With the Philadelphia Flyers just ten days from their season opener, the battle for the final roster spots are coming down to the wire. In particular, the one for the final top-9 roster spot on the third line right wing.
Tyson Foerster and Bobby Brink have been battling over the past three weeks for the right to the spot. A battle that came to a head tonight against the Boston Bruins.
With John Tortorella behind the bench for the first time this preseason, the Flyers forwards group resembled what could be the opening night top-9. A formation that had Foerster in the lineup and Brink the last man out.
Foerster started on a line with Scott Laughton and Noah Cates. Which, very could well be the Flyers opening night third line. Brink started on a line with Wade Allison and Ryan Poehling. A line that will be more than likely constructed of Nic Deslauriers, Poehling, and Garnet Hathaway on opening night.
In the 1st period, Foerster and Brink traded power-play chances. Both showing off their passing ability.
Brink’s would come on the Flyers first power-play. A pass to the back post to Noah Cates set up Cates for a tap-in if it was not for Jeremy Swayman’s diving pad save.
Foerster’s would come on the Flyers second power-play. A cross-ice pass to a driving Cam Atkinson who, again, was robbed by a sliding Swayman post to post. Foerster would then almost beat Swayman with a slap shot, his calling card in the NHL. But, Swayman would say no.
To start the 2nd period, things would change for Brink at the cost of Foerster.
Brink would be elevated to the Flyers top line, alongside Sean Couturier and Joel Farabee. Foerster, on the other hand, would now be the odd man out and find himself on the fourth line.
“Thought we were a little flat,” John Tortorella said postgame. “It is hard for me to keep Bobby away from the Top6 right now. Just was looking to shake it up.”
While Brink was originally given with an assist on the Flyers third goal of the 2nd period. However, it was quickly changed after the goal was rightfully credited to Joel Farabee.
Brink skated a total of 15:59 in the game with three shots on goal. Capping off an impressive three game in four night stretch with one goal and two assists.
Foerster skated a total of 17:17 in the game with one shot on goal.
“You guys are a little mistaking on the Bobby & Tyson, its not just between them,” John Tortorella noted. “It’s a positive when you’re kind of scratching your head, thinking well… where are we going here?”
Tortorella added “thought Tyson’s 5v5 play was really good. Think he is just fighting a little bit on power-play. But, he made some really nice cross ice passes.”
Joel Farabee, who was a late cut in his first training camp, provided on insight on why its not the end of the world.
“Remember being so upset that I didn’t make the team and you kinda just have to look at the big picture,” Farabee said. “Both these guys are going to be up at somepoint this season.”
Game Notes…
Sam Ersson stopped of the Bruins shots fired his way to earn his first win of the preseason.
Cam Atkinson started off the scoring for the Flyers in the 2nd period. Atkinson’s goal was his first of the preseason and first since March 18th, 2022 against the Ottawa Senators.
Travis Konecny quickly made it 2-1 for the Flyers. Konecny’s and Atkinson’s goals were separated by 58-seconds.
Joel Farabee capped off a three goal 2nd period for the Flyers. Farabee would tip home Ronnie Attard’s point shot late in the 2nd period.
Morgan Frost would get his first points of the preseason. Ending the game with two assists.
NEXT GAME: Thursday 10/5 New York Islanders
