Wrapup: Flyers 5- Islanders 2, Ghost and Hagg, Prospect Roundup

WRAPUP: FLYERS BLOW OUT ISLES, 5-2

The Philadelphia Flyers ran their preseason record to 3-1-0 with a 5-2 win over the New York Islanders on Friday evening at the Wells Fargo Center. With New York dressing a mostly "B" group lineup in Philadelphia with its "A" squad playing a split squad game against the New Jersey Devils, the Flyers overcame a sloppy start to pull away as the night progressed.

Shayne Gostisbehere (power play) and Brayden Schenn scored their respective third goals of the preseason for Philadelphia. The Flyers also got tallies from Chris Porter, Michael Raffl and Matt Read (power play) and a two-assist performance by Evgeny Medvedev.

Thus far in the preseason, the Flyers have scored 17 goals while yielding 11. Over the last two games, seven different players have scored at least once and 12 different players have tallied in the four games overall. The Flyers are 7-for-16 (43.8 percent) on the power play thus far, including a 2-for-5 performance against the Islanders on Friday.

"It is nice to have the scoring spread out," said Flyers head coach Dave Hakstol. "If you look at some of the goals from down around the blue paint, whether it's power power play goals or even some of the goals on point shots where there's a good net-front presence. The guy standing down on top of the blue paint doesn't get a point but unless that guy fights for the space and is willing to go there, the goal isn't scored."

Making his second start of the preseason, Michal Neuvirth stopped 23 of 25 shots to earn the victory. He appeared to get stronger as the game moved along.

"It’s a process, feeling good in practices, definitely felt better today as the game went on, felt really good in the 3rd period," Neuvirth said after the game. "It’s good to have early shots against and got a little unlucky on the 2nd goal, but overall I thought I was good."

Added left winger Porter, "We didn’t come out and play great, they did. So [Neuvirth] kept us in it and it’s what’s were asking him to do and I thought he did what he was supposed to do.…

New York took a short-lived lead midway through the first period on a Bracken Kearns goal. Philly responded quickly and then went on to build a 4-1 lead before Casey Cizikas temporarily cut the deficit back to two goals.

Christopher Gibson played the first two periods in net, stopping 16 of 20 shot and being charged with the loss. Kevin Poulin took over in goal for the third period, turning back five of six shots.

With Jakub Voracek in the penalty box for an offensive zone cross-checking penalty, the Islanders took a 1-0 lead at 9:40 of the first period. The Flyers' penalty kill, which ultimately went 6-for-7 on the night, was out of synch on this attempted kill.

During the first half of New York's power play, the Flyers had three failed clearing attempts -- Radko Gudas, Porter and Pierre-Edouard Bellemare -- before the puck finally went out of the zone. Later, the Islanders scored a line rush goal open the scoring.

Halmo beat Evegeny Medvedev off the rush, and the Flyers never got their coverage set. Michael Del Zotto got spun around by Halmo and then failed pick up anyone in front. Kearns scored from the doorstep to make it 1-0 on the power play goal.

The Flyers got the goal right back. The puck went around the boards where Medvedev held it in at the right point and directed it at the net. Porter moved in front and deflected the puck past Gibson to tie the score at 1-1 at the 10:44 mark. Medvedev got the lone assist.

Philadelphia got away away with some errant passes in the neutral zone and high in the defensive zone -- pucks going off the heels of teammates' skates -- as time ticked down near five minutes left in the first period. No shots resulted.

With 4:34 left in the opening period, the Flyers went on the power play as Casey Cizikas went off for slashing. The Philadelphia power play didn't need long to cash in.

After a crisp puck rotation, a save by Gibson and a failed clear by Calvin de Haan, the puck went to Gostisbehere, who hammered home a shot into the net for his third goal of the preseason and a 2-1 lead for the Flyers. The goal was unassisted.

The Flyers survived a late-period high sticking double minor on Chris VandeVelde. With 53 seconds left on the kill and 32.5 seconds left in the period, Thomas Hickey tripped Colin McDonald behind the New York net to cancel out the rest of the New York advantage.

Although outshot by an 11-8 margin in the first period and out-attempted by a 22-15 margin, the Flyers took a 2-1 lead to the locker room.

