PHILADELPHIA – For now, every time Matvei Michkov scores a goal, even in a preseason game, it’s still a pretty big deal for Flyers fans.
So a somewhat pumped-up Wells Fargo Center crowd jumped to its feet on Saturday night when the young Russian scored for a second straight game.
Actually, make that twice, including the game-winner at 3:52 of overtime.
Whether this scoring prowess will continue when the real stuff begins on Oct. 11 is anybody’s guess.
But for the moment, it’s just a lot of fun.
Michkov’s second goal helped the Flyers take a 3-2 win over the Boston Bruins, raising their exhibition record to 3-1.
In post-game comments, associate coach Brad Shaw made it clear Michkov’s excellence has a lot to do with his hockey instincts.
“He’s shown that maybe he’s a faster learner than some other guys,” Shaw said. “I still think there’s going to be growing pains. I think his game has grown leaps and bounds just in these first few exhibition games.
“And he’s inserting how he wants to play into the NHL style of hockey. For a lot of guys, that takes a while. The good news on him so far is that it looks like a pretty steep learning curve right now. You hope it stays at that pace and he keeps growing by leaps and bounds. There’s sure a bright future at this point.”
The Flyers did not make Michkov available for comment.
Michkov’s first goal came in the second period.
Taking a pass from Olle Lycksell, Michkov poked in a short shot past Boston goaltender Joonas Korpisalo at 4:14 to pull the Flyers even at 2-2.
In overtime, Michkov got free and beat Korpisalo from short range for the deciding goal.
Lycksell had two assists in this game and continues to keep his name in contention for a roster spot.
“Of course, you always try to be at your best (in training camp),” he said. “Especially for me, being kind of up and down last year. I try to make every game as best as I can. It’s really important.
“I know it’s a big year coming up for me.”
Flyers goalie Ivan Fedotov had his hands full in a busy first period but still managed to hold the Bruins to a solitary goal as the teams finished in a 1-1 tie.
Boston struck first with a goal from Vinni Lettieri at 12:59. He tipped in a long shot from Hampus Lindholm.
The Flyers came back on a goal from defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen. His shot from the right faceoff dot made it through a screen.
“Well, definitely could have had a better start,” said Sean Couturier. “Maybe be a little quicker on loose pucks and a little better in our own end, coverage-wise, but I think as the period got going, we got better. We got more puck possession and started making plays.”
Before Michkov’s first goal, the Bruins took a 2-1 lead on a breakaway goal by Boston’s Matt Poitras at 2:40 of the middle frame.
Fedotov played his first complete preseason game and came away from it feeling pretty good about his effort.
“I felt good,” he said. “More control, more detail. Everything improved.”
The goaltender spent the summer in the Philadelphia area and at the Flyers’ training facilities. There was work to be done and he was willing to do it.
What did he work on?
“Special angles,” he said, then added, “pretty much everything. It’s getting better. When you play a lot (here), you can feel more comfortable. You can improve your skill. If you play a lot, it’s not a big problem for me.”
>Short shots
Michkov played on a line with Couturier and Travis Konecny. Michkov had been playing on a line with Morgan Frost and Owen Tippett but those players were not dressed for this game. . .The Flyers resume action on Monday when they visit the New York Islanders. . .Couturier squared off with Boston’s Billy Sweezey in a first-period tussle and got the best of that confrontation. The Flyers captain was trying to protect Michkov. “I just thought the guy was trying to take advantage of him and I just wanted to make sure we don’t get pushed around,” Couturier said. “Gotta be smart also. You don’t want to break your hand or pop a shoulder. We just want to make sure we’re there for each other. That’s the important thing.”
Couturier was asked about the demands of this training camp. “We’re definitely pushing each other hard,” Couturier said. “It’s a lot of skating. A lot of conditioning but I think in the long run it will help us, but the important thing is we’re coming out. We’re fighting for each other. We’re battling hard and that’s what we want.”
