The Philadelphia Flyers ended a two-game losing streak Saturday afternoon at the Wells Fargo Center. Beating the Chicago Blackhawks 3-2 in overtime.
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The last time Matvei Michkov and Connor Bedard faced each other was the 2021 U18 World Championship Gold Medal game. A game in which Michkov and Bedard both had multiple point games.
Today was the first meeting of the two former 2023 1st-round selections in the National Hockey League.
Unlike the Gold Medal game, the two struggled to produce much of anything until it mattered.
Both started overtime against each other. But, Michkov would get the game winner in overtime. His 7th goal of the season completed the Flyers three goal comeback.
Chicago took advantage of two ill-timed mistakes by the Flyers top line – Owen Tippett + Sean Couturier + Travis Konecny – for the opening two goals.
The first after an 4-on-2 by the line resulted in no shot on goal and a turnover in-front. In turn, resulting in an 2-on-1 by the Blackhawks and the opening goal with 8:31 left in the 1st period.
Then, a wide shot by Owen Tippett mid-way thru the 2nd period resulted in a rush up ice by Chicago. With the Flyers slow to get back, Patrick Maroon found a loose puck and squeaked one by Aleksei Kolosov.
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In the 3rd period, it was like a completely different story. The Flyers would tie the game with two goals in a span of 2:38.
Sean Couturier’s 4th goal of the season finished off a tic-tac-toe pass play with Travis Konecny to Rasmus Ristolainen. Ending a 10-game goal-less drought.
Noah Cates 1st goal of the season beat Petr Mrazek high over the blocker. A result of sustained pressure after Couturier’s goal.
Cam York made his return after missing the past 14 games with an upper-body injury. He entered the lineup for Egor Zamula.
His return to the lineup reunited the Flyers top defense pair – with Travis Sanheim – to start the game. But, as the game went on, the two were split up.
York did not get an assist on Noah Cates’s tying goal. But, his screen in-front played a big part in the goal.
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Aleksei Kolosov won his first career game in the NHL.
In his 5th career start, he made 19-saves in the Flyers 3-2 win over the Blackhawks.
Before the game, the Flyers sent Anthony Richard back to the Lehigh Valley Phantoms to make room for the returning Cam York. He had 2-goals and 4-assists in 7-games with the Flyers.
The Flyers improve to 9-10-2 on the season. Next up, the Vegas Golden Knights on Monday at 7:00pm to conclude their five-game home-stand.
PHOTO CREDIT: Len Redkoles – Getty Images
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