Flyers’ Impressive 5-2 Win Over Sabres
Coming off a 5-3 loss against the Golden Knights to start off the Flyers’ 7 game home stand; the orange and black looked to take care of business tonight against Buffalo. The Flyers warmed up with green sweaters in an atmosphere that was different last March 17th with Claude Giroux playing his final game as a Philadelphia Flyer.
The Sabres are a team that have shocked many with their unexpected climb in the Atlantic Division. The Sabres are only 6 points out of playoff action trailing behind the Capitals and Panthers. This will be an ultimate test to see how the Flyers play against a team who desperately needs to win.
The 1st period was all Carter Hart as he proved his dominance in net with the lack of support from the defense. With nearly under five minutes remaining; Owen Tippett was able to put the Flyers on the board first giving them a 1-0 lead heading into 2nd period. The one takeaway besides Hart’s goaltending was the Flyers’ ability to kill Buffalo’s power play which the Flyers have been struggling with all season. This is the most dominate the offense has been in a while with having majority of puck possession and control.
Shockingly, the 2nd period started off good for the Flyers. Joel Farabee was able to get the Flyers another goal giving them a 2-0 lead. This was also a big moment for Tyson Foerster as he picked up his first NHL point. The Flyers’ momentum carried on as Tippett got his second goal of the night and 20th of the season.
The Flyers fans are on their feet after Owen Tippett got his second goal of the night. 3-0 PHI pic.twitter.com/nn2MFM0TwK
— Haley Taylor Simon (@Haleytsimon) March 18, 2023
The Flyers fans have been energized throughout the entirety of the game watching the orange and black finally take control of their home ice. That only solicited the previous statement as James Van Riemsdyke’s goal got the fans to cheer the loudest they’ve ever been this season. The Flyers’ lead advanced 4-0. Shortly after the late 2nd period goal a fight broke out between a frustrated Buffalo team and Philadelphia.
Entering then final frame majority of the Flyers fans in tonights attendance were still in their seats. This hasn’t been then case all season, which proves the Flyers fanbase will be there if the product on ice is worth watching. The potential of the game being a shutout came to an end early in the first as Victor Olofsson gets the puck in the Flyers’ net while on the power play. The Flyers still lead the Sabres 4-1. The real star of the Season has been Owen Tippett as he got the Flyers’ third hat trick of the season.
A hatty for our red head on St. Paddy's. ☘️#BUFvsPHI | @ConstellationEG pic.twitter.com/8qwc0QqxBv
— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) March 18, 2023
The Flyers were not only leading the Sabres 5-1, but are finally playing with grit and resilience on ice. With over 10 minutes remaining in the 3rd the Flyers just had to finish the game. Buffalo was able to get one more. Final: 5-2.
After the game talking to Tyson Foerster he told me about the meaning of tonights win after he got his first NHL point. ” It was great to get a win. They haven’t won with me here so it was a great feeling tonight.” With Foerster developing with the Flyers’ AHL team, The Phantoms, and being recently called up there has been such bursts of energy on ice that translates into his style of play to help produce a Flyers win.
Congrats on the first-career 🍎, @tfoerster8!#BUFvsPHI | #FueledByPhilly pic.twitter.com/6XXNKSMitq
— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) March 18, 2023
While waiting to enter the locker room there was a lot of commotion and celebrating for not only Owen Tippett’s hat trick, but a great team win. Joel Farabee walked me through the huge Flyers victory, “I think anytime you can win you’re going to be pretty happy with that. Buffalo is a pretty good team this year they’ve been playing really well, so to beat a team like that is great.”
Finally, when it comes to the way the Flyers played tonight it was noted that they came out onto the ice with an intense amount of energy. When bringing this up to Tortorella he said, “I thought tonights game and what we told them was they’re the highest scoring team in the league, and is also a team that gives up a lot of goals. I felt the neutral zone was really important how we handle the puck when we had it and what we did when they had it and made sure were not giving up on odd man rushes.”
This was a huge win for the Flyers as they set to face the Hurricanes tomorrow for a 5pm puck drop.