Schenn's early second period goal at 3:55 was a beauty, scored on a line rush down the right wing. Beating Islanders' defenseman Jesse Graham to the outside, Schenn then made a sharp inside cut to move across the crease and swept the puck home before being sent airborne.

“The way he scored his goal is a combination of power hockey and ability," said Hakstol. "Taking it across the top of the crease the way he did. It was a simple play on a quick regroup play. It was power hockey up the wall, took it to the net, and scored a great goal.…

Playing his off-wing, the left-handed shooting Schenn was able to be on his forehand as he moved across the crease to his left. Gudas and Andrew MacDonald got the assists.

"Playing the other side you may not have the chance to pull it back on the forehand and take it to the far post just cause you have the puck sitting on the outside rather than the inside. Maybe that’s a play right there but that’s an instance where I just caught the [opponent] flat footed," said Schenn.

The Flyers quickly extended the lead to 4-1, as Raffl followed up his own rebound from the left side and flipped the puck off the goalie and into the top of the net at the 4:28 mark. Del Zotto and Voracek received the helpers on Raffl's second of the preseason.

A few minutes later, Raffl made a nice play on the backcheck to break up a New York rush on a counter attack after a loose puck off errant pass by Claude Giroux intended for a pinching Gostisbehere ended up in the Isles' possession.

Although pleased that he's become a more regular goal contributor over the past year, Raffl still views his primary role on his line and the team as someone who can be a defensive conscience as well as being a good forechecker and offensive support player.

"That’s kind of my role. When I play with those two big guys out there be very responsible in the defensive part of the game I would say. If G and Jake are in the corner I’m going to be the first guy back trying to get the puck somehow," said Raffl.

"Offense starts with good defense. If everybody works their backs off in our end we are going to create offensive chances as well."

The Islanders trimmed the gap to 4-2 at the 8:48 mark, Cizikas ripped a top of the right circle shot high to the short side over Neuvirth's glove. Matt Martin and Loic Leduc got the assists.

The Flyers shook off the goal to continue to get the territorial edge for most the middle frame. Shots were 12-5 Flyers in the second period; 20-16 Flyers through two periods.

With Josh Bailey in the box for slashing VandeVelde in the New York defensive zone, the Flyers extended the lead to 5-2 at 8:49 of the third period. A cross-ice pass return from Medvedev made its way to Read at the left post and he tucked it into the empty side at 8:49. Gagner got the secondary assist.

Referees Jean Hebert and Mark Lemelin whistled five penalties in the third period; three to the Islanders and two to the Flyers. The Islanders outshot Philly, 9-6, in the final period but Neuvirth was equal to every challenge. Philadelphia outshot New York for the game by a slim 26-25 margin.

The NHL-mandated 3-on-3 overtime "rehearsal" originally scheduled for this game was canceled due to road travel considerations coinciding with the Pope's visit to Philadelphia. The announced paid attendance was 17,369 but the turnstile count, as expected, was considerably lower.

GOSTISBEHERE AND HAGG CONTINUE TO IMPRESS

Flyers defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere and his defense partner, fellow second-year pro Robert Hà¤gg seem to have established good chemistry on the ice in their two games together during the preseason.

Gostibehere, who has notched three goals in the last two games, has dazzle with his offensive prowess. Hà¤gg, a second-round pick in 2013, has quietly demonstrated signs of improvement from his rookie year, and earned a longer camp in camp than 2013 first-round pick Samuel Morin.

"We played together in Brooklyn so we had one game under our belts," Gostisbehere said after Friday's 5-2 preseason win over the New York Islanders at the Wells Fargo Center.

"We had great communication. We say the same thing for every shift. A simple, just talk to each other, be each other’s eyes, and take it shift by shift.…

Flyers coach Dave Hakstol said after Friday's game that Gostisbehere has begun to emerge offensively after missing most of last season with a torn ACL in his left knee. The coach cautioned, however, that the player's all-around development is a work in progress.

"You evaluate the total game," said Hakstol. "This is a tough game to play in. I'm very positive about the impact Shayne is having. He didn't have a good first couple days of camp but he's working on his game and he's doing a good job."

