The Philadelphia Flyers made it two wins in a row Tuesday night at the Wells Fargo Center. Beating the St. Louis Blues 5-1.
The Flyers have struggled to score the game’s first goal to start the season. In nine of eleven games, the Flyers have given up the first goal.
Tonight, that was not the case and it led to another big bright spot in the 2nd period.
After controlling most of the 1st period, the Flyers did not have anything to show for it except a 18-10 shot advantage. Which, for the fresher legged Flyers, was just not good enough.
In the 2nd period, the Flyers continued their pressure and took advantage of the tired St. Louis Blues.
Quickly after the mid-way point of the period, the Flyers would score the first of three 2nd period goals. Scoring three goals on their final seven shots of the period.
Wade Allison got the Flyers on the board first. Driving hard to the net and redirecting Ivan Provorov’s shot up & over Thomas Greiss.
Travis Konecny would give the Flyers a 2-0 lead. Konecny and Owen Tippett worked a perfect 2v1 rush before Konecny snipped one back post to beat Greiss.
Noah Cates finish off the scoring with just 3-seconds left in the period. Cates would be the last leg in a tic-tac-toe setup by Scott Laughton & Travis Sanheim.
In the final 9:49 of the 2nd period, the Flyers fired seven shots at Thomas Greiss. Three of them made it to the back of the net for the Flyers best 2nd period of the season so far.
Rasmus Ristolainen Returns With A Vengeance
On Saturday, Flyers head coach John Tortorella sent a message to one of his veteran defenseman. A move that saw Rasmus Ristolainen being a healthy scratch in Ottawa.
Yesterday during his media availability, Tortorella did not beat around the bush when discussing Ristolainen’s game. “Everything about his game needs to be better,” Tortorella said.
Tonight, against the St. Louis Blues, Ristolainen made his return to the lineup. Playing the style of hockey that Tortorella expects from Ristolainen.
Answering his coach’s message, Ristolainen finished with 3-blocks in 16:03 (+2) of ice time.
Felix Sandstrom Gets 1st Career Win
When Felix Sandstrom left morning skate this morning, don’t think Felix himself would have expected to be starting tonight.
But, with Carter Hart feeling ill, the Flyers needed a starter. Sandstrom, who had only started in the back-half of all three Flyers back-to-backs this season, would get his first start with fresh legs.
Sandstrom, who was still looking for that elusive first win, got it tonight against the St Louis Blues. A night, and well day, that Felix will never forget.
In his 4th start of the season, Sandstrom made 28-saves on 29-Blues shots in his first career win.
Carter Hart Out Due To Illness
About three hours before puck drop, the Flyers had to make an emergency recall from the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. Recalling Samuel Ersson to backup now starter Felix Sandstrom.
Sandstrom, who was expected to be Carter Hart’s backup tonight, made the start for Hart, who missed tonight’s game due to illness.
Hart has been the Flyers backbone this season. Starting off the season with a 6-0-2 record with 1.97 GAA & .946%.
To allow Samuel Ersson to be recalled, the Flyers sent Egor Zamula to the Phantoms. Zamula will be back up with the Flyers when Ersson is sent back after Hart recovers from his illness.
Loose Pucks…
- Felix Sandstrom earned his first career win in the NHL. Sandstrom, who was named the starter after Carter Hart’s illness, stopped 28-shots in the win.
- Owen Tippett, Noah Cates, and Travis Konecny all had a goal and an assist vs the Blues.
- It was a team effort by the Flyers tonight. 11-players had a point in the game.
- Lucas Sedlak scored his first goal in a Flyers uniform in the 3rd period. It was Sedlak’s first goal since February 18th, 2019.
- The Flyers struggled once again from the face-off dot. Finishing below 50% for the 7th time in 12-games this season.
- Samuel Ersson was recalled due to the illness to Carter Hart to backup Felix Sandstrom. To make room for Ersson, Egor Zamula was loaned to the Phantoms.
Result : Blues 1 – Flyers 5 , WIN
Record : 7 – 3 – 2
Next Game : Thursday 11/10 , Columbus Blue Jackets , Columbus OH , 7:00pm
PHOTO CREDIT: Mitchell Leff – Getty Images
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