York Scores, Flyers Fall In Rookie Series Finale To Rangers

The Philadelphia Flyers hosted the New York Rangers in the second of two games this weekend between the franchise’s rookie squads at the Flyers Training Center in Voorhees, New Jersey. Philadelphia took the first game in Tarrytown, New York yesterday by a score of 6-3, but the visiting Rangers would take the second matchup by a 3-2 score.

Cam York, the Flyers’ 2019 first-round draft pick, absolutely shined in this matchup. He opened the scoring with the game’s first goal while on the power play, and he looked very sound in his own end as well. York was impressive in his first 11 professional games last season, with three in Philadelphia and eight in Lehigh Valley. He looked as he should amongst other NHL roster hopefuls and rookies today, confident and dominant.

York will be challenging to earn a full-time spot on Alain Vigneault’s squad this season, and should he continue to impress and keep up his strong play in training camp next week, York will be knocking on the door to play regularly in the NHL this season.

Matthew Strome impressed today with a goal as well. He scored off a beautiful cross-crease feed from rookie camp invite Nolan Ritchie for the second Flyers goal of the day in the first period. Strome has struggled to find his footing in the Flyers organization since being drafted in the fourth round in 2017, but his offensive output today could help him get a closer look in training camp if he can keep producing.

Samuel Ersson was given the start today after serving as the relief goalie in yesterday’s game. Ersson looked pretty sharp in net again, allowing just two goals in the effort and made some key stops to try and hold off the Rangers’ attack in the second period.

Kirill Ustimenko relieved Ersson midway through the second period and seemed to play better than he did yesterday. He did allow one goal early on in the third period, but overall he was solid. As we said yesterday, he’s still adjusting to facing competition again after missing last season with his hip injury, but Ustimenko once again was skating well and had good lateral movement in his crease. It was another step in the right direction for the goaltender.

Tanner Laczynski, who suffered a torn labrum near the end of last season, participated in the game for his first on-ice action since April with the Flyers. He was involved in plays and looked calm and collected on the ice. Laczynski is one of a few Flyers who are looking to earn a spot in the Philadelphia bottom-six this upcoming training camp, and he’ll look to build on his strong performance today to make a case to remain with the Flyers.

Tyson Foerster once again looked dominant against the Rangers rookie squad. He did not score a goal today, as opposed to scoring twice yesterday, but he did rack up an assist on York’s goal and was very noticeable. That lethal shot of his was on full display, but the Rangers’ goaltending duo was able to flash the leather on the 2020 first-round draft pick and keep him off the scoresheet.

Foerster has improved tremendously since Development Camp, and his Rookie Camp has been even stronger. He will be a big name to watch in training camp next week as he continues to play increasingly better as the days go by.

Linus Högberg had a quietly effective game for the Flyers. He played well in the Philadelphia zone and didn’t seem to make many, if any, mistakes and looked smooth with the puck as well. He participated in the Flyers’ powerplays as well and was moving around and helped facilitate things in the Rangers’ end. Högberg will likely spend the season with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms again as he did last year, but the 2016 fifth-round pick looked very good and will look to build on his strong play.

Wyatte Wylie also had a strong game on the Philadelphia blueline. He was involved in a lot of plays for the Flyers yesterday and kept at it again today. He did not record any assists while he did yesterday, but he was involved in both ends of the ice and looked strong in both games this weekend.

Jon-Randall Avon, another camp invite, was buzzing all over the ice in this one. He showed off his playmaking abilities all game and looked very strong on offense. His name was said a lot today on the broadcast, and even yesterday he was pretty noticeable too. Avon may not earn a training camp invite but nonetheless, he has been impressive in his short time with the Flyers organization so far.

Wade Allison looked great in action today until he suffered an injury during the second period. He took a tumble into the corner boards with New York’s Braden Schneider, and Allison ended up with the worst of it. He was favoring his right leg as he needed assistance getting back to the Flyers’ dressing room. Hopefully Allison is okay for training camp but it did not look good.

Players that appeared in NHL games with the Flyers last season expectedly looked more dominant and noticeable in the game today. York, Laczynski, Allison, Morgan Frost, and Jackson Cates all looked like they skated better than the other players. They were reading plays well, found their open teammates, and were smart with and without the puck.

With the conclusion of rookie activities now, Flyers Training Camp will kick off on Wednesday with Media Day, and the first day of on-ice activities will commence on Thursday in Voorhees. Most of the players that participated in Rookie Camp will be in attendance along with the NHL regulars, minor-league depth players, and other roster hopefuls who have their sights set on taking the ice as Philadelphia Flyers. Ladies and gentlemen, hockey season is finally upon us.