Flyers Show Fight In Thrilling Preseason Clash Against Islanders
Philadelphia, PA – October 2, 2025
The Philadelphia Flyers brought energy and heart to the Xfinity Mobile Arena on Thursday night, battling the New York Islanders in a tightly contested preseason matchup that ended in a 4-3 loss. Despite the final score, the Flyers’ performance was a beacon of hope for the upcoming regular season, showcasing resilience, depth, and standout individual efforts in their second-to-last tune-up game.
The Flyers, now 2-4 in the preseason with one home game remaining, demonstrated their ability to compete with intensity. Having previously defeated the Islanders in a shootout earlier this preseason, Philadelphia came out swinging, with key contributions from both veterans and rising stars.
A Fast Start and Shorthanded Spark
The game began with the Flyers asserting themselves early. Defenseman Travis Sanheim ignited the crowd with a shorthanded goal in the first period, his second tally of the preseason. The goal highlighted Sanheim’s growing offensive presence and set the tone for Philadelphia’s aggressive play. The Flyers carried a 1-0 lead into the first intermission, showing discipline and structure against a tough Islanders squad.
Photo Credit: Leah Hollenbach/Olde City Sports Network
Second Period Fireworks
The second period was a back-and-forth affair, with both teams trading blows. Travis Konecny, the Flyers’ leading scorer last season with 76 points (24g-52a), added to his preseason resume with a goal that showcased his knack for finding the net in clutch moments. Not to be outdone, Noah Cates continued his impressive preseason, burying a power-play goal to give the Flyers a 3-2 lead heading into the third. Cates, who now leads the team with three preseason goals, has found the back of the net in back-to-back games, signaling his readiness for a breakout campaign.
The Islanders responded with three goals of their own in the second, including a power-play marker from Alexander Shabanov and a goal from Anders Lee, making it clear that this game would be a test of resilience for both sides.
Third Period Push Falls Short
Despite a valiant effort in the third, the Flyers couldn’t overcome a shorthanded goal by New York’s Adam Pelech, which proved to be the game-winner. The Islanders’ Ilya Sorokin stood tall, stopping 18 of 21 shots to earn the victory, while Philadelphia’s Samuel Ersson made 23 saves on 27 shots in a solid, if not winning, effort.
Depth and Determination Shine Through
The Flyers’ depth was on full display, with contributions up and down the lineup. Christian Dvorak, a key offseason addition, picked up an assist, bringing his preseason total to three helpers. Sean Couturier, who finished third on the team in points last season (45 points), notched his first assist of the preseason, showing signs of returning to his playmaking form. Defensemen Nick Seeler, Tyson Foerster, and Cam York also chipped in with assists, with Foerster and York continuing to build chemistry as part of Philadelphia’s young core.
Looking Ahead with Optimism
While the scoreboard didn’t favor the Flyers, the game was a testament to their potential. The team’s ability to generate offense from multiple sources—shorthanded, power-play, and even-strength goals—bodes well for a squad looking to make noise in the regular season. With one preseason game left, the Flyers have an opportunity to fine-tune their game and build on the momentum from their standout performers.
As head coach Rick Tocchet and his staff prepare for the final preseason contest, the Flyers’ faithful can take heart in the team’s tenacity and the emergence of players like Cates, who is proving to be a difference-maker. With Konecny, Couturier, and Sanheim leading the charge, and young talents like Foerster and York stepping up, Philadelphia is poised for an exciting season.
The Flyers will look to carry this hope and hustle into their final preseason game, setting the stage for a campaign filled with promise. Fly, Flyers, Fly!
Game Notes:
Goal Scorers: PHI – Sanheim (SH), Konecny, Cates (PP); NYI – Shabanov (PP), Lee, Pelech (SH), Heineman
Goaltenders: PHI – Ersson (L, 23/27); NYI – Sorokin (W, 18/21)
Next Up: The Flyers close out their preseason schedule with one final home game at Xfinity Mobile Arena
- Jesse Bell/Olde City Sports Network
- Photo Credit/Leah Hollenbach and Leigha Grace/Olde City Sports Network
