Make that three-for-three in the revenge department. Credit goaltender Carter Hart for making the difference.
After avenging earlier losses to Anaheim and Los Angeles with wins over the past weekend, the Flyers did it again on Wednesday night at PNC Arena in Raleigh, N.C.
They raced out to a 3-0 lead and Hart, just back from a lengthy injury absence, did the rest as the Flyers won, 3-1, and moved a game above .500 at 8-7-1. Carolina had won earlier in the season at Philadelphia.
The win broke the Flyers’ eight-game losing streak to the Hurricanes.
Ryan Poehling made it 3-0 just 29 seconds into the second period when he connected from right in front of goaltender Pyotr Kochetkov. Sean Walker picked up the primary assist with a nice rush through the right circle.
Another strong first period gave the Flyers a 2-0 lead at the break.
Owen Tippett kicked things off with his fourth goal in the last three games. Tippett scored just 1:50 into the opening frame on another break-in.
Travis Konecny’s tip-in of Nick Seeler’s shot found the back of the net with 57 seconds left in the period. It was Konecny’s 10th goal in the Flyers’ first 16 games.
The Flyers looked like the team which won its last two games on the road in California.
Coach John Tortorella wants his team to be aggressive but not to the point of being careless. He prefers his team to be patient and act when the opportunity presents itself.
“We can’t get sloppy as pushing the pace too much,” he said at the morning skate. “It’s momentum of games, understanding situational play in the games. When things are going good, not to get too high with it. When you’re struggling, just stay within ourselves. I think that’s a huge part of winning in this league.”
The Flyers got off to quick starts in Anaheim and Los Angeles and, at the morning skate, Joel Farabee said that was the plan for this game. He was quite the prophet.
The Flyers are now 8-1 when scoring first.
“I think our starts got a lot better (in California),” Farabee said. “When you get the lead to start, it definitely helps. When you’re playing good teams, getting the (early) lead is really important.”
>Praising Belpedio
Career minor-league defenseman Louie Belpedio continues to impress with his strong two-way play. His performances haven’t necessarily taken Tortorella by surprise but the coach is hoping they continue.
“He’s kind of a career American Leaguer,” Tortorella said. “The thing that draws you to Louie is he’s just a great competitor. He’s made some really good plays. He’s had some dips along the way but seems to find himself and get his game back. He’s scored a couple goals, he’s not afraid (to attack). He’s not overwhelmed by playing in the National Hockey League right now.”
>Short shots
Bobby Brink was scratched for a second straight game. “I want to get him back in,” Tortorella said. “I’m not sure where or when.”. . .Egor Zamula returned to the lineup after he sat out last Saturday’s game in Los Angeles. . .The Flyers return to action on Saturday when they play Vegas at home in a 1 p.m. start, followed by a 5:30 p.m. game on Sunday vs. Columbus, again at the Wells Fargo Center. . .The Flyers’ power play went 0-for-1 and is now scoreless in its last 26 attempts. . .Konecny is the only player in the NHL with at least two goals even strength, two on the power play and two shorthanded.
