NEW YORK – In the final game before the Flyers make significant cuts to their roster, both Oskar Lindblom and Mikhail Vorobyev hit their marks on cue.
Lindblom scored a pair of goals and added an assist and Vorobyev added one goal of his own in Wednesday night’s 6-4 preseason win over the Rangers at Madison Square Garden.
General manager Ron Hextall is expected to reduce his roster from the current 52 by about half on Thursday.
So far in this preseason, Vorobyev has been the surprise performer, looking right at home playing alongside stars like Claude Giroux.
“It (training camp) has been good, I was trying to work everyday,’’ Vorobyev said through a translator. “My summer was very productive. I think the coaches working with me during the summer did a good job.’’
Playing for the Phantoms last season on a North American rink (European rinks are bigger) for the first time, Vorobyev had to make some adjustments.
“I’m trying to play a two-way game,’’ he said. “I feel more confident now playing on an NHL-size rink. I think that helps me a little bit.’’
Vorobyev said he’s not too worried about cutdown day.
“I’m trying not to think about it,’’ he said with a smile. “I have nothing to do with it. I just go out and play. And then the coaches will decide our fate. I’m just trying not to overthink it.’’
Lindblom had 23 games of NHL experience last season so he’s in a slightly different situation. Nonetheless, there will be some nerves until the cuts are made official.
“It was good for the confidence,’’ he said. “Two goals and an assist (and a plus-3) doesn’t hurt.’’
Lindblom also played a role in limiting the Rangers to two goals on nine power plays.
Twarynski finding the range
Every training camp seems to have one: A guy that no one figured would make much noise and then all of a sudden fireworks are going off.
In this case, that gentleman might be Carsen Twarynski, a left wing who scored a goal in Tuesday night’s 5-1 Flyers’ win over the New York Islanders at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center.
Goal scoring, however, is just part of the show.
He’s a versatile player you can put in all situations. The bonus is he can find the net from just about any angle. He led his junior Kelowna Rockets with 45 goals last season, which caught the eye of Flyers general manager Ron Hextall.
Maybe Twarynski doesn’t have a shot at the Flyers for the start of the season but he’s leaving a nice calling card for a promotion from the Phantoms if the injuries start to pile up in the dog days of winter.
“I was trying to keep it simple and play my game,’’ Twarynski said of his performance. “You don’t know how many opportunities you’re going to get in the exhibition and camp. So, play my physical game, play simple, keep calm. They rewarded me and I thought I had a strong game.’’
Twarynski served notice at the end of rookie camp last week that he means business. He had a strong effort in the rookie game against the Islander prospects.
“This is my third camp so the comfort level is there,’’ he said. “Especially after my good last year in junior. I’m a hard power forward with a good offensive upside. Two-way guy. I’m set on trying to leave an impression, there’s spots to earn. That’s what I’m trying to do here.’’
What about a call-back at some point this season?
“I think I’ve done well for myself so far,’’ said the 6-2, 198-pound native of Calgary. “But you can never do enough. There’s no bar you can reach and just stop.’’
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