19-year-old Konecny Sparks Flyers Comeback

(Kate Frese/Sports Talk Philly)

By Kevin Durso, Sports Talk Philly editor 

The youngest Flyer was the catalyst. When the Flyers needed a goal on their first power play chance since the first period, it was a 19-year-old that provided a spark.

Travis Konecny's first NHL goal sparked a roaring comeback for the Flyers, who used three power-play goals in the third to rally back against the Sabres before taking the win in a shootout.

Konecny has been contributing on the scoresheet all season, but it's safe to say that the young Flyer's energy and competitive nature is providing a lift to his teammates as well.

"It definitely gave us a little boost," Konecny said. "It’s always nice to get that first one on the board as a team. I was definitely excited myself for getting it, but the guys got going, got on a roll and we see the outcome when we get going with that. That is what is exciting about hockey."

"It was a pretty big hole to get out of. Getting that one provided a spark for our bench and for sure in our building," head coach Dave Hakstol said. "It was a good time to get it tonight."

Konecny now has six points in seven games, complete with his first goal coming on Tuesday night. He's also had two near misses on points as well. For a few short minutes, Konecny was credited with the Flyers only goal in Montreal on Monday night, that was later proven to be Jake Voracek's. On Saturday night, Konecny was also credited with a second assist on Matt Read's go-ahead goal in the second period before that was changed to go to Sean Couturier.

Still, Konecny has been heavily involved in every game this season. This is what a 19-year-old can bring to the lineup, a youthful energy that doesn't fall silent on the veterans.

"He has been an impact player," Hakstol said. "Apart from the obvious things you see on the ice, I see a guy that is working hard on his game. He does that every day. He has got a good level of humility to him which I think endears him to the older guys in the room. He keeps his mouth shut and works and that’s a positive."

"He has been buzzing all season long and he has a lot of character and he competes every game," Claude Giroux said. "It obviously gives you a little boost."

"Took one to spark us and I think it was even a little bit more excitement that it was TK getting his first," Brayden Schenn said. "He had a great game tonight. He’s playing well for us and it was nice to see him get rewarded."

The Flyers last rallied back from a 3-0 deficit to win last December against St. Louis. It was just a week ago that the Flyers rallied from a 4-0 deficit in Chicago.

While they went on to lose that game, there is a competitive spirit in this team that was lost in recent years. Perhaps a lot of that has to do with new faces and budding hope for the young prospects that have made the jump to the NHL.

The Flyers are in the midst of a tough stretch of five games in seven days, part of an eight-game in 13-day stretch, sort of new territory for Konecny and Ivan Provorov, the Flyers two additions from juniors. Both have handled the workload well — Provorov played a game-high 24:12 and assisted on Konecny's first goal — but the challenge is still to come with three more games to come this week.

But for tonight, Konecny picked up the first of what is sure to be many goals. Alone, it wasn't going to be enough to erase a 3-0 deficit. But the Flyers eventually did and the rally sparked by a 19-year-old's first goal provided an even better memory for the rookie.

“I am just excited that it happened," Konecny said, "but the thing for me that was more exciting was coming back after that 3-0 game and an overall exciting night for us."