How someone so big can be so out of position
Ivan Fedotov has been on the ice for a lot of goals against. Sunday was no different. But it’s amazing how someone so big can be so not set for most of the shots against him. Chicago’s fourth goal of the afternoon showed Fedotov sliding around to get in position but Bertuzzi simply beat Fedotov rather cleanly.
After Sean Couturier took a tripping penalty (and Michkov took a minor on the same play hitting Connor Murphy), Chicago had a full two-minute five-on-three. Fedotov had no chance on his opponent’s fifth goal of the day as Ryan Donato deflected a pass behind him. Fedotov halfway through the game had a save percentage of .688, saving 11 of 16 shots. And yes, here’s the fifth one.
Konecny makes it two in a row, lowers boom
As unlucky as he was prior to yesterday’s game, the good mojo was starting to work for Travis Konecny. Konecny was in front of the net when a Matvei Michkov shot from the point appeared to hit him in the arm. It was an early lead for Philadelphia which was a nice change of pace. However, the goal was later given to Jamie Drysdale as it was determined Konecny didn’t touch the puck.
After a Flyers time out, Konecny struck again with his second of the game, this one a good deflection on a quick shot from Jamie Drysdale that paid off, cutting Chicago’s lead to 5-4.
Perhaps the biggest jolt Konecny made was absolutely blowing up Phillipp Kurashev at center ice with a clean but very hard hit. However, the hit was quickly forgotten about as Chicago put their sixth of the day behind Fedotov. By this time it was clear if Chicago scored 17 goals this afternoon Fedotov would be sweeping the puck out 17 times as he wasn’t being pulled. Unless Tortorella opted to go nuclear and start the third period with no goalie and six skaters.
Michkov bops Foligno, gets pair of helpers
On his opening shift Michkov found himself against the boards and Foligno pushed Michkov up against the boards, holding him up a bit. Michkov replied with a little jab to the chin which Foligno didn’t appreciate. Meanwhile he had two assists on Philadelphia’s opening two goals, giving him an even (and impressive) 50 points for the season. Travis Sanheim’s goal (which Michkov got a secondary assist on) wasn’t pretty but they all count.
A comparison between Bedard’s rookie season and Michkov’s rookie season during the Chicago broadcast showed Bedard with 61 points but also averaging over 19 minutes of ice time, roughly three more minutes per game versus Michkov’s playing time. Bedard wasn’t held scoreless as Bedard tied the game at three with a great wrist shot.
Lot of goals, a lot more goals against. In the end the Flyers were throttled in a 7-4 loss Sunday afternoon against the lowly Chicago Blackhawks.
The basics
First period: 3:59- Jamie Drysdale (Matvei Michkov, Nick Seeler), 7:14- Pat Maroon (Nick Foligno, Ilya Mikheyev), 8:01- Joe Veleno (Tyler Bertuzzi, Phillipp Kurashev), 8:13- Travis Sanheim (Travis Konecny, Matvei Michkov), 11:59- Bobby Brink (Noah Cates, Tyson Foerster), 18:12- Connor Bedard (Ryan Donato)
Second period: 2:37- Tyler Bertuzzi (Phillipp Kurashev, Joe Veleno), 6:43- Ryan Donato (Teuvo Teravainen, Connor Bedard) (PPG), 10:14- Travis Konecny (Jamie Drysdale, Sean Couturier), 13:27- Ryan Donato (Teuvo Teravainen, Tyler Bertuzzi) (PPG)
Third period: 2:13- Lukas Reichel (Pat Maroon, Alex Vlasic)
SOG: 28 (PHI) – 28 (CHI)
Some takeaways
Brink ties career high
Bobby Brink matched his career high in goals on this day, giving the Flyers a 3-2 lead before the game was 12 minutes old. The line of Noah Cates, Brink, and Tyson Foerster has been one of the more consistent, steadying trios the Flyers have had all season. And they didn’t disappoint.
Four officials for almost entire game
One of the officials that started the game wasn’t on the ice when the second period began. Linesman Kiel Murchison, who apparently left a game earlier in the week, collided with Owen Tippett and fell to the ice. The absence was only momentarily as he was back out a few shifts into the middle frame.
Chicago Bears? Nope, the ‘hawks
The child announcing the goals scored for Chicago had a busy afternoon. I also once loved The Fratellis, but no more after seven “Chelsea Dagger” plays. A touchdown’s worth of goals for a team that has been horrible all year wasn’t a pretty look for Philadelphia. The seventh bounced off Emil Andrae and in, making the third interesting only to see if Michkov could add to his stats. Oh, here’s the seventh….
The four goals scored for Philadelphia was the 23rd time they’ve done that in 71 games. They have 11 regulation wins, two shootout wins, and two overtime wins. On the flipside they have six regulation losses, a shootout loss, and an overtime loss.
Two too early
The Flyers had a 1-0 lead but that quickly evaporated as Chicago struck for two in quick succession midway into the first. Pat Maroon took advantage of a horrible attempt to clear the puck, burying a pass from Nick Foligno to tie things up at one. Fedotov (getting his second start in a row), didn’t have much of a chance on the first one.
A mere 47 seconds later Chicago took the lead when Joe Veleno scored his first NHL goal, beating Fedotov.
Mar 23, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Philadelphia Flyers right wing Matvei Michkov (39) celebrates after his goal against the Chicago Blackhawks during the first period at United Center. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images
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