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Samuel Ersson excited to prove he is finally healthy

By Ariel Melendez

Sep 28, 2021; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; New York Islanders left wing Anthony Beauvillier (18) scores the game-winning goal in overtime against Philadelphia Flyers goaltender Samuel Ersson (33) and defenseman Ivan Provorov (9) at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 28, 2021; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; New York Islanders left wing Anthony Beauvillier (18) scores the game-winning goal in overtime against Philadelphia Flyers goaltender Samuel Ersson (33) and defenseman Ivan Provorov (9) at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports /
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Five games. That’s all that Samuel Ersson was able to play as various injuries kept him off the ice for a majority of the Phantoms season. So as far as first year’s go, that was not the way him or the Flyers hoped it would go.

Saturday’s rookie game against the Rangers was going to be his first real test in months. Being able to practice is one thing, but there’s no real way to simulate a game experience except to play in one. And by all means, Ersson stood up to the test and then some.

While a 5-1 score seems to indicate that it was the offense that led the way, it was Ersson who played the biggest role in the Flyers’ rookie victory. He was under siege early and often, having to keep the team in it as they couldn’t get any offense in the early going. In fact, it was over 12 and a half minutes in before his teammates managed to get a shot on net.

He ended up making 13 saves in the first period, 11 in the second and 12 in the third for a total of 36 saves. The Rangers ended up breaking the shutout in the third period, but the game was well in the Flyers hands at that point. The biggest thing for Ersson was proving he could get through a full 60-minute game. He did that and more in the victory.

"”I’ve been thinking all summer that I wanted to come back making a statement, and show I can overcome adversity.”"

Coming over to a new country is already tough enough. Add in injuries that knock you out for most of the season and it can be hard to get through both physically and mentally. For Ersson, it helped having fellow Swede and goaltender Felix Sandstrom to help guide him through. Sandstrom had his own injury issues before and had a big surgery a few years ago to help correct things. So he was someone Ersson could lean on in the meantime.

Not only are the two teammates, but they also live in the same town in Sweden. So they’ve developed a great relationship having known each other since before they were drafted by the Flyers, Sandstrom in 2015 and Ersson in 2018.

"“We’ve trained a little bit together this summer. We have a great relationship. I look at what he’s done, his journey since he came here. I want to do something similar.”"

Sandstrom, if all goes well, could be the backup goaltender to Carter Hart this season. That would give Ersson a chance to get plenty of games with the Phantoms and fully regain the confidence in himself and his game. He’ll likely end up sharing the net with Troy Grosenick who was signed by the Flyers during the off-season.

Ersson proved he was able to make it through an entire game. Now it’s time to show that he can make it through an entire season next.

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