Slow Start Dooms Flyers in Loss to Flames

By Kevin Durso, Sports Talk Philly editor 

The Flyers got off to a bit of a slow start in Vancouver, but never fell behind by more than a goal in the game and had the entire third period to try to find the tying goal. In Tuesday's game in Calgary, it was the first time in the new season that a slow start got in the way and the Flyers were left chasing the game all night.

The Flames set the tone early with a goal just 1:35 into the game, and the Flyers struggled to generate chances, behind held to their lowest production and shot total of the season in a 3-1 loss to the Flames.

The Flames wasted no time getting on the board. Just 1:35 into the game, Justin Braun turned the puck over at the Flyers blue line and Michael Frolik took control and scored to make it 1-0 Calgary early.

Both teams had multiple power play chances in the first period and the Flyers struggled to get into a rhythm, icing the puck multiple times.

With 10 seconds left in the period, off an icing, the Flames scored on the ensuing face-off with Sean Monahan putting the puck behind Brian Elliott. But after video review, the goal was waved off for a kicking motion.

Shots through 20 minutes were 13-10 Flames.

The Flames continued to hold the Flyers at bay, with a 13-6 shots advantage in the middle 20 minutes. They also got the only goal of the period, finally making the Flyers pay for an icing call.

Off a face-off, Mark Giordano set up Andrew Mangiapane in the high slot for a one-timer and the shot hit off Travis Sanheim and went in to make it 2-0.

The Flyers started to apply some pressure early in the third, and on a delayed penalty call got on the board. Travis Konecny set up Matt Niskanen in the slot and he beat David Rittich for his first goal as a Flyer to cut the lead to one just 4:58 into the period.

From there, the Flyers struggled to get consistent offensive zone time and the Flames locked down defensively. The Flyers were held to just six shots in the third period.

With 11 seconds remaining, the Flyers had enough time to try to frantically exit the zone and get one more chance to tie the game. Konecny's rushed outlet pass was intercepted by Elias Lindholm and deposited into the empty net to ice the game.

Elliott was solid in his season debut, making 35 saves on 37 shots in the defeat. Rittich made 21 saves on 22 shots in the win.

It is a quick turnaround for the Flyers, who get right back on the ice on Wednesday night to face the Edmonton Oilers. Game time is 9:30 p.m.

Box Score

Scoring Summary

1st Period

• CGY Michael Frolik (1) (Unassisted) 1:35

2nd Period

• CGY Andrew Mangiapane (1) (Mark Giordano, Derek Ryan) 14:15

3rd Period

• PHI Matt Niskanen (1) (Travis Konecny, Sean Couturier) 4:58
• CGY Elias Lindholm (4) EN (Unassisted) 19:49

Game Statistics