PHILADELPHIA — The Philadelphia Flyers looked like the worst possible version of themselves. Then the best possible version. Then, the worst possible version once more. They couldn’t survive their second extended flirtation with that degree of awful.
After an ugly first period resulted in a 3-0 deficit, the Flyers spent the final two periods of regulation dominating the Columbus Blue Jackets, finally tying the contest with 9.6 seconds remaining on a Jamie Drysdale tally. But in overtime, the Flyers reverted back to their first period form, allowing consecutive 2-on-0s and ultimately Kent Johnson’s gamewinning goal, as Columbus locked down the 4-3 overtime win.
Noah Cates and Trevor Zegras also scored for the Flyers, who now have lost 11 of 14 games so far this season (3-7-4). Dan Vladar stopped just 11 shots in defeat, while former Flyer Cam Talbot was peppered with 31 shots, stopping 28 of them to earn the victory.
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6 Comments (4 conversations)
Mike
Great insights Charlie! Amazing comeback then an ugly OT. I did notice Michkov should have come off. The film of the winning 2-0 OT breakaway (not the 2-0 breakaway before that) had a great display of Michkov being gassed as he chased the play. A lesson for the young lad!
Marc
Was it ever made public why Torts went nuts on York, resulting in his firing?
The Flyers can’t have 2 defenseman with Drysdale and York’s size, not playing physical AND ALSO not moving pucks well and creating offense. Drysdale’s skating is plus. York’s isn’t. They moved pucks much better, more consistently last year. This needs to change – either by their play, or by packaging York with Tippett to get a fast, top 6 C, or a top 4 D who can defend, move pucks and create offense.
Charlie O'Connor
AuthorTorts benched him after a bad first period in Toronto, and then they had a blowup in the locker room. They didn’t come to blows, but it was apparently a screaming match. Spitting Chiclets reported that Torts basically told York he would bury him in the lineup for as long as he was coach, and York more or less told him he’d outlast the old man.
Marc
Thank you. 👍
Matt
It seems like Tocchet heard all the cries to increase Mitchkov’s ice time and finally said, ok, here’s 7 more minutes of ice time. Oh look he messed up in OT, see it’s not that.
Why is York and Drysdale a line again? Why is he sending out York and Mitchcov out together in OT (MM should have changed, yes). And why are Bump and Knuble now in the 12 min TOI level? It’s like Tocchet is just winging out there. Does he not listen to people for assistance?
Michael Curran
I stated the other day that Flyers should never think the have a game won against any opponent. In addition the Flyers playing a bad period or a bad 30 minutes is in excusable. It will lead to a loss on any given night. They do not have high end talent to flip the switch. It takes them the remainder of the game to try to recover. Its a long season I understand and you won’t play 60 minute hockey every single time out but the Flyers have lost 11 of 14 that tells me that haven’t played 60 minute hockey for over 75 percent of their games so far. It will probably be a major accomplishment if they can play 60 minute hockey in 50 percent of their games.
They flat out are not good enough.