The Flyers traveled to Boston to take on one of the league’s best teams with a chance to grab some much-needed points. With the playoff race getting smaller, every point collected is valuable.
Head Coach John Tortorella returned behind the bench for the Flyers after serving a 2-game suspension he received last Thursday against Toronto. His presence behind the bench was much needed as the team fell flat against the Maple Leafs earlier in the week.
Flyers on the Board First
Ryan Poehling got the Flyers off to a fast start as he gave them a 1-0 lead just 4:18 into the first period. He found himself on a 2-on-1 with Garnet Hathaway and snapped the puck past Boston’s Jeremy Swayman. Hathaway and Yegor Zamula were credited with assists.
Morgan Geekie tied the game up at 1-1 as he blasted a snapshot over the blocker of Philadelphia’s Felix Sandstrom. The goal happened at the 15:51 mark of the first period. Jake DeBrusk and Parker Wotherspoon were given assists.
The Flyers got the game’s first power play late in the period as Brandon Carlo was called for tripping. They weren’t able to capitalize on the opportunity, but Travis Konecny had a great chance on a wide-open net, but the puck bounced over his stick.
Charlie McAvoy took an illegal check to the head penalty and both Travis Sanheim and Charlie Coyle took roughing penalties. This gave the Flyers their second power play of the game. They again weren’t able to get a puck past Sawayman.
Farabee Briefly Gives Flyers the Lead
Just after the power play ended, Joel Farabee gave the Flyers a 2-1 lead on a tip-in. He redirected a shot by Cam York from the blue line. The goal happened at the 12:01 mark of the second period. York and Owen Tippett got the assists.
The Bruins got their first power play of the game as Tyson Foerster was called for hooking. Coyle received a nice pass from Brad Marchand in front of the net and got a snapshot past Sandstrom. Marchand and Pavel Zacha were credited with assists.
Cam York and Jake DeBrusk took roughing penalties as the second period concluded. The third period would start with some 4 on 4 hockey.
Bruins Pour It On Early
Charlie Coyle gave the Bruins their first lead of the game as he went short side on Sandstrom and put the puck up and over his right shoulder. This made the score 3-2 Bruins. David Pastrnak and Hampus Lindholm got the assists.
The Bruins then started to explode as John Beecher collected his own rebound and put the puck over the right pad of Sandstrom at the 3:45 mark of the third period. This gave the Bruins a 4-2 lead. Andrew Peeke and Adam Boqvist were given assists.
DeBrusk gave the Bruins a 5-2 lead 4:04 into the third period as he made a great deke around Sandstrom in tight and wristed one into the net. Marchand and Lindholm got the assists.
The Flyers got their second power play of the game as Danton Heinen was called for playing with a broken stick. There were some good shots on net, but none got through Swayman.
Foerster gave the Bruins their second power play of the night as he was called for tripping Marchand. The Flyers were able to kill it off with some blocked shots and nice saves by Sandstrom.
Flyers Mount Comeback
As all hope seemed lost for the Flyers Nic Deslauriers got them back to within two as he scored his first of the season at the 14:12 mark of the third period. He received a nice pass from Sean Couturier and wrapped it around and into the net. Deslauriers got lucky as Swayman was looking the other way. This goal made it 5-3 Bruins.
Morgan Frost then got the Flyers back within one as he went between the legs and over the right shoulder of Swayman at the 15:14 mark. Frost received a nice pass from Tippett to set him up in front. Frost’s goal made it 5-4. Tippett and York were given assists.
Absolute filth from Morgan Frost
— James Iacovone (@JimIkeHW) March 17, 2024
Heinen gave the Bruins a 6-4 lead as he caught York on a long shift and put one over the glove of Sandstrom at the 17:01 mark. Trent Frederic received the only assists.
Farabee kept the Flyers in the game as he scored his second goal of the game to make it 6-5 with an extra attacker. He was successful with a wrap-around attempt as the puck went off of Swayman and into the net. Tippett and Konecny got the assists.
The Flyers comeback came up just short, but they showed a lot of fight until the final horn sounded.
Sandstrom was solid most of the night but could only save 24 of 30 shots faced. Swayman was also decent as he saved 24 of 29 shots faced.
Flyers power play struggled as they went 0 for 3 on the night but were able to kill 1 of 2 of Boston’s power plays.
The Flyers missed out on two huge points tonight, but they showed great resiliency in the end.
Goal Summary:
1st Period
Poehling (9) Assists: Hathaway (5), Zamula (13)
Geekie (16) Assists: DeBrusk (19), Wotherspoon (7)
2nd Period
Farabee (20) Assists: York (17), Tippett (17)
Coyle (22) (Power Play) Assists: Marchand (33), Zacha (29)
3rd Period
Coyle (23) Assists: Pastrnak (55), Lindholm (22)
Beecher (6) Assists: Peeke (8), Boqvist (7)
DeBrusk (17) Assists: Marchand (34), Lindholm (23)
Deslauriers (1) Unassisted
Frost (11) Assists: Tippett (18), York (18)
Heinen (13) Assists: Frederic (20)
Farabee (21) Assists: Tippett (19), Konecny (31)
Flyers Next Game:
Flyers’ next game is Tuesday, March 19th in Philadelphia against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
MEGHAN REILLY IS A CONTRIBUTOR AND LIVE GAME TWEETER FOR HW HOCKEY
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