The Philadelphia Flyers started their preseason on a high note. Beating the Boston Bruins 2-1 Saturday night at the Wells Fargo Center.
With Flyers head coach John Tortorella watching from the press box, the puck dropped and the preseason begun. And yes, it was very much a preseason first period for the Flyers.
Just 3:05 into the 1st period, the Bruins would get their first of four 1st period power-plays. Including an 5-on-3 for 44-seconds.
Felix Sandstrom, who is battling for the backup behind Carter Hart, faced a tough 1st period due to those four penalties. But, Sandstrom shined and stopped all 16-Bruin shots fired his way in the first period.
It was not the best start for the lineup set by GM Chuck Fletcher and his staff. Fletcher will make the rosters for the first three games before head coach John Tortorella takes the reins in preseason game four.
After withstanding a tough 1st period, the Flyers came out with jump in the 2nd period. Leading to an early power-play and an 5-on-3. Resulting in the games first goal.
Noah Cates, who is battling for a bottom six role, got the Flyers on the board. Cates slammed home a beautiful cross-ice feed from Morgan Frost. “That’s Frosty,” Phantoms head coach Ian Lapierre of Frost’s pass.
With 9:50 left in the 2nd period, Felix Sandstrom’s night was done. Finishing a perfect 17 for 17. Troy Grosenick took over for the second half of the game.
After the Bruins tied the game with 7:10 left in the 3rd period, the other Cates brother would give the Flyers the lead.
Jackson Cates would deflect home an Egor Zamula point shot to give the Flyers a 2-1 lead.
Troy Grosenick stopped 14 of the 15 shots he faced to earn the win.
Loose Pucks…
- Felix Sandstrom impressed in his first start of the preseason. Sandstrom and the penalty kill were impressive in the 1st period. Holding the Bruins power-play scoreless on four power-play opportunities. Sandstrom finished a perfect 17 for 17.
- Forming a bond with your teammates is something head coach John Tortorella has been focusing on during training camp. This showed in the 1st period when Wade Allison came to the aide of Antoine Roussel, who took a clean open ice hit. “Bringing an identity of standing up for each other,” Phantoms head coach Ian Lapierre said about Allison’s fight.
- The penalty kill was a major offseason problem the Flyers desperately needed to fix. That job is now the main priority for Flyers assistant coach Brad Shaw. Tonight, the Flyers penalty kill was 6 for 6.
- Tyson Foerster & Ronnie Attard led all Flyers in shots. Both finishing the night with 5.
- The Cates brothers, Noah & Jackson, both scored goals for the Flyers.
- Morgan Frost finished the night with an assist on the Flyers first goal. But, his work on the Flyers penalty kill was his highlight of the night. Frost showed some promising signs on his first stint on the penalty kill.
Result : Bruins 1 – Flyers 2 , WIN
Record : 1 – 0 – 0
Next Game : Tuesday 9/27 vs Buffalo Sabres, Buffalo NY, 7:00pm
PHOTO CREDIT: Len Redkoles – Getty Images
