The Philadelphia Flyers continue to set new lows on a nightly basis. Which has interim head coach Mike Yeo growing frustrated with his group.
Mike Yeo’s frustration level is starting to boil over for the Flyers. Something that has been growing over the past month with the Flyers reluctancy to play any form of consistent hockey.
“It’s the things that you do to win games. And, still before that moment in the game, I’m sure you guys probably agree, it’s not like we all felt real good about our game. Even when we had the lead,” Yeo said of the Flyers performance vs Montreal on Sunday.
One of the most re-used quotes, as Yeo re-iterated again tonight, is the Flyers inability to finish a game. Especially in the 3rd period.
Over the last 32 games, the Flyers have had the lead, been tied, or with-in one goal of their opponent in the 3rd period in those 27 of them. The Flyers record in those 27 games is 7-13-7.
“Have to keep finding ways to get players to understand that you can play the way you want to play or you can play winning hockey,” an irritated Yeo said postgame on Sunday.
Yeo added “there’s a way to play with the puck where you’re not turning it over and giving free ice and giving freebies to a team that has skill. We still refuse to do that.”
With the Flyers refusal to play their head coach’s style of hockey, messages are now having to be sent. Messages that Yeo wasn’t blunt about after the Flyers 4-3 loss to Montreal on Sunday.
“Take ice time away, put guys on the fourth line, scratch guys if we have to,” Yeo said. “I don’t even know if we have enough to call guys up. These are veteran players we’re going to have to do it to too. Got to get the job done.”
Yeo’s latest message came after Sunday’s debacle.
On Sunday, the Flyers found yet another improbable way to lose a game. Giving up the tying goal, while on the power-play, with 42.1 left in regulation. Just later to lose in overtime off yet another turnover.
Many thought the Flyers debacle vs the Washington Capitals on February 17th was the cream of the crop. When the Flyers gave up 3 goals in the final 2:57 to lose 5-3.
However, just two weeks later, the Flyers blew four leads vs the Minnesota Wild. Eventually giving up the game winning goal just 25-seconds after the Wild’s 4th tying goal.
“You don’t have to scroll too far into the game. You just look at the highlights and see some goals,” a furious Yeo said after losing to Minnesota on March 3rd. “We had pucks on our sticks and opportunities to make plays and we didn’t.”
Most of this Flyers team will not be around next season. Including Mike Yeo, who will not be a candidate to be named the full-time head coach.
But, you have to feel for Yeo. Who is doing everything possible to get something out of this Flyers group.
It’s just a shame the team will not buy into their interim head coaches systems & style of hockey now 38 games into his tenure.
PHOTO CREDIT: Eliot J. Schechter – Getty Images
