I really don’t agree with the decision to start Ersson in this one. Actually I was disappointed that they did. Vladar has clearly been the much better goalie so far, and in a high profile game like this, in my mind at least, he should have been the starter. Even in the ESPN booth, Messier was critical of Ersson giving up such a seemingly easy goal on that first Pen score.
I do agree that the Flyers have to get stronger in finishing scoring plays. It’s painful to watch all of that fine effort go for nothing, and then to watch the opposition get an easy goal when your own goalie gives one up quickly.
However, Danny Briere deserves much credit for the team he has put together along with Rick Toccet’s handling of the team so far. I can’t imagine that facing the Flyers is something many teams would want to do often, as they seem to make teams earn anything they are going to get. This team is starting to be alot of fun to watch. The power play seems to be very slowly coming around, the PK is looking good and if the big guns on the team begin scoring as they might, things could get very interesting this year.

Beating the Pens no matter how it is accomplished is always fantastic. The rivalry never died in this fan’s heart.

I hope this is the spark that sets this rivalry back on fire. It’s been far too long since it meant much of anything.

Really enjoyable game to watch in general. Great resilience from the team to bounce back from the overturned goal and keep pressing. LOVED the scrum, these team needs skill but skill with grit and camaraderie are huge.

You captured the vibe of this game really well, Charlie, this line was especially good: “Tuesday felt like a doctor took the rivalry’s lifeless body and shocked it back to attention with a defibrillator.” I am here for it as hating the Pens is much easier when both teams are in contention. Brink as you noted was especially good in this game and his shootout goal was the best that I have seen from him, where did that come from? Way better than his previous attempt which was a dud.