In a mostly one-sided, and embarrassing loss, there were statistical signs that the Flyers were starting to play better, or further proof that statistics alone can be misleading in the telling of any story. In either case, morale victories are hardly comforting in the wake of defeat.
First period
CF:12 CA:15 CF% 55.56%
The Bruins would use special teams to seize the one goal lead, but the Flyers would hold the corsi advantage. It seemed like they were exerting more effort than in the previous meeting, but were still losing most aspects of the game, especially puck battles.
In this case the corsi advantage the Flyers enjoyed did not translate to the feeling of dominant puck possession. On the contrary it felt like they were barely containing a Bruins eruption as the actual 5 v 5 shots favored the Bruins 8 – 4.
Second Period
CF:14 CA:13 CF%: 51.85%
The Flyers would win the corsi battle again in the second period, but the team was clearly not playing well. The Bruins seemed to take a page from the Flyers’ earlier success, and though they trailed in shot attempts, many of their attempts were prime scoring opportunities. The Bruins would outscore them 2-1 in the period.
The second period was defined more by the defensive break downs rather than the shot attempt advantage.
Third Period
CF:7 CA:12 CF%: 36.84
This period’s corsi for percentage was reflective of the dominance that the Bruins seemed to enjoy the entire game. They would score three goals in the period, but only one at even strength. The even strength goal was yet another chance by an unmarked Bruins player at the goal mouth.
All of it precipitated by a less than casual effort to control the puck by the Flyers defense. The Bruins pushed around the demoralized Flyers in the period’s latter half to run up their corsi advantage.
Corsi Winner
PHI: Mark Friedman CF:11 CA:4 CF%: 73.33%
Friedman had a stellar corsi night, and even managed to beat out Patrice Bergeron who was the best player for the Bruins. But before we start Friedman’s campaign for the Norris trophy, there were some “eye test” questions being asked at Buzz HQ.
I have a bias, and I like Friedman, but I too conceded, that there were a few plays where lack of speed was a concern. Speed issues aside, when he was on the ice, it was a pretty corsi good night for the youngster.
Not accounted in corsi were the two penalties Friedman took. First, a weak hooking call followed by a poorly timed unsportsmanlike conduct penalty. While I think unsportsmanlike penalty was a silly play, I can empathize with Friedman. It must have been frustrating to be tagged for a very questionable hook.
Corsi Loser
PHI: Jake Voracek CF:9 CA:15 CF%: 37.50
Voracek and his line mates did not have an especially good night, with the Bruins getting three 5v5 tallies against them while scoring a single goal for, the only Flyers goal. That was reflected in the corsi percentage, but Voracek may have had his numbers substantially undermined by a couple of bad shifts by Gustafsson.
Jake did not play a bad game, he was not as much as an offensive force as he could have been, but he was not the worst forward, in fact he may have been one of the better players on a night where most were muted.
Conclusion:
CF:36 CA:37 CF%:49.32
Ultimately the Bruins won corsi by the slimmest of margins,. By contrast, the game was not very close as the Bruins dominated. on the ice and on the score board. Judging strictly by corsi percentage, the game appeared close.
One conclusion could be that the Flyers held an edge after the first two periods and the Bruins pulled away in the final period. They did pull away in the third period, largely on the strength of the power play, but the Flyers never really outplayed them at any point during the game.