In a game where youth was served for the Philadelphia Flyers after recalling Alex Bump, Jacob Gaucher, Cole Knuble, and Hunter McDonald, they looked like a completely different team as they took down the Colorado Avalanche to extend their winning streak to 2.
Matvei Michkov kept the hot streak going with 2 goals, Trevor Zegras notched a career-high 3 assists, Noel Acciari scored the game-winner, and Joseph Woll was sensational in goal once again with 25 saves for his first win as a Flyer.
The Avalanche’s star players were kept relatively quiet with Nathan Mackinnon firing one shot goal and posting a -2 rating and Cale Makar had 4 shots with a -2 rating. Martin Nečas and T.J. Hughes found the back of the net, while Mackenzie Blackwood stopped 21 shots in a losing effort.
FIRST PERIOD
The Philadelphia Flyers opened the scoring after another Matvei Michkov power play marker at the 7:41 mark of the period. Trevor Zegras fired a slapshot-pass into traffic that was deflected by Denver Barkey, ricocheted off a defender, and then landed right to Michkov with a yawning cage to shoot at.
The play was reviewed at length because Colorado challenged if Porter Martone interfered with the goaltender but the call stood and the Flyers received another power play.
The Flyers kept up some of their pressure after the power play had expired, but as expected, the Colorado Avalanche pressed with the likes of Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar. Philadelphia was up 13-8 on the shot clock and Joseph Woll was solid to begin this one.
SECOND PERIOD
In a more tentative period, both clubs found it difficult to create chances, as the shots were only 2-2 through the first 12:23, however one of those Flyers shots found a way through Mackenzie Blackwood and it was none other than Michkov at it again.
Michkov’s confidence is as evident as ever and this goal proved just that as he skated circles in the offensive zone before firing a hard shot from the point through traffic that got past the goaltender for his 2nd of the night and 6th on the season. The play started from a MacKinnon turnover in the offensive zone from Noah Cates.
A few seconds after Travis Sanheim’s penalty expired, the Avalanche cut the deficit in half after Martin Nečas wired a perfect shot top corner from the point to beat Woll for his 5th of the season at the 17:52 mark.
The goal had awoken the Avalanche as they came in waves to end the period, which included good chances from Makar and Brock Nelson, but the Flyers were able to enter the intermission with a 2-1 lead and an 18-17 edge in shots.
THIRD PERIOD
With the Avalanche pressing, the Flyers needed some breathing room and it came from first-liner Noel Acciari. The enforcer deflected a slap shot from Oliver Bonk – which was set up by Zegras for his third assist of the night at the 6:34 mark. With the Flyers banged up, Acciari was moved to the top line, and it worked to the tune of his first as a Flyer.
With 5:20 remaining, T.J. Hughes cut the deficit back to 1 after an amazing set up from Fedor Svechkov. Sam Malinksi sent a slap-pass to Svechkov at the front of the net, that he then deflected to Hughes who had a wide open cage to shoot at for his second goal in as many games.
With the net empty, the Avalanche threw the kitchen sink towards Woll, but the former Toronto Maple Leaf kept the door shut, securing his first victory of the season and as a member of the Flyers.
UP NEXT
The Flyers will look to extend their winning streak to 3 games on Wednesday night when they visit the Buffalo Sabres (7:30pm ET, TNT).
FLYERS ALUMNI VEGAS AND IRELAND TRIPS
Flyers Nation and TrueFan Travel have teamed up for two trips with the Flyers Alumni!
The Las Vegas package (March 10–14) includes tickets to Flyers–Golden Knights on March 11 at T-Mobile Arena, an all-inclusive tailgate, optional flights from Philadelphia, a 4-night downtown hotel stay, an alumni pep rally and Q&A, a Flyers vs. Utah watch party, and a meet and greet.
The Ireland Golf & Tour Experience (July 20–27) includes optional flights from Philadelphia, six nights at The Brehon Killarney and Portmarnock Resort, a welcome reception, a meet and greet and Q&A with Brad Marsh, Patrick Sharp, Joe Watson, Bill Clement, Mark Recchi, and John LeClair, a live Coatesy’s Corner, and optional golf at Old Head, Dooks, Portmarnock, and Druids Glen.
Whether you’re chasing a road game in Vegas or a week on the links in Ireland, these are two chances to travel with Flyers legends!
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