While the Flyers took part in their first day of scrimmages, a notable name was absent from the ice.
During Phase 3 and Phase 4, teams are unable to mention why specific players are absent from games or practice. They can only use the terms “unfit to play” or “unable to participate.” That is exactly what the Flyers had to do on Saturday.
Jakub Voracek did not take to the ice earlier today for either part of the team’s scrimmages. All the team could say was that he was unable to participate. Both Chuck Fletcher and Alain Vigneault were not able to elaborate further.
The Flyers do not play a game that matters until August 2nd. So there is plenty of time for Voracek to re-join the team. There could be various reasons he wasn’t able to participate today so we won’t speculate. All that is know is that he was unable to participate.
Aside from that, all of the other Flyers were available to participate in the scrimmages that took place today. Due to Voracek’s absence, Team Orange was forced to play a man short and rotate players on his top line spot.
The rosters were split fairly evenly, with some star players on each squad. Brian Elliott and Carter Hart faced off against each other as well. Pairings were close to similar to what the Flyers had been running before.
Today's scrimmage sides pic.twitter.com/cG7X4SCNOm
— Bill Meltzer (@billmeltzer) July 18, 2020
Team Black, otherwise known as Elliott’s team, would earn a close victory, coming away with the 3-2 win. The goals were scored by Shayne Gostisbehere, Travis Konecny, and Mark Friedman.
Justin Braun and James van Riemsdyk grabbed the goals for Team Orange. It was a productive day of practice that gave Vigneault and the rest of the coaching staff a closer look at where all of the Flyers are at as we are close to a weeks worth of camp.
"“I definitely liked our intensity. The execution and decision-making is going to get better.”"
The Flyers have the next week to continue ramping up their practices before heading over to Toronto. From there, they’ll face off against the Penguins in an exhibition game a few days before the games begin to count.
And who knows, the team could have Voracek back on the ice before then. The next few days will be key to that.