If it feels like the Carolina Hurricanes never, ever beat the Flyers, it's because they very rarely do. Even more rare is a Flyers loss in regulation. Unfortunately, the Canes didn't come to play with that in mind on Monday night, controlling most of the game led by goalie Cam Ward and some opportunistic forwards on their way to a 4-2 win.
James van Riemsdyk had a hell of a game for the Flyers scoring the first goal and assisting Matt Read on the second. It was Ward's night though, and aside from a stretch of the second period, the Flyers trudged their way through a game they'll need to forget in a hurry.
Notes and highlights below. If nothing else, worth a look at JVR's sick move on the assist.
Stay in the game with the latest updates on your beloved Philadelphia sports teams! Sign up here for our All Access Daily newsletter.
The Flyers got off to a rough start, conceding the opening goal to a hungry Hurricanes power play unit. Ward was sharp early, setting a tone that it would take some skill to beat him tonight. The Flyers looked to be finishing the second period strong before letting up a late goal, but got rough—a hopeful sign that they weren't going to slink their way through the next 40 minutes.
They came out with a fast start in the second period, with Claude Giroux narrowly missing a goal on a pretty move, catching full iron instead. Not long after, van Riemsdyk dunked one on Ward, banging home a wraparound with some power behind it.
The Canes would extend their lead again though on a nice shot by Chad LaRose, who beat Ilya Bryzgalov with a quick wrister off his opposite foot. On the one hand, you want to see Bryz stop a head-on shot like that. On the other, it was a perfect shot taken in a blink, and LaRose earned every bit of it.
Read brought the Flyers to within one when he buried a great opportunity created by van Riemsdyk on the power play. Riemer beat his man with a sweet move behind his own back as he went behind the net, then threw a blind backhand in front to a salivating Read. The white hot rookie didn't miss, tallying his sixth goal in his last five games.
News
Up Next:
Another team the Flyers usually kick the crap out of—The New York Islanders—will play host on Wednesday. Hopefully the Flyers don't lose their third straight to a benthos-dwelling team.
Photo: Eric Hartline-US PRESSWIRE