Wrapup: Islanders 3 - Flyers 2 (OT)
The Philadelphia Flyers were unable to build on a pair of one-goal leads and ultimately lost in overtime, 3-2, to the New York Islanders at the PPL Center in Allentown on Friday night. A 4-on-3 power play goal on a scorching one-time by Ryan Pulock ended the game.
Shayne Gostisbehere (3rd power play goal of the preseason) opened the scoring in a dominant first period for the Flyers on a blistering point shot of his own, assisted by Jakub Voracek and Jordan Weal. Travis Konecny (1st goal of the preseason) scored on a breakaway in the second period, assisted by Mikhail Vorobyev and Mark Friedman.
Carter Hart got the start in goal for the Flyers, stopping all nine shots he faced over 30:29. His toughest saves came on a tough deflection late in the first period and a two-save penalty kill with the Flyers down on a lengthy 5-on-3 disadvantage. Anthony Stolarz relieved him and was not as sharp as in previous preseason outings. He stopped seven of 10 shots and took a late regulation tripping penalty on a play at the right post. The Islanders won the game on their ensuing power play.
Jakub Kovar and Ross Johnston scored in regulation for the Islanders. The Kovar goal came off loose coverage by Philly as he was able to walk in and score. The Johnston goal, scored 16 seconds after he exited the penalty box on an end of 2nd period penalty, came on a scramble around the net after a Mark Friedman turnover.
For the Flyers, a more immediate concern was the fact that Gostisbehere left the game late in the second period and did not return to the game. Per Flyers general manager Ron Hextall, Ghost was taken out for "precautionary reasons."
The Flyers went 1-for-6 on the power play, with the early power plays generating better pressure than the latter ones (including three ineffective man advantages early in the third period). They were 5-for-6 on the penalty kill.
The Flyers will hold a 10:30 a.m. practice on Saturday at the Skate Zone in Voorhees, NJ.
For more on the game, including key plays and analysis, visit
Flyers.NHL.com.'
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Neuvirth Injured at Morning Skate
Flyers goaltender Michal Neuvirth suffered an apparent lower-body injury during the morning skate in Voorhees on Friday. It is suspected to be a groin injury, because Neuvirth was hunched over for a long period of time and then appeared to be stretching his groin before slamming his stick on the top of the bench and leaving the ice. He spoke with trainers Sal Raffa and Jim McCrossin before heading back to the locker room.
General manager Ron Hextall spoke to the media during the first intermission of the game in Allentown. Hextall said that he suspects Neuvirth will miss time but hopes to have more clarity on Saturday.
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FIVE ON WAIVERS
The Flyers placed five veteran players on waivers on Friday for purposes of assigning them to the Phantoms if/when they clear on Saturday: forwards Phil Varone, Mike Vecchione, Danick Martel and Cole Bardreau as well as defenseman T.J. Brennan.
Three other players were not on the ice for the Flyers at practice on Friday: Nicolas Aube-Kubel, Pascal Laberge and Radel Fazleev. Hextall said that Aube-Kubel is "sore" and took a maintenance day but is still on the roster. Laberge is injured. Fazleev was also dealing with an injury but is likely to be imminently cleared and will be assigned to the Phantoms.
Hextall also said that Phantoms rookie David Kase, who missed time at camp with an upper-body injury, is now fine. He was assigned to the Phantoms in the previous round of roster cuts.
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PROSPECT UPDATES
* The OHL game between the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (Morgan Frost) and Sarnia Sting was postponed due to high winds in Sault Ste. Marie. The game will be rescheduled.
* OHL: Isaac Ratcliffe did not record a point in the Guelph Storm's 4-2 opening night home loss to the Sudbury Wolves on Friday night. Ratcliffe recorded one shot on goal and was minus-one.
* OHL: Matthew Strome did not record a point in the Hamilton Bulldogs' opening night 7-5 road loss to the Brampton Battalion on Friday night. He had three shots on goal.
* WHL: The Everett Silvertips (Wyatte Wylie) were in opening night action on the road against the Vancouver Giants on Friday night. Wylie recorded a power play assist -- initially credited as a goal -- on a point blast that tied the game at 1-1 in the latter stages of the first period. Vancouver ultimately won, 3-1. Wylie had a half dozen shots on goal for the game. He finished at -2 at even strength.
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