Tomorrow will be a travel day for me. I am heading back to Philly from Texas. Hopefully there will be Flyers practices and games to cover again soon. I will try to post a blog in the early morning hours, but it's more likely that my next blog will be tomorrow night after the Phantoms and Titans games.
Here are a few quick-hit updates:
* Flyers defense prospect
Shayne Gostisbehere played sparingly in Team USA's 5-1 semifinal round victory over Team Canada today. More or less, he was the 7th defenseman in this game. He only took one shift in the second period and a couple on the third (one during a four-on-four), and was not used on the power play.
It was nothing punitive against "Ghost" by head coach Phil Housley. First of all, Team USA has a very deep blueline. Secondly, things had been clicking during Gostisbehere's IIHF-mandated five-plus period absence (most of Slovakia game, all of Czech game) that it was going to tough for him to get back into the regular rotation. Last and certainly not least, Team USA collectively played so well against Canada that there was no need to make a change. The Americans spent most of the game playing from ahead, and players like Seth Jones and Jacob Trouba were playing extremely well.
On Saturday, Team USA will take on the winner of the upcoming Russia-Sweden semifinal. One year after shockingly ending up in the relegation round, Team USA is playing for gold.
*
Erik Gustafsson finally returned to practice for the Phantoms yesterday after missing two-plus weeks with a high ankle injury. He may be ready to return to the lineup tomorrow when the Phantoms are on the road from the front end of a home-and-home with the Connecticut Whale. Unfortunately, the news is not as good on
Marc-Andre Bourdon. There has been no change in his status (i.e., concussion-like symptoms) and no timetable for a return.
*
Shane Harper will be switching places with
Marcel Noebels. With the German rookie forward having been called up to the AHL, Harper has been sent down to Trenton. Harper had a strong second half last season for Adirondack, but has struggled to stay in the lineup this season. Harper,
Matt Ford and
Mike Testwuide have all rotated in and out of
Terry Murray's lineup.
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