Flyers Crushed by Blackhawks

With just eight games left in the regular season and the Washington Capitals trailing by only a point in the Metropolitan division, the Flyers are under pressure as they seek two crucial points against the Chicago Blackhawks at home.

Flyers fans had a chance to see rising star Connor Bedard in action, the Blackhawks’ first overall pick in the 2023 NHL draft, making his NHL debut on October 10th, 2023.

Lukas Reichel gave the Blackhawks a 1-0 lead just 2:01 into the first period with a wrap-around goal past Philadelphia’s goaltender Sam Ersson, assisted by Jarred Tinordi and Andreas Athanasiou.

The Flyers earned the game’s first power play when Jaycob Megna was called for hooking at 6:51 of the first period, but they couldn’t capitalize despite generating good chances and shots in close.

Philipp Kurashev extended Chicago’s lead to 2-0 at the 17:00 mark of the first period, capitalizing on a Flyers turnover with an assist from Connor Bedard and Alex Vlasic.

Scott Laughton’s spirited fight with Ryan Donato aimed to shift momentum for the Flyers.

Tyson Foerster got the Flyers on the board just 17 seconds into the second period, beating Chicago’s goaltender Arvid Soderblom under the blocker with an assist from Garnet Hathaway.

Connor Bedard’s goaltender interference penalty gave the Flyers their second power play, but they couldn’t generate offense as the Blackhawks had shorthanded chances.

Second Period

Jarred Tinordi’s tripping penalty at 11:21 of the second period gave the Flyers their third power play, resulting in good shots on goal but no score.

The Blackhawks capitalized on a power play when Nick Foligno scored, assisted by Kurashev and Tyler Johnson, extending their lead to 3-1.

Joey Anderson scored on a breakaway at 9:09 of the third period to give the Blackhawks a 4-1 lead, with an assist from Reichel.

Flyers penalties continued with Laughton’s high-sticking, followed by Donato’s interference, resulting in 4-on-4 play and an eventual Blackhawks power play, which they couldn’t convert.

Chicago Puts On Finishing Touches

MacKenzie Entwistle’s goal at 14:33 of the third period made it 5-1 Blackhawks, assisted by Joey Anderson and Wyatt Kaiser.

Ersson saved 19 of 24 shots faced, while Soderblom saved 30 of 31 shots.

The Flyers’ power play went 0 for 3 and penalty kill was 2 for 3 as they dropped to a wildcard spot after failing to secure valuable points.

Goal Summary:

1st Period
Reichel (4) Assists: Tinordi (9), Athanasiou (7)
Kurashev (16) Assists: Bedard (36), Vlasic (14)

2nd Period
Foerster (20) Assists: Hathaway (8)
Foligno (17) (Power Play) Assists: Kurashev (33), Johnson (13)

3rd Period
Anderson (4) Assists: Reichel (9)
Entwistle (5) Assists: Anderson (12), Kaiser (6)

Flyers Next Game:

Flyers’ next game is Monday, April 1st, in Philadelphia against the New York Islanders.

MEGHAN REILLY IS A CONTRIBUTOR AND LIVE GAME TWEETER FOR HW HOCKEY
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