The Philadelphia Flyers were able to come away with a 3-2 shootout win in Jamie Drysdale’s highly anticipated debut. Those two points are crucial for the Flyers as they continue to hold onto their third-place spot in the metro division. Sam Ersson was given the nod, with Carter Hart as his backup.
Period 1
The Flyers did not get off to the best start, to say the least. Sam Ersson allowed an uncharacteristically early first-period goal. The tip-in was scored at the 1:29 mark by Sean Monahan. Tyson Foerster was sent to the box at 8:24 for cross-checking Monahan. The penalty kill was successful, but just about three minutes later, David Savard scored on a deflection. However, just when the Flyers seemed down, Owen Tippett scored on a wrist shot at 15:41, putting the Flyers on the board.
Ersson finished the period with 0 saves on 2 shots. That period was an effort he’d rather forget.
Big Play: Owen Tippett breaking through for the Flyers
Score: 2-1 Canadiens
Period 2
Sam Ersson bounced back nicely to make a much-needed save on Cole Caulfield. He faced a string of tough saves. He delivered, seemingly exhaling back to his form. Joel Farabee was mere inches from the tying goal at 12:54 but could not tuck it home.
The Flyers’ power play finally got a chance to even the score when Jordan Harris sent the puck flying over the glass at 11:59. Enter Jamie Drysdale, who was expected to quarterback the power play, and he did. He hovered at the blue line, then made a pass to Morgan Frost, whose wrist shot flew by Cayden Primeau at 11:30 to tie the game. Drysdale had the primary assist and Foerster had the secondary assist.
When Lou Nolan announced Drysdale’s name, the Wells Fargo Center re-erupted into cheers. Philadelphia made it clear that he was more than welcome to the city.
The power play got another look when Savard held Travis Konecny at 5:44, however, they could not convert.
Sam Ersson ended the period on a much better note, stopping all six shots he saw. The net-minder demonstrated his ability to shake off the last period and perform at his best.
The Flyers hit iron four times between the first and second periods.
Big Play: Morgan Frost’s tying power-play goal with a Jamie Drysdale assist
Score: 2-2
Period 3
The Canadiens immediately began the period with a hunger for the lead. Ersson stood strong during the barrage, and the Flyers were able to regroup.
Throughout the period, the Flyers sustained offensive pressure but just could not seem to convert. The team ended the period with 15 shots on goal for the period alone. For the game, they totaled 32. Their sentencing to overtime was not a lack of effort, but rather a lack of puck-luck or being unable to finish.
Big Play: Sam Ersson’s save on David Savard with eight seconds left in the period
Score: 2-2
Overtime
The Flyers had seven shots on goal compared to the Habs’ tally of one. Again, the Flyers being sent to the shootout was not a lack of effort.
Owen Tippett flew down the ice in the last ten seconds, bursting with so much energy that he crashed into the net and knocked it off of its bearings. He was unable to become the overtime hero.
Score: 2-2
Shootout
First-period performance who? Sam Ersson went 3-3 against Nick Suzuki, Cole Caulfield, and Jesse Ylönen.
Sean Couturier was the first and lone goal scorer of the shootout.
Final Score: 3-2
Players To Note
Jamie Drysdale
John Tortorella was not shy to send out the Flyers’ new addition. Drysdale registered 19:46 ice time with his partner, Travis Sanheim. He was also thrown out on the power play, where he had an assist. He registered two shots on goal, one hit, and one blocked shot. The Wells Fargo Center crowd cheered almost every time he would touch the puck, especially in overtime. He has had quite the eventful 48 hours, but he dug deep and found ways to contribute on both sides of the ice. The Philadelphia crowd couldn’t help but appreciate it.
His new teammate Owen Tippett was asked about him.
“I played against him in juniors. He’s had an immediate impact on our group and we’re excited to have him.”
– Owen Tippett on Jamie Drysdale joining the team, quote from intermission report on NBC Sports Philadelphia
After the game, Drysdale called the Wells Fargo Center an “unbelievable environment.”
“It was a hell of a game, a hell of a first game to be a part of.”
– Jamie Drysdale on his first game as a Flyer, quote from post-game report on NBC Sports Philadelphia
Owen Tippett
Tippett only had one goal this game, but boy, was he flying. He couldn’t connect again after his first goal, but he ended the game with five shots on goal, one attempt blocked, and three missed shots. It’s no secret that, with Tortorella, a player must earn his ice time. Tippett easily earned every second of his 20:18 ice time.
Fast Stats
Power Play: 1-2
Penalty Kill: 1-1
Blocked Shots: 16
Hits: 16
SOG: 39
Three Stars of the Game
- Sean Couturier (SO winner)
- Morgan Frost (1G)
- Cayden Primeau (37 saves)
The Infamous Dog Mask:
Who better to wear the dog mask than the new Flyer?
The Flyers begin a three-game road trip on Friday against Minnesota at 8:00 p.m.
