IIHF WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS: FOUR FLYERS REMAIN
The medal-round semifinals of the 2015 IIHF World Championships in the Czech Republic will pit Team Canada against the host team in one matchup and a rematch between Team USA and Russia in the other game. Both games will take place on Saturday after an off-day on Friday.
In single-elimination semifinal action on Thursday, Canada decimated Belarus by a 9-0 score. Flyers representatives Claude Giroux (six shots on goal, plus-two, 15:20 ice time) and Sean Couturier (three shots on goal, plus-two, 14:27 of ice time) each chipped in one assist apiece. Brayden Schenn was a healthy scratch for the sixth time in eight games.
Team Switzerland held a 1-0 lead over Team USA at the first intermission but the Americans went on to win by a 3-1 final. Swiss captain Mark Streit finished at minus-two in 23:17 of ice time and did not record a point or shot on goal. The Barry Ashbee Trophy winning offensive defenseman concluded the tournament with two assists in eight games and a minus-five rating.
The Czech team skated to a 5-3 win over Finland to advance to the semis. The game was tied at 1-1 after the first period. After briefly trailing 2-1, the Czechs scored the next two goals to take a 3-2 lead through two periods. Czech captain Jakub Voracek assisted on power play goals by former Flyers right winger Jaromir Jagr (two goals, one assist) in the middle frame. The Finns re-tied the game early in the third before Jagr scored the game-winner unassisted with 4:30 left in regulation. With Pekka Rinne pulled for an extra attacker, the Czechs added an empty netter in the final minute to seal the win.
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CHL Playoff Updates
* The Kelowna Rockets swept the Brandon Wheat Kings in the WHL Finals to skate off with the 2014-15 WHL Championship and earn a spot in the upcoming Memorial Cup in Quebec City. Flyers 2013 third-round pick Tyrell Goulbourne (sidelined indefinitely due a calf muscle laceration that required successful surgical intervention) did not play but had the opportunity to celebrate with his teammates. Current Flyers defenseman and former Rockets standout, Luke Schenn, was also on hand to cheer for Kelowna and celebrate the championship victory.
* Game Five of the QMJHL President's Cup Final will be held in Rimouski, Que., on Friday night as Flyers 2013 first-round pick Samuel Morin and the Rimouski Oceanic take on the Quebec Remparts. Game time is 7 p.m. EDT. The visiting team has won all four games to date in the series. Both the Remparts (automatic spot as tournament host) and Oceanic will advance to the Memorial Cup regardless of the outcome of the QMJHL championship round.
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TODAY IN FLYERS HISTORY: MAY 15
1973: In perhaps the most vital trade in franchise history, the Flyers reacquire the NHL rights of goaltender Bernie Parent from the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for a 1973 first-round draft pick (Bob Neely) and goaltender Doug Favell. Philadelphia also acquired a 1973 second-round pick (defenseman Larry "Izzy" Goodenough) in the trade. On the same day the organization brought back Parent, the Flyers also traded defenseman Rick Foley to the Detroit Red Wings for Serje Lajeunesse.
1975: The defending champion Flyers open the Stanley Cup Final with a 4-1 win at the Spectrum over the Buffalo Sabres. The game is scoreless for two periods before Bobby Clarke (one goal, two assists) and Bill Barber (two goals) lead a four-goal outburst. Bernie Parent stops 27 of 28 shots. Ross Lonsberry also tallies for Philly.
1980: The Flyers rebound from an overtime loss in Game One of the Stanley Cup Final to knot their series with the New York Islanders at one game apiece. Paul Holmgren becomes the first American player to score a hat trick in the Finals, leading an 8-3 blowout win at the Spectrum.
1984: The most important player in franchise history, Bobby Clarke, announces his retirement as a player at age 34. Upon his retirement, Clarke becomes the fourth general manager in franchise history, succeeding dismissed GM/head coach Bob McCammon.
2004: Continuing a series-long pattern of alternating-game wins, the Flyers knot the Eastern Conference Final with the Tampa Bay Lightning with an afternoon 3-2 home win in Game Four. A second-period shorthanded goal by captain Keith Primeau proves to be the winner.John LeClair and Mark Recchi also score for Philly. Fredrik Modin (mid-first period to give Tampa a 1-0 lead) and Vincent Lecavalier (final minute of the game, reducing a two-goal deficit to a one-goal loss) score power play goals for Tampa. Robert Esche stops 28 of 30 shots.
For other notable events in Flyers franchise history, visit the Flyers Alumni official website.
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FLYERS ALUMNI FANTASY HOCKEY CAMP
The Flyers Alumni will host a fantasy hockey camp from August 21-24 in Atlantic City, open to anyone age 21 and older. Instructors and Alumni participants will include Bernie Parent, Brian Propp, Ian Laperriere, Todd Fedoruk, Andre "Moose" Dupont, Dave "the Hammer" Schultz, Joe Watson and Bob "the Hound" Kelly.
The registration deadline is June 1. Participation costs $3,000 apiece but it is free to register a spot online. Over on the Flyers' Alumni website, there is more information on camp-related activities and on-ice schedules.