Bump scores in Flyers’ debut during shootout win over Penguins

The game was played in Pittsburgh but the script could have been written in Hollywood.
How else to explain how Flyers rookie Alex Bump, a former fifth-round draft pick, became just the 26th player in franchise history to score in his first NHL game on Saturday night?
And in a crucial game in the Flyers’ season to boot?
The big moment came at 4:46 of the second period and after the 10-foot shot eluded Penguins goaltender Stuart Skinner, there were smiles on both Alex’s face as well as family members at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh.
Sure, it was important the Flyers earned two points in a 4-3 shootout win. Trevor Zegras scored the only goal of the tiebreaker. Goalie Dan Vladar stopped all three shots in the extra session. It was Vladar’s 20th win of the season.
But for all Flyers’ front office personnel in attendance, including GM Daniel Briere, it had to be a great night for multiple reasons. In addition to Bump’s goal, the Flyers also got one from another rookie, Denver Barkey.
The 22-year-old Bump, just called up from Lehigh Valley, made no mistake after taking a feed from linemate Nikita Grebenkin.
With Bobby Brink traded away to Minnesota, Bump, called up from the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, made his NHL debut a memorable one. He started at left wing and wore number 20.
“Had a great first period,” Tippett said in a first intermission interview. “Held onto pucks a lot. Really slowed the game down a little bit (after the Tommy Novak goal for the Pens). Like what I see so far. He’s been great.”
In a second intermission interview, Bump said it was a relief to get the first one out of the way in a hurry.
“It’s been a lot of fun,” Bump said. “Guys have been taking it easy on me. Kind of showing me the ropes. So yeah, it’s been fun.
“I’ve got an unreal (family, friends) support system. Got a lot of family in Cleveland, so a quick drive for them. It (the goal) was kind of a big relief. Glad to get it over with in the first game. Don’t have to worry about it anymore.”
After the game, Bump was still pretty emotional.
“I wasn’t as nervous as I thought I would be,” he said. “I’m still getting used to it but it’s only going to get better.”
Coach Rick Tocchet was happy for the young player.
“He played with a lot of confidence,” Tocchet said. “He played 16 minutes and we had to kill six power plays. Did a nice job. We have to learn to develop these guys in the right way.”
Philadelphia’s Travis Konecny missed his third straight game with an upper-body injury and Nick Seeler missed his second straight with a lower-body injury.
Pittsburgh was without future Hall of Famer Sidney Crosby, injured during the Olympics, and Evgeni Malkin, who has been suspended five games for slashing Buffalo defenseman Rasmus Dahlin.
The Flyers had to come back from one-goal deficits three times.
Bump’s goal tied the game at 2-2. Then, after the Penguin went ahead, Barkey scored at 10:03.
The Flyers fell behind early, surrendering a power-play goal to Novak at the three-minute mark.
But the Flyers came right back 54 seconds later. Tippett converted a pass from Zegras past Skinner for his 20th goal of the season. That’s the fourth straight season Tippett has reached the 20-goal mark.
After the game, several players were enthusiastic about Bump’s performance.
“Fantastic,” said Zegras. “When you get to play with someone in their first game, it’s always special. Not too often do you see them score in their first game. We were all fired up for him. There was amazing energy in the (locker) room.”
Jamie Drysdale was pleased to be an eyewitness to history.
“Awesome,” Drysdale said. “I don’t care who you are or how many games you’ve played, to watch a guy play his first game and score his first game, you just know the emotional rollercoaster going through their heads.”

>Zegras streak continues

Zegras’ hot streak in the shootout continues. In addition to scoring on two-thirds of his attempts this season, he’s an incredible 19 of 30 for his career.
What is the secret?
“I’m not sure,” Zegras said. “Something I’ve practiced a lot my whole NHL career. Had a couple traumatic experiences with it growing up so I made it a point to be good at it in the NHL.”

>Sticking up for York

Drysdale did a good job sticking up for partner Cam York as time was winding down in the first period.
Pittsburgh’s Avery Hayes hit York with a borderline-legal check behind the neck, sending the defenseman crashing to the ice. Drysdale jumped in and dropped Hayes to the ice with a couple hard blows.
It was Drysdale’s first fight in his NHL career.
“A lot of guys have done it for me,” Drysdale said. “So I just figured it was my turn.:

>Glendening’s debut

Center Luke Glendening, 36, picked up off waivers on Friday, made his Flyers debut and wore jersey number 41. In 52 games with the New Jersey Devils, Glendening had no goals/four points.

>Short shots

On Monday, the Flyers play host to the New York Rangers. The two teams most recently met on Feb. 28 in New York, with Matvei Michkov supplying the overtime winner. . .Christian Dvorak entered Saturday’s game with 37 points, one off his career high. . .York picked up an assist on Tippett’s goal, giving him the 100th point of his NHL career. . .Flyers are now 7-3 in shootouts; Pittsburgh 1-9. . ..The Flyers finished with a season-low 15 shots, including just 14 in regulation time. Their previous low was 16.