Mar 30, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Flyers goalie Steve Mason (35) makes a save against Washington Capitals center Evgeny Kuznetsov (92) during the shootout at Wells Fargo Center. The Flyers defeated the Capitals, 2-1 in a shootout. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 30, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Flyers goalie Steve Mason (35) makes a save against Washington Capitals center Evgeny Kuznetsov (92) during the shootout at Wells Fargo Center. The Flyers defeated the Capitals, 2-1 in a shootout. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports /
Steve Mason allowed a terrible goal against the Washington Capitals, but it was hardly the first shocker for a Philadelphia Flyers goalie in the playoffs
For about 25 years now, there’s always been a circus around the Philadelphia Flyers goaltending situation. Mostly it traces back to the 90s, where the formidable teams led by Eric Lindros never had any certainty in net. Those teams had great forwards, but defined the term goalie carousel. Ron Hextall, Garth Snow, Sean Burke, John Vanbiesbrouck, Brian Boucher, and Roman Cechmanek all took turns on that carousel in the span of just a few years.
The Philadelphia Flyers of today are in a different position. Against the odds, Steve Mason came to town and resurrected his career. He has provided the Flyers with excellent goaltending during his time here. You put on the Flyers sweater, however, and crazy things seem inevitable.
That bad Flyers mojo caught up with Steve Mason Saturday night. Coming just moments after a spectacular save, Mason allowed one of the objectively worst goals I’ve ever seen.
There’s never a dull moment in the Flyers crease. Let’s take a look at a few highlights and lowlights Flyers goalies have accumulated since the days Ron Hextall prowled the crease.
Next: Mason at his Best
Mason at his Best
As mentioned above, Mason has given the Flyers very good goaltending the last few years, making these kind of stops.
Next: Mason Allows Horrendous Goal
Mason Allows Horrendous Goal
Center ice goals rarely happen. When they do, it’s usually because of a bad hop or something. Mason has no such excuse. Maybe we’ll just say that it was a deflected shot? Maybe he was screened?
Next: Incredible Bryzgalov Save
Incredible Bryzgalov Save
Steve Mason’s predecessor, Ilya Bryzgalov, was the king of Jekyll and Hyde performances. Here he is at his best, snatching one off the goal line and helping the Flyers advance in the playoffs against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Next: Bryzgalov Concedes Stunning Goal
Bryzgalov Concedes Stunning Goal
After making saves like the previous one on the Penguins, Bryzgalov would turn around and let in a goal that leaves you truly speechless.
Next: Cechmanek Takes his Eye off the Puck
Cechmanek Takes his Eye off the Puck
Rolling back the clock a bit farther brings us to the infamous Roman Cechmanek. A strange bird in many ways, perhaps the simplest way to sum Cechmanek is that he was a guy that didn’t speak English, who liked to intentionally “head” away high shots like a soccer player.
Even if he may have been a bit “off”, Cechmanek put up some great numbers. In three seasons backstopping the Ken Hitchcock era Flyers, Cechmanek won 92 games, had a .923 save percentage, and was Vezina runner-up in 2000-01. But then the playoffs rolled around and things got weird.
Next: BOOOOOSH
BOOOOOSH
Before Cechmanek there was rookie sensation Brian Boucher. Boosh slowly but surely took over the job from veteran John Vanbiesbrouck during the 1999-2000. Unfortunately the Brian Boucher era for the Philadelphia Flyers was over in a flash, but he made one immortal save in the 2000 Eastern Conference Finals.
Next: Another Flyers Rookie Goalie
Another Flyers Rookie Goalie
Go back another 15 years, and the Flyers also another rookie goalie leading them on a Stanley Cup chase. In 1986-87, Ron Hextall pull off an amazing save, uncannily similar to Boucher’s in 2000.
Next: Hexy's Dark Side
Hexy’s Dark Side
In the same series as he’s making the unbelievable save above, Hextall could also turn to the dark side. Here he wields his hockey stick more like a light saber.
Next: Hextall Scores
Hextall Scores
Other than chopping down Oilers, Hextall could also do a few things with a stick. Having already scored one in the regular season, added another one to his resume with this playoff goal.
Next: Hextall and Lemieux
Hextall and Lemieux
Given that this is a list about Flyers goalies, it has to end on a bad one, right? Any Philadelphia Flyers fan from the 90s will remember this one, and it still hurts.
It’s not too late for Steve Mason and the Flyers to come back on the Caps. Braden Holtby will make it tough, but the Flyers are performing at 5v5, and haven’t lost on home ice yet. It should be a good one tonight for Game 3 in Philly!
