Flyers Earn Hard Fought Win vs Capitals

The Philadelphia Flyers ended a 6-game losing streak Saturday afternoon at the Wells Fargo Center. Beating the Washington Capitals 2-1.

Claude Giroux needed just 11-seconds to get the Flyers on the board. Winning the opening face-off & scoring the 2nd fastest goal in Flyers history to start a game.

Using the momentum from Giroux’s early tally, the Flyers would dominate the opening period vs the Capitals. Finishing the period with a punch after massive hit by Rasmus Ristolainen.

Ristolainen would lay a huge hit on Joe Snively behind the Flyers net as the Capitals second power-play ended. Then, would beat Alex Ovechkin to the puck & send the Flyers on a 3v1 as Derick Brassard exited the penalty box.

Cam Atkinson would get his team leading 18th goal of the season on the 3v1. Taking the drop pass from Scott Laughton & firing a shot high over Ilya Samsonov’s glove.

In the 2nd period, the Flyers were holding their own. Up until a horrendous sequence by the two referee’s that changed the momentum.

Isaac Ratcliffe was boarded in the Washington zone by Dmitry Orlov. Which should have resulted in a Flyers power-play. But, no call was made & on the ensuring rush, Ratcliffe was called for a penalty on a clean hit next to Flyers net.

On the power-play, it would take the Capitals just 14-seconds to flip the momentum. TJ Oshie getting his 6th goal on the season.

The Flyers would survive the Capitals onslaught for the final 13-minutes of the 2nd period. Would take a 2-1 lead into the 3rd period.

In the 3rd period, the Flyers would be a team on a mission. Putting forth their best effort to close out a game in months.

The Capitals would fire 26-shots in the 3rd period. Only 8 of those shots made it to Carter Hart. The Flyers blocked 9-shots, led by Scott Laughton & Isaac Ratcliffe who both had 2-blocks. As well as, forcing 9-shots wide.

After an intense & fast-paced final 20-minutes, the Flyers held on & beat the Capitals 2-1.

Carter Hart stopped 27 of the 28 shots he faced in the win.

Claude Giroux Scores 11-Seconds In

As the puck dropped for the Capitals & Flyers afternoon matinee, no-one expected it to take just 11-seconds for the opening goal.

After only taking part in the first drill of warmups, Capitals goalie Ilya Samsonov was questionable to make the start. But, as the teams took the ice for the game, Samsonov led the Capitals onto the ice.

Just 11-seconds after the puck was dropped, Claude Giroux fire one by a shaky Samsonov. Scoring his 17th goal of the season.

Giroux’s goal was the fastest goal to start a game for the Flyers since Tim Kerr in 1989. (8-seconds)

Joel Farabee Returns

One player who the Flyers have desperately missed is Joel Farabee. Today, Farabee returned from a shoulder injury.

Farabee, who has missed the last 11-games, played in his first game since January 20th.

In his return, Farabee has an assist in 20:28 of ice time.

Result : Capitals 1 – Flyers 2 , WIN

Record :   16 – 26 – 10

Next Game : Tuesday 3/1 vs Edmonton Oilers , Philadelphia PA , 7:00pm