The Flyers began a three-day road trip in Toronto last night; the Flyers faced the Toronto Maple Leafs, in their third and final match up of the season. With 12 games left in the regular season, points are at a premium and, the Flyers with resilience and determination remain competitors. The Leafs have won the first two meetings between these teams and were looking for the series sweep last night. The Flyers, who are on a 3 game winning streak, had to put the pressure on the Leafs and push hard during the first 10 minutes of play to take home a win.
The Flyers got an early goal in the first period; Simon Ganage got a piece of the puck and was able to put it in the goal 19 seconds into play. Then, 2 minutes later the Leafs replied with a goal, tying the game 1-1. Late in the first period the Leafs take their first lead of the game, shooting the puck through a ton of traffic, Bryzgalov never saw it coming, 2-1. Not giving up the fight Jakub Voracek waited in front of the Leafs net, with a minute and a half left to play in the first, he took a pass and scored, tying the game at 2-2.
Right off of puck drop in the 2nd period the Flyers kept the pressure on the Leafs, scoring by Brayden Schenn, giving the Flyers a lead 3-2. The Flyers dominated much of the plays during the second period and took the pressure to the net with 4 minutes left in the period to score. The Flyers, increasing their lead 4-2, shot taken by Sean Couturier and assist by Rosehill. New Flyers: Rosehill and Adam Hall had significant contributions to that play with great fore-checking and putting pressure on the Leafs.
Going into the 3rd period, the Flyers had 27 shots on goal, 16 scoring chances, 22 hits (even without Zac Rinaldo who is out with a lower body injury) and 8 blocks. The Leafs had 18 shots on goal, 12 scoring chances, 26 hits and 10 blocks. As the 3rd period began, the Flyers had to continue their push and support Bryzgalov with a great defense to secure the win last night and they did. With a lead going into the 3rd, this Flyers team had been notorious for losing but that was earlier in the season. In the past week, we have seen a different team; a team who plays with determination, resilience and gets the job done. Toronto Maple Leafs continued to push, not giving the game away to the Flyers, score and made this a one-goal hockey game, closing the Flyers lead 4-3. At the end of the game with less than 20 seconds of play, Luke Schenn puts the puck in an empty Leafs’ net, 5-3. The Flyers win and continue their streak for 4 straight games.
The Flyers have swept the back to back and now with 4 wins in a row, the Flyers are on their way to a playoff spot. The Flyers have built upon their last four games, putting the pressure on and continually taking the puck to the net. Jay Rosehill debuted as a Flyer last night, he has not played an NHL game in a year and last night he proved that he belongs in the league with great fore-checking and goal scoring. Another newly acquired player, Adam Hall made an impression in this game against the Toronto Maple Leafs. The come back kids are back in town and Philadelphia fans are happy to see them! The Flyers won as a team last night, all around important contributions were made by every player: Rosehill, Schenn, Schenn, Hall, Read, Gange, Voracek and Knuble. Even Hartnell was taking some solid shots at the net. From now until playoffs Bryzgalov will be the MVP of the game, he had solid blocks and was looking great, although I am sure he is looking forward to a break once the Flyers newly acquired goalie, Steve Mason gets to the team. The Flyers continue their 3 day road trip in Toronto and face the Winnipeg Jets on Saturday.
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