Flyers Struck Seven Times By Lightning

It was the Flyers’ last game of this 2-game road trip in Florida and their last meeting against the Tampa Bay Lightning for the regular season.

Trade deadline acquisitions Erik Johnson and Denis Gurianov suited up to make their Flyers debut after being acquired Friday afternoon during the NHL Trade Deadline.

Lightning Strike Early and Often

Victor Hedman got the Lightning on the board just 1:49 into the first period as his wrist shot flew past Philadelphia’s goaltender Sam Ersson. Assists went to Nikita Kucherov and Darren Raddysh.

Tampa Bay got the game’s first power play as Ronnie Attard was called for holding. They were able to capitalize as Nick Paul put a puck into a wide-open net. This gave the Lightning a 2-0 lead. Assists were awarded to Anthony Duclair and Darren Raddysh.

In hopes of giving the Flyers some momentum, Nic Deslauriers dropped the gloves with Austin Watson in a spirited fight. Both players were awarded five minutes for fighting.

The Lightning’s dominant first period continued as Connor Sheary gave them a 3-0 lead. Scott Laughton found himself on the right side, and Sheary was able to get a wrist shot underneath the arm of Ersson. Raddysh picked up his third assist of the period on the goal.

Attard committed his second penalty of the first period as he was called for tripping Michael Eyssimont. Garnet Hathaway then was given a 10-minute misconduct as he pushed Anthony Cirelli out of frustration. The Flyers allowed their emotions to get the best of them.

Brayden Point gave the Lightning a 4-0 lead on the power play as Ersson allowed a big rebound in front of him. The Flyers failed to clear the puck on the play. Steven Stamkos and Hedman were given the assists.

Ersson Pulled and John Tortorella Ejected

Ersson was pulled 10:49 into the first period and Felix Sandstrom replaced him. To make the period even worse, John Tortorella was thrown out of the game after being given a game misconduct penalty. Brad Shaw stepped in as coach.

The Flyers got their first power play of the game as Eyssimont was called for tripping Sandstrom. They weren’t able to capitalize but got a few good shots on net.

More of the Same in the Second

Flyers Captain Sean Couturier and newly acquired Matt Dumba dropped the gloves 9:04 into the second period. Not many punches were thrown, but the Flyers were trying to do anything they could to give them momentum. Both players were given five minutes for fighting.

Anthony Duclair scored at the 15:42 mark in the second period to give the Lightning a 5-0 lead. That was his first goal as a member of the Lightning. Stamkos was awarded the only assist after finding Duclair backdoor in front of Sandstrom after Mark Staal turned the puck over.

The Flyers got their second power play of the game at the 2:00 mark of the third period as Raddysh was called for cross-checking Cam Atkinson. The Flyers again weren’t able to capitalize on the opportunity.

Misery Continues

The scoring party continued for the Lightning as Hedman picked up his second goal of the night. Owen Tippett blocked Sandstrom’s vision, and the puck went past him. Point and Eyssimont picked up the helpers.

Couturier got called for high-sticking which gave the Lightning their fourth power play of the game. Brandon Hagel joined in on the scoring as he put one over the right shoulder of Sandstrom and in the net. This gave them a 7-0 lead. Raddysh and Eyssimont were awarded with assists.

The Flyers got their third power play of the game as Kucherov got called for holding. They struggled to get set up in the zone and get shots on net. This made them 0 for 3 on the night.

Andrei Vasilevskiy picked up his second shutout of the season as he saved all 25 shots faced. Ersson was only able to save 11 of 15 shots before being pulled in the first period while Felix Sandstrom saved 8 of 11 shots in relief.

The Flyers power play struggled as they went 0 for 3 on the night and shockingly struggled on the penalty kill as well as they allowed three Lightning goals on four opportunities. 

Goal Summary:

1st Period
Hedman (11) Assists: Kucherov (69), Raddysh (18)
Paul (18) Assists: Duclair (12), Raddysh (19)
Sheary (3) Assists: Raddysh (20)
Point (33) Assists: Stamkos (30), Hedman (52)

2nd Period
Duclair (17) Assists: Stamkos (31)

3rd Period
Hedman (12) Assists: Point (34), Raddysh (21)
Hagel (23) Assists: Raddysh (22), Eyssimont (9)

Flyers Next Game:

Flyers’ next game is Tuesday, March 12th in Philadelphia against the San Jose Sharks.

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