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Flyers start season 0-3
By Jonathan Atwood on October 15th, 2008 6:44 PM |
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After completing one of the most dramatic turn arounds in sports history by making it to the Eastern Conference Finals one year after their worst season in franchise history, the Philadelphia Flyers have started out this season 0-3.
The season opened Saturday against the New York Rangers. It was a tale of two games. The Flyers gave up four goals on the first 14 shots, all in the first period. They then hunkered down and did not allow a single goal the rest of the game. Unfortunately, the offense was only able to muster three goals.
There were a couple bright spots, however. Simon Gagne, returning after missing most of last season with 
a series of concussion, scored his first goal is almost a year. Mike Richards, newly appointed Captain, also scored. It was great to see both of these guys start off on a good note, albeit entirely individual. Backup goaltender Antero Niittymaki had a strong game relieving Martin Biron, stopping all 13 shots that he faced.
The Flyers tried to even up their record Monday at home against the Montreal Canadiens. Despite leading after two periods, the Flyers fell victim to two late Canadiens’ goals just 44 seconds apart as they fell to 0-2 on the season. Jeff Carter scored his first goal of the season, and both Gagne and Richards scored power play goals, but again the Flyers defense could not hold off their opponent. Biron stopped just 22 of the 26 shots he faced against a team he dominated in last year’s playoffs. His early struggles are a big reason for why the Flyers are as yet winless.
They were able to score a point in the standings, however, on Tuesday in Pittsburgh against the Penguins, the team in which they lost to during the conference finals last year. Both teams scored two goals in the second period and that’s how it would stand for regulation. Then Pascal Dupuis wripped a slap shot past Niittymaki with 4:49 left in OT.
Despite the bad start, the Flyers have shown some very positive signs. If the defense can gel and Biron can get his act together, this team should get back on track right away.
