will admit, the Flyers and Devils were in the same boat before the season began, with not having an identity established, having some newly acquired roster bodies but the Flyers, in my opinion, have pulled away from that demographic after the win over the Canucks.
The game was the same day as the Phillies NLDS win over the Braves and you could feel the vibe in the sports complex of Broad and Pattison. The jumbotron, at one, point had the Phillies next door on it but soon changed back to the Flyers game at hand with the Canucks. The crowd, being who they were, let out a boo when the Phillies were switched off, swiftly cheering again when the screen switched to split screen of the Phillies and the Flyers at the same time. The energy in the Wells Fargo Center was electric for the Phillies but once they sealed the deal against the Braves, that energy was focused on the Flyers once again. It’s been a long time since the Well has felt the love from the fans for the Philadelphia Flyers and pushed that love into “LET’S GO FLYERS” chants that shook the building. It was a rough 1st season in the press box for me last season and this game made up for that.
The Flyers ended up beating the Canucks 3-2 in regulation, which is the opposite of the story from last year. Tony DeAngelo assisted by Jvr and Kevin Hayes, Scott Laughton assisted by Travis Konecny in the 2nd period, gave a breath of life into this game. Soon after, in the 3rd period, Nicholas Deslauries energized the crowd with a much anticipated tilt with Kyle Burroughs, being the victor of the bout and with that crowd pleaser, Travis Konecny takes matters into his own hands assisted by Ivan Provorov, netting the game winner.
The first week of Flyers Hockey is in the bag and to be honest with you, these two games have already made up for the entire 2021/22 season. The vibe is better and the fans are starting to feel something again for the Orange and Black. There’s a new feeling in The Wells Fargo center as well as the Flyers locker room but that’s not enough. The new slogan this season is “Fueled by Philly” and the team needs the city to believe in them and believe in John Tortorella to make this culture and city back to the Days of Old. We’re not going to get the “Broad Street Bullies” back, there’s no replacing those men of legend but we could have something very close to that demographic. This coming week, we have both Florida teams and I think we could break off the Panhandle and keep this streak going. You just have to have a little faith and I have tons to spare. Let’s Go Flyers!
Jesse Bell - Flyers Alley/ Delco Dive/ Olde City Sports Network
Cover Photo - NHL.com
