After receiving a 6-0 beating at the hands of the Boston Bruins on Monday afternoon, the Flyers got themselves back in the win column Tuesday night with a 5-2 win over the Anaheim Ducks at Wells Fargo Center. Kevin Hayes notched his first career hat trick in a contest that Philadelphia was firmly in control for much of the game.
In addition to the Hayes hatty, Rasmus Ristolainen scored his first goal of the season and recorded the Flyers’ League-leading ninth shorthanded goal of the season. Scott Laughton picked up an assist on the goal, giving him his league-leading seventh shorthanded point this year. According to NHL stats, Laughton became the first Flyers player with seven shorthanded points in a season since Claude Giroux in 2010-11.
Rookie sensation Sam Ersson was solid in goal, picking up his fifth straight win of the season making 25 saves. The Flyers have won six of their last eight games and will host the lowly Chicago Blackhawks on Thursday.
Did you Know?
According to NHL stats, Kevin Hayes scored the 50th hat trick of the NHL season. The 2022-23 campaign marked the fifth NHL season in the last 30 years where the 50th hat trick was scored by Jan. 17 or earlier, following 2018-19 (Jan. 12), 2000-01 (Jan. 9), 1993-94 (Jan. 15) and 1992-93 (Dec. 23).
Pride Night and Provorov
Tuesday night’s game against Anaheim was Pride Night at the Wells Fargo Center. During warmups, the players donned special rainbow-colored jerseys in honor of the initiative; well, all players except defensemen Ivan Provorov. The Flyers defensemen went on to play in the game after choosing not to participate in the pride night festivities and he and coach John Tortorella addressed the situation during the post-game media availability.
Provorov cited his Russian Orthodox faith as his reason to not participate.
The NHL has offered a statement on the situation Wednesday, per Frank Seravalli.