"There are big positives to what he's bringing to the table. He's coming off a year where he didn't play a lot of hockey. When you evaluate some areas of the game, areas away from the puck, those are things he'll continue to work at. He's done a very nice job on the power play."

Asked specifically about the defensive part of Gostisbehere's game, the coach praised the 22-year-old's commitment to improvement but said further development is needed.

“I think he’s worked hard at it. I think he’s had some good and some bad along the way. I think he’d tell you the same thing. I think there are things there that he’s learning every day. Down below, tops of circles in our end. Young players have to work every day to learn the details of the game," said Hakstol.

Gostisbehere said he feels likes he's moving in the right direction, defensively as well as offensively.

"I just focus on doing my job. My game is going to be different then the guy that’s 6’5…," said the 5-foot-11, 186-pound Gostisbehere. "When I pick my spots, when I’m not going to move anyone in front of the net and put them on their back so I’m just focusing on what I need to do to play good sound defense. Just like coach Hakstol’s been saying, ‘You play quick defense, you’re faster in the O zones.'"

In the meantime, Hakstol said he's been impressed by what he's seen from Hà¤gg throughout camp, as the player appears more poised and confident than he did a year ago as a 19-year-old rookie.

"[We have liked] the growth of his game over a year. I wasn’t here a year ago, but I see where he’s at right now and he's a very efficient player. His role is different than Shayne Gostisbehere. Within his role he’s doing a good job. He’s a consistent everyday player. He’s earned his way to this point. He’s shown a ton of growth as a young player in the American Hockey League last year and that’s what he’s displaying right now. He’s earned his way here," said Hakstol.

Asked about how he sees his own role, Hà¤gg said his goal is to play a no-frills game but still be an effective two-way contributor. He has enjoyed playing with the speedy Gostisbehere. The two did not play together as a pairing in Allentown before Gostisbehere's season-ending injury early last November.

"That’s my game, I like pull out here and make the first quick pass and shut down guys. I love to play with Shayne he’s a spectacular good guy and a great player out there." said Hà¤gg.

FLYERS PROSPECT UPDATES

All of the CHL-eligible Flyers prospects cut from the team's NHL preseason roster earlier this week are back with their junior teams and have returned to game action. Likewise, it has been a busy slate for the team's prospects playing for European teams. Here's a roundup of their most recent performances:

Western Hockey League (WHL)

Travis Sanheim: Coming off a disappointing training camp with the Flyers, the Flyers' 2014 first-round pick climbed back on the horse quickly with a strong return game to the Western Hockey League's Calgary Hitmen. Sanheim notched a power play goal and was plus-one at even strength in Calgary's 4-2 road win over the Kootenay Ice on Friday night. The goal was scored as Sanheim pinched from the left point to the medium left slot and quickly converted a centering pass.

The only negative for Sanheim on this night was a careless high-sticking minor among a pair of minor penalties he took in the game. The Hitmen return to action on Saturday, hosting Kootenay on the back end of a home-and-home set.

Radel Fazleev: Making his return to game action from an upper-body injury suffered in late July, the Flyers' 2015 sixth-round pick scored a power play goal for Calgary in its win over Kootenay on Friday night. The goal was scored off a center-point one-timer through traffic.

Ivan Provorov: The Brandon Wheat Kings suffered a frustrating 2-1 home shootout loss to the Swift Current Broncos on Friday night. The Wheaties held a 54-19 shot advantage through 65 minutes of hockey with an equally lopsided shot attempt disparity but their "Corsi/Fenwick victory" did not amount to a win in the standings as Broncos goaltender Landon Bow stole the show with 53 saves in regulation and overtime and then stopping all three shots he faced in the shootout.

Flyers' 2015 first-round pick Provorov did not record a point and was not out for either team's single goals in regulation. He logged heavy ice time for coach Kelly McCrimmon's squad. The Wheat Kings rematch on Saturday in the back end of a home-and-home with the rematch venue shifting to Swift Current.

Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL)

Nicolas-Aube Kubel: The Flyers 2014 second-round pick had to leave Friday's game Val-d'Or Foreurs game with the Rimouski Oceanic. At the 5:38 mark of the opening period, Aube-Kubel was on the receiving end of a vicious hit by Michael Joly.

