Saturday’s game in Boston and Sunday’s games against Utah H.C. mark the Flyers fifth of 13 back-to-back sets this season. This weekend, the Flyers lost both. Let’s wrap on all the sights and sounds of the game:
It’s Joel-Over
At long last, Joel Farabee has scored a goal again. The 24 year-old forward snapped a 12-game goal drought Sunday. It hasn’t been due to a lack of chances for Farabee, who has played well for some time, but had run into some horrible luck over this goal-less stretch.
“I wish I didn’t take it from Seels,” Farabee said. “I wished I would just blocked the dee and let it go in.”
Nick Seeler’s shot did appear to be going in without Farabee’s tap-in assistance, but you can never underestimate what seeing the puck go in can do for a players’ confidence. The tally was Farabee’s fourth of the season.
Drysdale and Ersson Return to Lineup
The Flyers received some good news prior to Sunday’s game, as both Jamie Drysdale and Sam Ersson returned to the lineup. Drysdale took 24 shifts and logged 18:54 of total ice time in the loss. He also had a goal called back on goaltender interference as well.
Perhaps a positive sign was that the young defensemen was credited with three takeaways, taking the opportunity to jump into passing lanes and move the puck forward. All in all, it was a good first game back for Drysdale.
Ersson, on the other hand, played a better game than his numbers would suggest. The young Swede goaltender made 12 saves in the first period and looked sharp overall in his return.
“I thought Sam played well and looked confident,” John Tortorella said. “And I was very encouraged with Jamie’s game.”
They Said It
John Tortorella on Morgan Frost’s Gaffe that to the Fourth Utah Goal: “It sucks. He won’t do that again the rest of his career. I had no problems with his game.”
Joel Farabee on the Goaltender Interference Call on Travis Konecny: “Goalies don’t have to fight in this league anymore. They feel contact, they throw their head back and it gets called off every time. It’s kind of ridiculous.”
Jamie Drysdale on the Flyers 6-8-1 Home Record: “It’s definitely disappointing considering we have the best fans in the league. You want to perform in front of them.
Sam Ersson on His Play in the Second Period: “It’s one of these things for me where I need to come up with one extra save for us to get a chance to win.”
Did You Know?
Per NHL stats, Travis Konecny (28 GP) recorded his 19th assist of the season on Farabee’s goal. The last Flyers player to post 20 before his 30th game of a season was Jake Voracek (28 GP in 2020-21).
On Deck
The Flyers will take a brief trip to Ohio to take on the Columbus Blue Jackets on Tuesday for a 7:00 p.m. puckdrop. The game will be broadcast locally on NBCSP.
