Put The Brooms Away: Flyers Can’t Sweep Sens, Lose 5-4 in Shootout

Tonight’s game was kind of like every high school relationship you’ve ever been in: Things start off really well. Then you go through a rough patch, but everything turns for the better again. Of course only until another rough patch. You keep fighting though and try to make things work.

But in the end you still lose.

The Flyers managed to have two leads, come from behind twice, and somehow end it all by losing in a shootout in Ottawa, 5-4. This game was played as evenly as it gets, as both teams showed flashes of brilliance followed by moments of “The hell did he just do?”.

Michael Raffl opened the scoring with his first NHL goal in the first period. It was a warm and fuzzy moment for all involved until a few minutes later when Chris Neil bulldozed him. The Sens responded later in the period on a neutral zone collapse by the Flyers leading to a breakaway goal by Clarke MacArthur.

Ottawa took their first lead in the second off a powerplay goal by Patrick Wiercioch (assisted by Bobby Ryan, who I counted 3 times during the game was referred to by his hometown of Cherry Hill. Amazed it was that low). The Flyers responded on a power play of their own with Jakub Voracek picking up his first goal in 12 games. Philly then took the lead on a rare howitzer by Luke Schenn.

Oddly enough, the third period was eerily similar to the second, only reversed. Ottawa first potted two goals to go up 4-3, then Kimmo Timonen lobbed a muffin past a screened Craig Anderson (Thanks Jason Spezza!) to tie the game up at 4. It stayed that way in to overtime and on to the shootout, where a lone goal by Jason Spezza (Screw you Jason Spezza!) sealed the Sens overtime victory over the Flyers.

Overall, it’s not so much the Flyers played bad, but they weren’t all that great either. Despite establishing solid forechecks, they never really controlled the neutral zone and were constantly giving up odd man rushes to a speedy Ottawa team. When you can’t control the neutral zone and give up odd man rushes, all the forechecking in the world won’t win you a game. The Flyers almost pulled it off, but in the end fell just short.

Neither Steve Mason or Craig Anderson looked especially solid in net tonight. Mason’s rebound control was suspect at best and he seemed to really be fighting off shots rather than playing a more composed game. After allowing 8 goals in his last two games, I imagine his detractors will come out from hiding and begin proclaiming the “Mason-Apocalypse.” But these things happen to every goalie. Mason has said before he’s been better about not letting this stuff get him down mentally, so let’s wait and see how he responds in his next start.

Quick Thoughts

• Maybe it’s just me, but I swear the only time I notice Mark Streit is when he’s screwing something up. He was responsible for pinching too far and allowing a late Sens goal.
• Speaking of defensemen, Timmonen, Schenn, and Grossman all looked pretty good. The two former actually scored, and Grossman was very involved in the offensive zone–while still being defensively responsible (take notes, Streit)
• Did anyone see that Couturier vs. Kyle Turris fight? That was just silly.

The Flyers travel to Chicago next. Yikes. Let’s hope for a slightly better level of play. Because what they did tonight certainly won’t get it done.

Flyers Suffocate Senators, Win 5-0

Jakub Voracek potted 2 goals, Claude Giroux had two assists, and Steve Mason stopped all 24 shots he face as the Flyers domintated the Ottawa Senators in a 5-0 victory. It was the third time this season Philly scored more than two goals in a game, and second in a row.

The Flyers controlled play throughout; scoring in every period and keeping most of the Ottawa chances away from Mason. The second period opened with Giroux and Hartnell connecting with Voracek for a wrap-around goal. Later in the period, Voracek added another on a slick play between Giroux and Simmonds who was right in front of the net for their second power play goal in 21 tries. The rest of the second period saw the Senators begin to push back, but the Flyers clogging the lanes and having all 3 forwards participating on the backcheck.

By the the time Vinny Lecavalier tallied his 7th of the season to make it 4-0 in the third, Philly had successfully knocked the wind out of the Sens’ sails. Brayden Schenn added a power play goal at the end as icing on a the cake.

This was easily the best all-around game the Flyers have played this season. And they did it against an Ottawa Senators team who had previously not lost to an Eastern Conference team in regulation, and has been one of the most potent offenses this season.

The Flyers kept Ottawa forwards frustrated all game by clogging up the middle lanes–forcing them to the outside. Any pucks that managed to get through the middle were quickly swatted away before rebound opportunities could surface. For the first time all year, Steve Mason was getting defensive support.

The offense looked exactly how it was promised to when the season opened: crisp passing, fast skating with puck control in to the offensive zone, and winning the 50/50 battles along the boards (well enough of them). The Flyers put together a complete effort against a very good team. And tonight they’ll face another good team as they travel to Pittsburgh to battle the Penguins.

Let’s hope the momentum keeps building.

Quick Notes:

• Defensemen were jumping on the rush. and that was awesome. Mark Streit looked great moving through the neutral zone with the puck
• Don’t look now, but Brayden Schenn now has 3 points in his last 2 games. Could be nothing. Could be something.
• Speaking of offensive uptick, Claude Giroux with 4 points in his last four games, including beautifully setting up both Voracek goals. But no I’m sure people still want to take away his C…

GO FLYERS!