On Monday evening, tension surged through Xfinity Mobile Arena. The Flyers were tied 2-2 with the Carolina Hurricanes heading into a shootout, knowing that a victory would secure the team’s first playoff berth in six seasons. But even three full periods, an overtime period, and three shootout rounds were not enough. Entering the fourth, Tyson Foerster beat opposing goaltender Brandon Bussi to give the Flyers the lead. Then, as it was for much of the season, it was up to Dan Vladar to stand tall.
And so he did. And then the entire building breathed a collective sigh of relief and erupted in raucous celebration. For the first time in over half a decade, the Philadelphia Flyers would taste playoff hockey.
But it’s been even longer than that since games were held in South Philly – their last playoff run was not played in front of fans due to COVID-19 restrictions. The last time games had been here, it was still called the Wells Fargo Center, and it was all the way back in 2018. The Flyers have endured much change in those 8 years. Only three players remain from their most recent playoff run. They were stuck in limbo for a long time – not good enough to make the playoffs, not bad enough to get a top draft pick. They were retooling and rebuilding for so long that it didn’t seem like the end of the tunnel would ever be found.
But finally, at long last, it looks like it has.
The team’s playoff push has been remarkable. Just a month ago, the Flyers were ten points out of a playoff spot. Their run to the postseason erased the largest deficit ever at this point in the season. But one of the largest drivers of this turnaround has been their young players, and that’s what makes this feel even more special. Trevor Zegras and Matvei Michkov are finally playing their natural positions of center and right wing, respectively, and thriving. Jamie Drysdale took considerable steps forward in his development this year and was the team’s best defenseman. Though Foerster was expected to miss the rest of the season, he returned early for the team’s quest to the postseason, and he made his mark almost immediately by scoring the opening goal against the Red Wings in his first game back. Youngsters Denver Barkey and Alex Bump were recalled from Lehigh Valley during the season and have not looked out of place at all. And finally, Porter Martone, the sixth overall pick from last year’s draft, signed with the Flyers following the end of his season at Michigan State and has been exactly the type of shoot-first power forward this team has been desperately missing.
It is very fitting that the team’s motto for the year was “Brick by Brick”, a mantra that shows they are focused on building the foundation of this team now and in the future. Well, this season has showed that bricks have been laid into place – now it’s time for General Manager Daniel Briere to make moves to push the team even farther.
By: Katie Bogan (@cl4audegiroux)
brotherlypuck.com 