Nick Cousins scored a goal and added an assist in the Flyers' 4-3 loss to the Leafs.
The Flyers opened the preseason tonight with many new faces.
In the midst of several unfamiliar names and familiar ones with uncertain
futures, there were very few players wearing orange and black that can
guarantee a future in the NHL by October.
In what would be a 4-3 Flyers loss to the Toronto Maple
Leafs from Budweiser Gardens in London, Ontario, the Flyers saw some positives
and negatives, fitting for the preseason opener.
The Flyers stumbled out of the gate, allowing three quick
goals to the Leafs in the first. Steve Mason started in net for the Flyers and
struggled early.
Nazem Kadri picked up the first goal of the game with some
nifty stick-handling. Moments later, a defensive breakdown led the Leafs second
goal from Troy Bodie.
On the Flyers first power play of the night, Mason Raymond
scored on a short-handed breakaway to make it 3-0 Leafs.
Mason finished solid through his remaining time. He exited
with 12 minutes remaining in the second period for Anthony Stolarz.
The Flyers, meanwhile, chipped away at the lead. A shot by
Nick Grossmann from the point was deflected in by Doug Clarkson.
In the second, the Flyers quickly managed to tie the game
with a pair of goals in short order. First, Brayden Schenn tallied with a nice
top-shelf shot past James Reimer. Moments later, Nick Cousins put back a
rebound off a Hal Gill chance to tie the game.
Before the period ended, the Leafs would retake the lead on
a rebound goal by Paul Ranger.
The Flyers showed strong play from many of their younger
players. There were some trials early, especially on the part of the defense.
But Mason recovered in goal and Stolarz looked sharp as well in net.
Additionally, it was a solid first performance for Cousins, Clarkson and
players like Scott Laughton and Oliver Lauridsen are ones to watch as training
camp and preseason games take place. They are among the rookies with the best
chance to make the Flyers roster.
The Flyers did suffer one casualty as Zac Rinaldo exited the
game in the second with an upper-body injury and did not return.
The Flyers are playing in split-squad action on Monday. Some
of the players will be in Philadelphia to host the Washington Capitals while
the rest face Toronto again from the Air Canada Centre in Toronto. Both games
are scheduled for 7 p.m.
Kevin Durso is a contributor for Flyerdelphia. You can follow him on twitter @KDursoPhilsNet.
