Flyers rally but ultimately fall short and lose to Avalanche
By Scott Cole
After dropping two games in overtime on their western road trip, the Flyers fell behind to the Colorado Avalanche. A late rally came close, but the team was unable to overcome the deficit and fell to the defending Stanley Cup champs, 3-2.
The loss is the third one taken by the Orange and Black on this road trip. The last team that Philly beat was a home victory over the Avs a week ago. So far for December, the Flyers are 1-6. The team will return east on Thursday for a showdown with the division-leading New Jersey Devils before coming home on Saturday to face off against the New York Rangers.
Tony DeAngelo was scratched for his third straight game on this road trip, allowing Cam York a chance to showcase his talents. York proved his worth as he scored his first goal of the season. York took a wrister off the face-off and fired it at Pavel Francouz, who deflected it. James van Riemsdyk offered an effective screen of the shot, Owen Tippet tried to put it in, but it too was blocked by Francouz, but he tipped it towards York, who put it away.
The Philadelphia Flyers lose 3-2 to the Colorado Avalanche
The Flyers would hold the lead until the middle of the second period. Former Islander Devon Toews would open the scoring for Colorado. Six minutes later, Artturi Lehkonen broke the 1-1 tie with a short-handed goal. Defender Erik Johnson cleared the puck up through the middle of the ice, and Lehkonen raced forward to get it with York trailing.
Lehkonen grabbed the puck, and with York diving in vain to stop the goal, squirted it past Felix Sandstrom for the score. Midway through the third, J.T. Compher would also add a goal of his own.
The Flyers would make a late rally. Coach John Tortorella pulled Sandstrom with four minutes to go. With the extra attacker, the Flyers took up spaces on the perimeter to fire away. Kevin Hayes launched one that Francouz blocked. JVR took the deflection and popped it on for his second goal since returning from breaking his finger. He also scored during the overtime loss to Arizona on Sunday.
After a tremendous October, the Flyers are struggling. They can’t blame injuries now as a few of their injured stars have returned. If they can’t turn it around soon, they could find themselves in last place before 2022 comes to an end.