Bryz looked good tonight, blocking 33 shots, but that wasn't enough as the Penguins stole one from the Flyers in OT, winning 2-1. Possible pig creature, Tyler Kennedy, scored the winning goal halfway into the overtime. Unlike most Penguins-Flyers game, this one was not the least bit action packed.
There were no fights during the game and the defenses were the driving points for both teams. At the end of one the score was 0-0. Giroux scored his 10th goal of the year off an assist from Penguins C Tanner Glass. Glass literally sent a failed pass from Giroux right back to him, which he immediately scored off.
The defense has no doubt been Philly's Achilles heel all season and tonight was no difference. Bryz was a wall for most of the game, but when a team spends an entire period in their own zone it is tough to not let up a single goal. The Flyers simply could not get the puck in their own offensive zone and after Simmonds got called for slashing and the Penguins went on the power play it was all downhill.
It's not looking like things are going to get any better this season in Philadelphia. That loss drops the Flyers to 13th in the east. I'll still cheer and hope that the team can sneak into the playoffs as a 7 or 8 seed, but it may be time to start turning our attention to the draft to rebuild the lacking defense. It would not be in the team's best interest now to attempt any 'blockbuster' trades. If we have to waste a season at least it comes during a strike-shortened year.
The orange and black take the ice again on Tuesday against the also struggling (albeit not nearly as bad) Rangers. This will begin a 5-game home stand. By the end of this home stand it should be pretty clear whether the Flyers will have a realistic shot of making the playoffs or if it's time to 'suck for Seth'.
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