It was a battle between two teams that have way too many good players on the injured reserve list. In the end, two goals by Nick Seeler and Travis Konecny tied the game up in the third. However, the Flyers would fall in overtime to the Blue Jackets, 5-4. It’s the team’s fourth loss in a row. But hey, they got a point this time! This is also the second time in a week that the Flyers have lost to Columbus
Once again, the Flyers fell down 2-0 early on. This is the eighth time this season that they have started the game with a two goal deficit. In only a handful of games have the Flyers started off with a lead; the most recent one being against Ottawa during Giroux’s homecoming, and they still lost that game as well.
Sean Kuraly opened the scoring for the Jackets 12 minutes into the game. Just a few minutes into the second period, Boone Jenner scored two give Columbus that 2-0 lead.
Then came Kevin Hayes and Noah Cates to the rescue. Both scored within four minutes of each other in the second period to tie the game up. After the goal by Cates, Elvis Merzlikins, the Blue Jackets’ goalie, was forced to exit the game with an injury. He had 15 saves when he left and was replaced by Joonas Korpisalo. The Jackets would also be without defender Jake Bean, who had to exit as well due to injury.
Still, on came the Jackets. Jenner scored his sixth goal of the season, and his second of the night, three minutes into the third. Just 13 seconds later, Eric Robinson scored to give Columbus their second two goal lead of the night.
After Konecny’s goal tied it up with 11 minutes to play, the Jackets did everything they could to put it away. Carter Hart made 28 stops on 33 shots. His biggest saves of the night were in the closing minutes of the third period. However, just over three minutes into the overtime period, Vladislav Gavrikov found the back of the net and ended the game.
For the Flyers, they have faced four last place teams in the last week. While they beat St. Louis, they have lost to Columbus twice and been dropped by Ottawa. Now, they will travel to Boston for their second game on this three game road trip. And guess what….Boston is the best team in the NHL right now. Buckle up, it’s gonna be a bumpy ride.