The Philadelphia Flyers lost their second straight game Saturday afternoon at the Wells Fargo Center. Losing to the Ottawa Senators 4-1 in Claude Giroux’s return to Philadelphia.
When Claude Giroux was traded to the Florida Panthers last season, it was an emotional night for the lifelong Flyer.
In his 1000th game, his last as a Flyer, Giroux watched his now former teammates comeback late in the 3rd period to send him off with a win. Something that Giroux’s new teammates, the Ottawa Senators, wanted to do for Giroux today.
“Brady told me he really wanted to get me this win,” Giroux told the media post-game.
After leaving in a trade that sent Giroux to the Florida Panthers, Giroux did not know when his return to Philadelphia would come. Something that Giroux said post-game was like finally “cutting the cord” on some lasting emotions Giroux has for the city that he called home for 14-seasons.
“It was tough; fans here treated me well; some many memories in this building,” Giroux said about his return. “Coming in the building, seeing faces I saw for 14-years, it was tough; going to remember this game for a long time.”
Giroux added “I respect this fan base so much, the organization, the players that play on that team.”
The Philadelphia fans obviously made this a special return for Giroux. But, on the ice, his former teammates welcomed him just the way Giroux would have wanted, with their mouths and playful chirps on the ice.
“Tk had a few good ones in Ottawa; Sanny today and Laughty; the guys you expect to give it to me,” Giroux said about being chirped by his former teammates. “I really enjoyed it.”
But, that was not the only thing Giroux loved about his return. The Flyers surprised Giroux with a video tribute before the game. Something Giroux said was extremely tough to watch. Especially with his first shift being moments away.
“That video… I wish they would have showed the video at the end of the game,” Giroux said jokingly. “To show the video and then go for a shift right away, that was tough.”
Penalties, Penalties, & More Penalties
Head coach John Tortorella was a man of few words after today’s 4-1 loss to the Ottawa Senators. But, when Tortorella did make his remarks, it was on one subject, penalties.
After getting the first three power-plays of the game, Tortorella knew they would even out in some way or fashion the rest of the game.
“You win in the national hockey league when you face two opponents, your opponent and yourself,” Tortorella said postgame. “Too many stupid penalties.”
Tortorella added “they were penalties; they were penalties; they were dumb penalties; we put ourselves in a jam with those penalties.”
Former Captain Claude Giroux Makes His Return
Former captain Claude Giroux made his first return to the building that he called home for 14-seasons. An emotional day for Giroux.
In his return, Giroux had 2-assists in 17:13 of ice-time.
Result : Senators 4 – Flyers 1 , LOSS
Record : 7 – 5 – 2
Next Game : Sunday 11/13 , Dallas Stars , Philadelphia PA , 1:00pm
PHOTO CREDIT: Len Redkoles – Getty Images
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