Philadelphia Flyers World Championships Update
Apr 6, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Braydon Coburn (5) against the Buffalo Sabres during the third period at Wells Fargo Center. The Flyers defeated the Sabres, 5-2. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
The preliminary games of the World Championships have finished and the final eight teams are set to compete for the championship over the upcoming days.
The Philadelphia Flyers had six players in the tournament this year (although Marcel Noebels is only a prospect and has done very little both in the Flyers organization and internationally). Two of the six Flyers players are finished. Here is how they performed:
Oliver Lauridsen – Denmark
In seven games Lauridsen did not get on the scoresheet. However, as a 6’6″ defensive defenseman scoring is not exactly his strong suit. He did average 19:01 TOI/game, good for fourth among Danish defensemen and he led his team in PIMs with 14. He was a minus two for the tournament and registered six shots on goal.
Lauridsen is on a one-way contract next season worth $600,000. Do not be surprised to see him as the 7th defenseman or waived and sent back to Lehigh Valley.
Marcel Noebels – Germany
In seven games Noebels recorded one goal and no assists. His 15:14 TOI/game is a step up from his sporadic playing time last year. Noebels was a plus two for the tournament and recorded 12 shots on goal.
Noebels had a rough 2013-2014 season with the Phantoms. After playing fairly well in his rookie pro season of 2012-2013, he took a step backwards. Although he may be a career AHLer, it would be nice to see his game pick up again in 2014-2015.
The Philadelphia Flyers have three players on Team Canada and one player (sorta?) on Team Sweden who are still alive in the tournament. Here is how they have done so far and what their upcoming schedule looks like:
Erik Gustafsson – Sweden
Yes I know he signed over in the KHL, but the Flyers own his NHL rights so I am including him in this list. Plus, I like him a lot. In only five game so far Gustafsson has not registered a point and has averaged 17:58 TOI/game. He is a minus three and has recorded two shots on goal. He has not performed even close to the level at which he performed during last year’s World Championships.
Sweden will face Belarus in the quarterfinals today at 2:00pm EST.
Matt Read – Canada
Through the seven qualifying games Matt Read has recorded two goals and two assists. His two goals came in quick succession against Denmark, one at even strength and one shorthanded. After starting on the Canadian third line, Read has spent some time on the top line with center Kyle Turris. Read is a plus, has registered 13 shots on goal, and has averaged 16:14 TOI/game.
Read will need to continue his offensive push if Canada wants to be competitive in this tournament.
Braydon Coburn – Canada
In the first seven games Coburn has not recorded any points and has been routinely paired with 6’8″ Sabres defenseman Tyler Myers. Coburn has logged 20:01 TOI/game, which is good for fourth among Canadian defensemen. He has also recorded eight PIMs, nine shots on goal, and is minus two. As usual, Coburn has played a pretty solid game, but he has a had a few glaring turnovers that have led to opposing goals/chances.
Brayden Schenn – Canada
Through seven games Schenn is behind only Cody Hodgson and Joel Ward in the goal scoring department. They each have six goals while Schenn has three. Schenn has also tacked on one assist. In the first game of the tournament, Schenn looked like a man on a mission, playing one of the best games that I have ever seen from him. He has had a solid tournament and looks good centering the speedy up-and-comer Nathan MacKinnon.
Schenn’s 13 shots on goal and 15:40 of ice time per game have been very valuable to the Canadian squad. If they go far in this tournament, expect Schenn to play a key role.
Canada will take on Finland today in the quarterfinals at 1:00pm EST.