The Philadelphia Flyers lost their second straight game Wednesday night at the Wells Fargo Center. Lose 4-1 to the Carolina Hurricanes.
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If the Flyers last two opponents could tell you anything, it is what they hope to be one day. A fast, resilient, hard checking team that lets their hard work set up their offense.
Carolina opened the scoring just 30 seconds into the game. A result of the Hurricanes forecheck causing a turnover in the corner. Followed by an innocent point shot that fluttered by a heavily screened Ivan Fedotov.
As if the first shift wasn’t enough, the Flyers then got hounded by the much faster Hurricanes. Losing races, getting out-checked… it looked like it would be a long night once again.
However, like Monday against the Avalanche, the Flyers took their wounds on their chests and battled back. Much in part to another strong goal-tending performance by Ivan Fedotov.
When a save was needed, Fedotov sure was there to make it. Especially in the 1st period after allowing the early goal. Stopping multiple high danger chances, including a 2-on-0 mid-way thru the period.
Fedotov followed up his impressive 1st period with an even better 2nd period. Stopping all 10 Hurricanes shots fired his way.
Tonight was a save highlight reel for Fedotov. His biggest and best coming with under 14 seconds left in the 2nd period. Double pad stacking to make the first save and then diving back across the crease to make the second.
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Ryan Poehling gave the Hurricanes a taste of their own medicine to tie the game in the 2nd period.
His first goal of the season was a twisted wrister that blew past Pyotr Kochetkov. Who was slow to react as Poehling fired it through former Flyer Sean Walker’s legs.
The Flyers were holding their own against one of the best teams in the NHL until they weren’t. Completely unraveling in the 3rd period.
Carolina would score three times in the first 6:57 of the period. All three goals resulting from the little things the best teams in the NHL do so well… playing speed, resiliency, and hard on the forecheck.
From the drop of the puck in the 3rd period, the Hurricanes just looked like the Stanley Cup contender they are. While the Flyers looked like the rebuilding team they are.
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Ivan Fedotov finished with 33 saves in the losing effort, ending his three game win streak.
Scott Laughton did not take a shift for the final 14:47 of the 2nd period. An in game message sent by John Tortorella who said postgame it was due to his turnovers.
“We were talking about playing forward, playing straight ahead. Laughts turns it over, first shift of the game… I need him to lead the way,” Tortorella said postgame. “I can’t have him just turn one over the first shift after we just spent the whole meeting talking about.”
The Flyers fall 8-10-2 on the season. Next up, the Chicago Blackhawks on Saturday afternoon at 1:00pm.
PHOTO CREDIT: Len Redkoles – Getty Images
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