Vladar and Andrae difference makers in comeback win against St. Louis
After a four-day break in the action, the Flyers returned home to take on St. Louis for the second time in the span of a week. Last Friday, the Flyers had to come back from a 3-1 deficit to beat the Blues 6-5 in a shootout. Last night, the Flyers had to overcome another two-goal deficit, with Travis Sanheim ending the game in overtime before another shootout could be reached.
The orange and black started off the game with good energy coming off of their extended hiatus, controlling most of the play through the first five minutes. During this nice start, Blues defenseman Justin Faulk was able to score against the run of play, then scored again on a Blues powerplay seven minutes later. The score was 2-0 St. Louis after one period, with Faulk scoring his third goal against Philly this year in two games.
Flyers fourth line center Rodrigo Abols was arguably the most noticeable Flyer besides goaltender Dan Vladar in the second period. The fourth line as a unit had one of their best nights of the season in terms of effectiveness, and Abols had multiple chances in this one. Abols had a few shots earlier in the second and finally broke through for his first goal of the season. Trevor Zegras did good work along the boards getting the puck down low to Owen Tippett, who fed a sweet backhand pass to Abols in front. A huge goal for the Flyers with around two minutes left in the period to cut the deficit to one goal.
In the third period, it was both goalies who kept the game from ending in regulation. Midway through the third, Bobby Brink fed a pass across the crease to a wide open Zegras, who was then promptly robbed by Blues netminder Jim Hofer and then the goalpost. Zegras rocketed a one timer off the post a minute prior during the same powerplay. Shortly after, the Flyers found their equalizer in a ripper of a shot from Tyson Foerster. Travis Konecny fought hard net front to keep possession and got the puck back to the point, with Emil Andrae then passing off to Foerster at the top of the circle.
Hofer then made another important save on the aforementioned Abols, with Vladar then trading key saves on the Flyers end. Vladar made a save at point blank on Blues forward Pavel Buchnevich, with the rebound then shooting out to his right. Vladar found himself in decent enough position out of desperation, but it was Andrae there as an insurance policy blocking the rebound opportunity. With around a minute left, Andre then received a pass entering the zone and walked into the slot almost ending the game. It would have been a great sequence of events for Andrae, who looked more like guy we saw during his first call up last season.
Sanheim would be the overtime hero with the winner, but the hero of the game for the Flyers must be Dan Vladar. He was the reason the Flyers were only down one goal after two periods, saving multiple breakaway attempts throughout the game, most notably on Blue Jake Neighbours in the first period. Vladar also made a great pad save on the perennial 30-goal scorer Jordan Kyrou in OT, giving Sanheim the chance to end the game a few minutes later.
Quick hits
- Emil Andrae was moved up the lineup during the second period, being elevated to the second pairing to play with Jamie Drysdale. Rick Tocchet kept Andrae on the second pair even after taking a tripping penalty after being forced off the puck.
- Trevor Zegras now has 20 points in 19 games so far this season.
- The Flyers have played 19 games, with nine of these games going to OT/shootout.
The Flyers host the devils on Saturday 11/22, before flying down to the Sunshine State to play the Tampa Bay Lightning on Monay 11/24.
-Tyler Grace/Olde City Sports Network