The Philadelphia Flyers are currently sitting in a playoff spot in mid-January. Arguably, even die-hard fans did not believe the Flyers could reach this seemingly far-fetched position this soon in their rebuild. The Flyers emerged victorious from their three-game road trip against the Wild, the Jets, and the Blues. What were some things that went right for them?
Technicalities in Play
Get pucks on net: a very common philosophy for many hockey teams, but it’s another thing to act on it. The Flyers embodied this philosophy, outshooting their opponents a combined 113-94.
Block everything in sight: 55 collective blocks for the Flyers; 22 were versus Winnipeg alone. Hart and Ersson appreciate that they don’t see those shots.
Hit anything that moves: 46 collective hits; 22 were versus Minnesota. Physical play is making a comeback in Philadelphia.
Notable Players
Sam Ersson: one shutout; stopped all 35 shots he faced.
Carter Hart: two wins; 26 saves on 29 shots against the Wild; 28 saves on 30 shots against the Blues.
Cam Atkinson: snapped his 26-game goalless streak against the Winnipeg Jets, potting two to give the Flyers a 2-0 win.
Tyson Foerster: snapped his 16-game goalless streak against the Minnesota Wild.
Joel Farabee: three goals and one assist during the road trip.
Nick Seeler: eight blocked shots against the Blues; 12 blocked shots total for the road trip.
The Locker Room Culture Shined
I could endlessly talk about the Flyers’ newly developed locker room culture. A crucial indicator of a healthy locker room is how the players decide who deserves to wear the dog mask after a win. For example, Rick Bronwell, the Flyers’ Head Equipment Manager, celebrated 2,000 professional hockey games worked. Even after the Flyers delivered an upset shutout win against Winnipeg, they still gave the dog mask to Rick. In my opinion, this choice demonstrates that the dog mask isn’t always about who was the most “flashy” during the game but who the players deemed crucial to success. Only the players know how they select the recipient of the dog mask and what it truly stands for. However, it says a lot that they chose Rick over Ersson or Atkinson, and most of the players pictured appeared happy with their decision.
Their Resiliency
The biggest difference of them all? The resiliency this team displays.
Before the Flyers snagged two points against the St. Louis Blues, the online consensus of Flyers fans appeared to accept that the team would be gassed and would finish the road trip winning two out of three games. That would have been understandable, as they had just beaten the third-best team in the NHL less than 24 hours before.
Towards the end of the third period, the score was 2-2. It seemed as though the Flyers were going to hold out to overtime to ensure they snagged a point. However, Owen Tippett had other plans. His gumption rewarded him with a goal with 5:33 left in the game. His silky smooth hands had him gliding through defenders to put a nasty backhand past Joel Hofer. Joel Farabee sealed the game with an empty-netter.
Instead of shying away from hockey fans underestimating them and not believing in their potential, they use it to fuel their play. It has been a while since I’ve seen a Flyers team that confidently holds their fate in their own hands.
In other words, the Flyers are not complacent; they are hungry. They are hungry to prove they deserve a packed Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia embracing them, and a spot in the playoffs.
The result of this hunger? Not just a watchable product on the ice, but exciting, gritty, and enjoyable hockey back on Broad Street.
The crowds are back.
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