Hathaway's hit, Ersson's resilience key Flyers' comeback win vs. Panthers
The Flyers dug themselves a 2-0 hole with an ugly first period. But there's fight in these Flyers and they came back for an NHL-best eighth time in the third to beat the defending champion Florida Panthers, 4-3. "Give them credit, they found a way to get involved," coach John Tortorella said.
The Flyers dug themselves a 2-0 hole with an ugly first period. But there's fight in these Flyers and they came back for an NHL-best eighth time in the third to beat the defending champion Florida Panthers, 4-3. "Give them credit, they found a way to get involved," coach John Tortorella said.
1. Garnet Hathaway's hit
On the opening shift of the second period, 7 seconds in, Hathaway trucked Florida's Niko Mikkola in the offensive zone. After a lackluster opening 20 minutes, it quickly set the tone that this wasn't going to be a cakewalk for the Panthers.
1. Garnet Hathaway's hit
On the opening shift of the second period, 7 seconds in, Hathaway trucked Florida's Niko Mikkola in the offensive zone. After a lackluster opening 20 minutes, it quickly set the tone that this wasn't going to be a cakewalk for the Panthers.
Did it give the Flyers a jolt? "For sure," Noah Cates said. The hit was one of five Hathaway had on the night — plus a goal. “To be able to come out after a period that we had in the first and try and shift it, try and just get a little energy going, it was something I think we all took advantage of," Hathaway said.
Did it give the Flyers a jolt? "For sure," Noah Cates said. The hit was one of five Hathaway had on the night — plus a goal. “To be able to come out after a period that we had in the first and try and shift it, try and just get a little energy going, it was something I think we all took advantage of," Hathaway said.
2. Sam Ersson's three straight saves in the final minutes
Allowing goals on the Panthers' second and third shots was a tough start. But the Flyers goalie clamped down, allowing just a power-play goal over the next 40. Ersson is now 2-1 with a .910 save percentage since returning from injury.
2. Sam Ersson's three straight saves in the final minutes
Allowing goals on the Panthers' second and third shots was a tough start. But the Flyers goalie clamped down, allowing just a power-play goal over the next 40. Ersson is now 2-1 with a .910 save percentage since returning from injury.
In the third, Ersson showed everybody — including Sweden's 4 Nations staff — why he's the Flyers' No. 1. In 4 seconds, he made three saves, including a diving stop on Anton Lundell. "Enough is enough with goaltending. ... We need to be better, and I hope Erss is trying to make a statement there," Tortorella said.
In the third, Ersson showed everybody — including Sweden's 4 Nations staff — why he's the Flyers' No. 1. In 4 seconds, he made three saves, including a diving stop on Anton Lundell. "Enough is enough with goaltending. ... We need to be better, and I hope Erss is trying to make a statement there," Tortorella said.
3. The power play is powered up
It had been almost three months since the Flyers had two power-play goals in a game. Now they've done it in two straight games. More importantly, they got them Monday when they needed tallies when trailing in the third period.
3. The power play is powered up
It had been almost three months since the Flyers had two power-play goals in a game. Now they've done it in two straight games. More importantly, they got them Monday when they needed tallies when trailing in the third period.
Each power-play unit scored, with Cates tying the game at 2 and Morgan Frost jamming a loose puck in to make it 3-3. Both goals came around the blue paint after some nice puck movement in the zone. "Just keeping it simple and getting it to the net is going to help us," Tortorella said.
Each power-play unit scored, with Cates tying the game at 2 and Morgan Frost jamming a loose puck in to make it 3-3. Both goals came around the blue paint after some nice puck movement in the zone. "Just keeping it simple and getting it to the net is going to help us," Tortorella said.
4. Cates' confidence is skyrocketing
Speaking of Cates, who was a healthy scratch at the start of the year, he has become the Flyers' most reliable 200-foot center. He has become Tort's go-to guy for defense and offense — as noted by his play to get and score the game-winner.
4. Cates' confidence is skyrocketing
Speaking of Cates, who was a healthy scratch at the start of the year, he has become the Flyers' most reliable 200-foot center. He has become Tort's go-to guy for defense and offense — as noted by his play to get and score the game-winner.
"I was just trying to backcheck and they had a weird change and I got a rush. ... Luckily it was just a nice move," Cates said modestly. Added Tortorella: "A year ago, he's going to his backhand and throwing it into the pad, right? And that's the level of confidence the kid's playing with. I just hope he keeps on going."
"I was just trying to backcheck and they had a weird change and I got a rush. ... Luckily it was just a nice move," Cates said modestly. Added Tortorella: "A year ago, he's going to his backhand and throwing it into the pad, right? And that's the level of confidence the kid's playing with. I just hope he keeps on going."