Joly received a game misconduct for checking to the head and faces potential supplementary discipline from the league. The teams will rematch on Saturday. It is doubtful that Aube-Kubel will be able to play. However, he tweeted after Friday's game that he was feeling better.

Samuel Dove-McFalls: The Flyers 2015 fourth-round pick recorded an assist in the St. John Sea Dogs' 3-2 win over the Charlottetown Islanders on Friday night. The Sea Dogs' alternate captain won nine of 19 faceoffs, was credited with one hit and put two of three attempted shots on net. The Sea Dogs return to action on Sunday with a road game against Acadie-Bathurst.

Philippe Myers: The Rouyn-Noranda Huskies earned a 3-1 road win over the Victoriaville Tigers on Friday. Defensive defenseman Myers, who scored a goal in Thursday's 6-5 shootout win over the Quebec Remparts, did not dress against Victoriaville for an undisclosed reason. The Huskies return to action on Sunday with a road game in Shawinigan. With two goals in four regular season games, the 6-foot-5 Myers has already matched his goal total in 60 games last season and doubled his QMJHL career goal total. Coming into the season, the 18-year-old Myers had scored twice in 106 Quebec League regular season games.

Ontario Hockey League

Travis Konecny: The Flyers' 2015 first-round pick has had a very busy week of hockey, playing on Monday and Tuesday in preseason games with the Flyers and in OHL games on Thursday and Friday with the Ottawa 67's.

On Thursday, Konecny scored two goals -- including a nifty deflection tally -- in a 5-4 regulation loss to the Peterborough Petes. Things started out inauspiciously as a Konecny turnover led to a Peterborough goal just 10 seconds after the opening faceoff. Thereafter, Konecny dominated much of the game. He generated roughly a half-dozen good scoring chances on top of his two goals, getting a game-high seven shots on goal and missing the net five times.

In Friday's game, the 67's got smoked by the host Mississauga Steelheads to the tune of 7-0. Konecny, who was minus-one in the Peterborough game, was minus-three against Mississauga. He had three shots on goal. Ottawa returns to action on Sunday afternoon, hosting the Barrie Colts.

Swedish Hockey League (SHL)

Felix Sandström: The Flyers 2015 third round pick made his first start of the 2015-16 regular season on Thursday, backstopping Brynà¤s IF Gà¤vle to a 2-1 regulation victory over Djurgà¥rdens IF. Sandström turned back 21 of 22 shots. He is expected to back up veteran Bernhard Starkbaum in Saturday's game against HV71 Jönköping.

Oskar Lindblom: Skating on the top line for Brynà¤s, power winger Lindblom has one point (an assist) in three regular season games to date. The Flyers' 2014 fifth-round pick did not record a point against Djurgà¥rden but had three shots on goal and skated 15:43 of ice time.

Molodezhnaya Hokkeinaya Liga (MHL)

Mikhail Vorobyov: The center broke a six-game point drought with an assist in Tolpar Ufa's 4-3 overtime win against Sibirskie Snaipery on Saturday. He went 8-for-20 on faceoffs and took two minor penalties. For the season to date, Vorobyov has zero goals and four assists in eight games. He has received 12 penalty minutes and is 48.7 percent (73-for-150) on draws.

Ivan Fedotov: The hulking goaltender selected by the Flyers in the seventh round of the 2015 NHL Draft has been on recall from MHL club Reaktor to its KHL parent club Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk over the past week. Fedotov is with the big team to serve as its backup goaltender while Finnish netminder Ville Kolppanen is out with an injury.

Czech Extraliga

David Kase: The Flyers' 2015 fifth-round pick serves as the fourth-line center for Pirati Chomutov. He earned more ice time in the team's most recent game; a 2-1 shootout win over PSG Zlin. Kase skated a season high 13:06 and 17 shifts. He had one shot on goal, an even plus-minus and went 3-for-6 on faceoffs. For the season, Kase does not have a point in five games but had only played about eight-and-a-half minutes per game in the first four regular season matches. The Pirates return to action on Sunday with a road game against HC Olomouc.