Here’s some playoff news and notes while you’re getting ready for the Flyers and Rangers to face off for game 4 at the Wells Fargo Center.
Black Aces
The Flyers named their Black Aces for the 2014 playoff run. In case you’re not familiar with the term, the Black Aces are the minor league players that the team calls up as reserves once the AHL season is done. For some background on the term “Black Aces”, check out this post from Bill Meltzer. This year’s Black Aces are:
Forwards
Brandon Alderson
Nick Cousins
Ben Holmstrom
Petr Straka
Defensemen
Mark Alt
Oliver Lauridsen
Brandon Manning
Goalie
Yann Danis
You can read a bit more about these players on Diana Nearhos’ Phantoms blog.
Scott Laughton
Forward Scott Laughton has also been recalled, since the Oshawa Generals were eliminated from the OHL playoffs. Laughton has a shot at getting in the lineup at some point, especially if the coaching staff is looking to add some offense over the likes of Zac Rinaldo.
The main concern with Laughton is burning up time that could be used against his NHL entry-level contract. He can play nine games before that is even a factor, however. He will not be in the lineup for Game 4 against the Rangers, per Frank Seravalli of the Philadelphia Daily News..
Mason to start game 4
Steve Mason appears to have recovered enough from his “upper body injury” that he will be able to start in Game 4 for the Flyers. Ray Emery started the first three games, and was pulled from Game 3 after allowing 4 goals on 20 shots.
The Flyers hope that the more mobile Mason can give them a boost in net, although it could be argued that many of the goals allowed have not been Emery’s fault, but rather on the defensive coverage. Regardless, Mason is the starter, and his health was the main thing holding him out. Mason finished the regular season with a record of 33-18-7, a GAA of 2.50 and a .917 save percentage.
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