VOORHEES, N.J. – The night the Flyers clinched a playoff spot came in a game against a team from Carolina called the Hurricanes.
The coach of that team, Rod Brind’Amour, chose to rest about a half-dozen of his regulars because there was really nothing to play for. The top seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs had already been secured.
Even so, the ‘Canes put up a fight and the Flyers needed every bit of energy to win the game in overtime.
From a Flyers’ perspective, particularly that of the young players, it was a productive experience. It was the perfect chance for rookie forwards such as Denver Barkey and Porter Martone to see what Brind’Amour’s crew was all about.
When Saturday night’s Game 1 of their upcoming best-of-seven playoff series gets underway at the Lenovo Center in Raleigh, N.C., it should be more of the same. Only more intense.
After Friday’s practice at the Flyers Training Center, Flyers coach Rick Tocchet agreed that the opportunity to see and play against the Hurricanes was certainly better than just watching video.
And don’t think for a moment a Brind’Amour team was just going to mail that April 13 game in.
“It just goes by the organizational thing with Roddy.,” Tocchet said. “Doesn’t matter whatever piece comes in, they play that same way. Which is a credit to them. I don’t know their minor league (replacement) system, I assume they play the same way.”
These two coaches played together briefly on the Flyers and maintain a healthy rivalry. It will be interesting to see how they match wits.
By the way, this is the first time these two organizations have met in the playoffs, so there’s a bit of a curiosity factor as well.
“They showed their cards (on April 13),” Tocchet said. “This ‘is the way we’re going to play.’ Like in a poker game, they show ‘we’re going to play this hand. Whatever you want to play, I don’t care.’ That’s the way they play. So we have to have a mindset of going against that kind of mindset.”
Barkey knows the “new” Flyers have to avoid making mistakes against a team which lives that by cashing in on turnovers.
“Always nice to play a team and get familiar with them, with their playing style,” Barkey said. “You get to know a little more what to expect. They had some of their top guys scratched but just seeing the style they play helps a lot.”
Martone only has about a month of NHL action under his belt so getting to see Carolina for the first time should prove helpful.
“We know they’re a fast, physical team,” Martone said. “They play the right way. I really don’t think it matters who is in their lineup. I think they really bought into what their coach said.”
Martone got off to a hot start in the first couple games during the Pittsburgh series. His production has dropped off a bit since then so he’s looking for a reset as the Carolina series gets underway.
“We’ve expecting a tough series,” he said. “I think we have a group here that can be successful if we play our brand of hockey.”
Martone was taking mental notes of the style of hockey Carolina likes to play.
“Their ‘D’ are very active,” he said. “They like to forecheck hard. They’ve got a ton of skill, too. Credit to them, they’ve got a really good team but I believe in our group, too.”
The six-game series with the Penguins was a bit of an eye-opener for Martone. Don’t forget, he was playing college hockey at Michigan State a month ago. He’s anxious to get going against Carolina.
“I’m really excited,” he said. “It’s special. Honestly, it’s hard to put into words. You can’t pay for the experience all of us are getting. Playing in the playoffs is the time of the year for me.”
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