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Sam Ersson Picked a Good Time to Play his Best Game of the Season
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The Flyers were a +170 underdog on Monday night’s NHL slate and grinded out a 2-1 win against the Pacific-leading Golden Knights, ending a six-game skid against an opponent that was riding a seven-game win streak.
They got it done with two breakaway Travis Konecny goals while Sam Ersson looked like prime Mike Richter in what amounted to a badly-needed rebound game with Dan Vladar still working through his injury.
“Some individuals gutted it out for us,” said Rick Tocchet after the game. “TK was awesome, two unassisted goals. (Cam York) blocked a bunch of shots, Sanheim – the penalty kill (was good). They had some looks and they’re a great team, but obviously we don’t want to give up seven power plays. We gotta talk about that. But a lot of our players (gave) a gutsy effort.”
“It’s a confidence builder. I think they’re one of the best power plays (in the NHL). (Todd Reirden) actually did a presentation in the morning and I think it helped, but still, we just gotta be careful.”
Tocchet noted that Ersson isn’t feeling sorry for himself and is facing his struggles head-on with a good attitude. It was the best game the goaltender has played this season stopping 24 of 25 shots while facing seven power plays against the fourth-best PP team in the league. The Flyers aren’t a terrible penalty killing team, now 77.9% on the season, but they’re still bottom-half in the NHL.
Only once previously this season has Ersson allowed fewer than two goals in a game. That was against the lowly Blackhawks the day before Christmas Eve. He had conceded 15 goals in his four most recent appearances against the Lightning, Sabres, Penguins, and Rangers. His save percentage now stands at .860 on the year.
It’s not a sustainable way of winning, scratching and clawing and nicking two breakaway goals while a backup stands on his head, but it was the type of effort they needed to end the six-game skid. They’ve got Utah on Wednesday night, then the league-leading Avalanche on Friday, and points are going to be at a premium over these next two weeks. They’re three points off the final Wild Card spot but also six points off the conference basement, so this season could really go either way, and quickly.
Kevin has been writing about Philadelphia sports since 2009. He spent seven years in the CBS 3 sports department and started with the Union during the team's 2010 inaugural season. He went to the academic powerhouses of Boyertown High School and West Virginia University. email - k.kinkead@sportradar.com