Samuel Morin scores a goal, helps the Flyers win

Coming off two blowouts by a combined 17-3 score in their last head-to-head matchups, the Philadelphia Flyers looked to find something, anything on Saturday afternoon against those stupid New York Rangers

1st Period

The Flyers came out strong, controlling most of the offensive zone play and firing eight of the game’s first nine shots. We also started to see some chippiness from the Orange and Black in this one, which is good to see…except when it puts the other team on the power play, which is exactly what Travis Konecny did after the whistle at 9:29. To the surprise of absolutely no one, Mika Zibanejad scored on the power play, after being left alone at the side of the net 10:54 in. That goal was his SEVENTH in the last three games against Philadelphia, leaving me to believe the only way for the Flyers to slow him down is to hire a witch doctor to put a hex on him.

New York was able to gain a bit of an edge after Zibanejad’s goal as they rattled off the next six shots, but Brian Elliott was able to make the saves, which, honestly, I’m just not used to. Elliott nearly cost the team with 10 seconds left though, as he hesitated to play a puck behind the net, which squirted out in front of the empty net but was fortunately cleared to end the period.

Not a ton of really great chances for the Flyers, but enough that they deserved a better fate in the period. Igor Shesterkin was the story of the first, as he made 17 saves to help New York to a 1-0 lead

2nd Period

Less than 30 seconds in, the Flyers nearly found themselves down 2-0 as Elliott got turned around and several players had a whack at it right outside the crease, but the Flyers defense did a good job getting back to support Elliott, and ultimately snuffed out the chance. A good sign from a D-corp that’s been about as supportive as a leaky air mattress for most of the month.

A good shift by the fourth line led to a couple of great scoring chances and a remarkable stop by Shesterkin on Michael Raffl, but did succeed in drawing the first penalty against the Rangers at 3:12! Predictably, the Flyers weren’t able to get any shots on the net, and the penalty expired.

Penalties to Chris Kreider at 10:12 and Kevin Rooney at 10:55 put the Flyers on a 5-on-3 for 1:17 with a chance to turn the game around. Two high-quality saves by Shesterkin ended the 5-on-3, but as the second penalty was about to expire, the Flyers finally beat him!! Shayne Gostisbehere took the point shot, and Nolan Patrick was able to deflect it home, and on their 27th shot of the game, Philadelphia was finally able to score, and tie it at one with 12:52 gone by. With 1:54 left, another post-whistle altercation led to a Ranger power play, as Phil Myers took a roughing penalty. They got through it though and we headed to the third with 6 seconds left on the penalty.

The second felt a little more even, but unlike the first, the Flyers were able to take advantage while New York was held off the scoreboard. 1-1 after two.

3rd Period

Flyers killed the remaining six seconds and got back to even strength. The first five or so minutes were relatively uneventful, until Scott Laughton broke in alone on Shesterkin, at 5:36.  Laughton tried his trademark backhand roof-shot, but once again, the Ranger net-minder bailed out his team and the game stayed tied at one.

At 9:45, Laughton took down Artemi Panarin, which snuffed out a good scoring chance, but put the Blueshirts on the man-advantage. Flyers did a good job on the penalty kill and returned to even strength with just about eight minutes left.

Just when it looked like the game was destined for OT, Big Sam Morin fired a one-timer from a long way out that managed to elude a screened Shesterkin and found the back of the net!!! The goal was the defenseman’s first NHL tally and came at a HUGE moment for the Orange and Black, as it gave them a 2-1 lead with 4:27 left. His teammates mobbed him inside the blueline, celebrating an awesome moment for a kid and a team who have been starved of them lately.

The Rangers pulled their goalie with under two minutes left and the Flyers had multiple opportunities to hit the empty net with under a minute to play, but Adam Fox came up with some HUGE blocks. It wouldn’t matter in the end though, as the Flyers were able to prevent New York from getting set up in the offensive zone and held on to finally beat those pesky Rangers by a 2-1 final!!

All told, it was an excellent effort by the Flyers as they were able to play stout defense, get timely saves from Elliott, and get just enough offensive breaks to overcome a stellar effort by Shesterkin. A very encouraging showing from a team that has looked lost all month.

Final Stats

Shots: 37-25 (PHI)

Faceoffs: 66%-34% (PHI)

Hits: 31-28 (PHI)

PHI PK: 3/4

PHI PP: 1/3

The first star of the game goes to big Sam Morin in this one, as he made a few nice defensive plays, and of course scored the game-winner, which was his first NHL goal none-the-less, with 4:27 left. He deserved it after a long and winding road to this point, and I hope he will continue to get a chance to prove himself for the rest of the year.