Quick Hits: September 28, 2023
1) The Flyers (0-2-0 in preseason play) lost a 2-1 decision to the New York Islanders (1-1-0) at UBS Arena in Elmont, NY, on Wednesday evening. Simon Holmström and Julien Gauthier (power play) scored for the Islanders. With 2:22 remaining in the third period and the Flyers attacking 6-on-5 with goalie Samuel Ersson on the bench, Ryan Poehling scored the Flyers' first goal of the preseason. The goal came off a friendly bounce of the puck that went directly to Poehling in point blank range.
Philadelphia dressed a lineup heavy on AHL players and prospects. The most NHL-experienced player on the Flyers' blueline was Victor Mete. Up front, Noah Cates and Scott Laughton (both of whom assisted on the Poehling goal) comprised two-thirds of the top line. The projected fourth-line trio of Nic Deslauriers, Poehling and Garnet Hathaway were the de facto second line for the Flyers.
Among Flyers players who dressed in Monday's 6-0 loss to the Devils, Wade Allison, prospects Emil Andrae and Samu Tuomaala, and goaltender Felix Sandström also saw action on Wednesday. Tuomaala started Wednesday's game on the top line with Cates and Laughton.
Overall, Wednesday's performance by the Flyers was much better than Monday's dead-legged, low energy quagmire in Newark. The Flyers simply couldn't finish but had the better of play for lengthy stretches. Apart from his goal, Poehling had two other scoring chances of note and went 10-for-14 on faceoffs.
For a full recap of Wednesday's game,
click here.
2) Healthy Flyers players who have yet to appear in a preseason game: Owen Tippett, Travis Konecny (practiced in full on Wednesday after being out for two days, declared himself ready to play), Travis Sanheim, Rasmus Ristolainen, and goaltender Carter Hart. One would figure that most or all will be in the lineup on Friday evening when the Flyers take on the Bruins at TD Garden (7:00 p.m. EDT, NHL Network).
3) On Thursday, the Flyers will have a split-group practice at the FTC in Voorhees. There will be an 11 a.m. session on the Flyers' rink, and a noon session on the Phantoms' rink. Tomorrow, the game group is scheduled for a 10 a.m. morning skate on the Flyers' rink before departing for Boston. Two non-game groups will practice on the Phantoms' rink, respectively at 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. EDT.
4) Now back with the OHL's London Knights, Flyers 2023 first-round pick Oliver Bonk and third-round selection Denver Barkey will play in Friday's regular season opener against the Niagara IceDogs. Game time is at 7 p.m. EDT.
5) The Brandon Wheat Kings (3-0-0) will have Flyers blueline prospect Carter Sotheran in the lineup on Friday when they visit the Moose Jaw Warriors. Back on Sept 23, the Wheaties registered a 9-4 blowout win over Moose Jaw.
6) KHL: Matvei Michkov (2g, 3a, 5 points in five game with HC Sochi) and his team have a tough challenge on the road today as they are in Moscow to play CSKA Moscow. Game time is 12:30 p.m. EDT. HC Sochi (7-3-0) overall has won five straight games since Michkov joined the team on loan from SKA St. Petersburg for the rest of the 2023-24 season.CSKA, the two-time defending Gagarin Cup champions, are off to a slow start this season (4-6-1).
Note: Ivan Fedotov (3-4-0, 2.16 GAA, .911 save percentage, one shutout) continues to play for CSKA in direct defiance to a IIHF ruling that his NHL contract with the Flyers is valid for 2023-24. The IIHF has been fining CSKA 5,000 Swiss Francs (roughly $5,450) per game for each game Fedotov dresses as the starter or backup but it has had zero effect.
7) Dinamo Minsk (4-5-1) is idle today on the KHL schedule. Thus far, Flyers prospect Alexei Kolosov has appeared in six games, going 1-4-0 with a 2.64 GAA, .896 save percentage and one shutout (back in his first start of the season).
Philadelphia Flyers Blogger •NHL.com • 
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