QUICK HITS: SEPTEMBER 11
1) Minutes after being denied by Semyon Varlamov on an overtime breakaway, Flyers right winger Jakub Voracek converted a shootout opportunity in the Czech Republic's 2-1 win over Russia in pre-tournament rematch tuneup with Team Russia on Saturday. Michal Neuvirth earned the win in goal, stopping 20 of 21 shots in regulation and OT and then two of three (one save, one missed net) in the shootout. The Czechs will take on Team North America, featuring Shayne Gostisbehere and Sean Couturier on Wednesday in Pitttsburgh before the World Cup starts in earnest on September 17.
2) Prior to the Team Canada vs. Team USA rematch on Saturday, Pierre LeBrun tweeted out the following regarding Flyers captain Claude Giroux, who appeared to take a knee-to-knee hit from USA forward Joe Pavelski on Friday but soon returned to the game.
Claude Giroux says he wasn't feeling too good this morning but he's fine now. Ready for tonight.
— Pierre LeBrun (@Real_ESPNLeBrun) September 10, 2016
It is not clear if Giroux was referring to what happened on Friday or something else was bothering him, such as feeling under the weather. In any case, Giroux played on Saturday in Canada's and skated 14;51 of ice time (including 2:16 on the power play and 34 seconds of penalty killing duty) in Canada's 5-2 win in the return game.
Canada plays its final tuneup game on Wednesday, hosting Team Russia.
3) On Sunday at 6 p.m. ET, Team North America (featuring Shayne Gostisbehere and Sean Couturier) will rematch with Team Europe (featuring Mark Streit and Pierre-Edouard Bellemare). The 23-and-under squad of U.S. and Canadian players handily won, 4-0, on Thursday.
4) The Faceoff Against Cancer event at Hatfield Ice on Friday and Saturday, featuring a Flyers Alumni Team game on the second day, raised $80,000 in proceeds. All funds go directly to selected local cancer patients and their families.