Maple Leafs Blow by Flyers

The Flyers are entering a grueling stretch of games and if they are to make the playoffs they’ll need to bring their “A” game.

This was the Flyers’ second and final game without head coach John Tortorella behind the bench as he continued to serve his two-game suspension.

Leafs Bombard Flyers Early

Tyler Bertuzzi got the Leafs off to a fast start by going backdoor on Flyers goaltender Sam Ersson. He received a pass from Auston Matthews to set up the tip, giving the Maple Leafs a 1-0 lead. Matthews and William Nylander were credited with the assists.

Pontus Holmberg extended the Leafs’ lead to 2-0 at 9:57 into the first period. The puck took a bad bounce off of Morgan Frost, allowing Holmberg to get a wrist shot past Ersson. Connor Dewar and Morgan Rielly were awarded assists.

The Flyers earned the game’s first power play as Morgan Rielly was called for hooking Dennis Gurianov. Although they were unable to capitalize, they managed to generate some good shots on net and create rebounds in tight.

Timothy Liljegren increased the Leafs’ lead to 3-0 at the 15:39 mark with a wrist shot past Ersson. Travis Sanheim blocked Ersson’s vision, resulting in the puck getting past him. Tyler Bertuzzi and Ilya Samsonov got the assists.

Ersson was pulled from the game after the first period, and Felix Sandstrom came in to relieve him. Ersson managed to save only 9 of the 12 shots he faced.

Flyers Hanging Around

The Flyers earned their second power play of the game as Jake McCabe was called for tripping. Owen Tippett capitalized on a good bounce off the boards and scored past Toronto’s goaltender Ilya Samsonov, making the score 3-1 Maple Leafs. Frost and Travis Konecny were credited with the assists.

Shortly after the Tippett goal, Sean Couturier was called for delay of game, giving the Maple Leafs their first power play of the game. Although the Leafs only managed to get one shot on goal, they hit the crossbar with another.

Bobby McMann was called for tripping Tippett, giving the Flyers their third power play of the game. Bobby Brink was later called for hooking with 55 seconds remaining, resulting in a 4-on-4 situation and an abbreviated Leafs power play. Although no goals were scored, the Flyers applied significant pressure around the net.

Leafs Finish Off Flyers

Matthews continued to dominate the Flyers, scoring 4:45 into the third period. Holmberg found him going up ice on the breakaway, and he put it past Sandstrom, giving the Leafs a 4-1 lead. Holmberg and Ilya Lyubushkin were credited with the assists.

Eight seconds later, Nylander scored to extend the lead to 5-1 for the Maple Leafs. Frost was out of position, allowing Nylander to get a shot off and past Sandstrom. Max Domi and David Kampf were credited with the assists.

Konecny was called for roughing, giving the Leafs their second power play of the game. The Flyers expressed frustration after the play ended, but the Leafs couldn’t capitalize despite getting some good shots off.

The Leafs continued to dominate as Matthew Knies scored at the 9-minute mark to make it 6-1. Three Flyers players lost their sticks during the play after blocking shots. McCabe and Liljegren were credited with assists.

Cam York took a roughing penalty against Matthews, giving the Leafs their third power play of the game. Tyson Foerster scored a shorthanded goal for the Flyers to make it 6-2. Couturier won a battle against the boards and passed to Sanheim, who set up Foerster for the slap shot. Sanheim and Couturier were credited with the assists.

Ersson was pulled from the game after the first period and Felix Sandstrom came in to relieve him. Ersson was only able to save 9 of 12 shots faced.

Samsonov was very solid for the Maple Leafs as he saved 26 of 28 shots.

The Flyers power play went one for three on the night and they were able to kill off all four of Toronto’s power plays. 

Goal Summary:

1st Period
Bertuzzi (13) Assists: Matthews (27), Nylander (51)
Holmberg (4) Assists: Dewar (5), Rielly (40)
Liljegren (3) Assists: Bertuzzi (18), Samsonov (1)

2nd Period
Tippett (24) (Power Play) Assists: Frost (24), Konecny (30)

3rd Period
Matthews (55) Assists: Holmberg (9), Lyubushkin (6)
Nylander (35) Assists: Domi (27), Kampf (8)
Knies (12) Assists: McCabe (18), Liljegren (16)
Foerster (17) (Shorthanded) Assists: Sanheim (31), Couturier (25)

Flyers Next Game:

Flyers’ next game is Saturday, March 16th in Boston against the Bruins.

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