Nick Piccone
The Flyers’ goaltending this year has been suspect at best. What we thought would be a strength of the team heading into the season – due to last season’s spectacular play by both Steve Mason and Michal Neuvirth – has become the team’s weakness. Sure, there are still some big holes on defense, but help is on the way sooner than later.
We can’t say the same thing about goaltending … or can we? Last night, Anthony Stolarz made his NHL debut for the Flyers against the Calgary Flames. Boasting a 6-2-0 record with 2.39 goals against average and a .927 save percentage in eight games with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, Stolarz might be the answer for the future in Flyers’ netminding. And after giving up a rather soft shorthanded goal to the Flames in the first period, the guys in front of him gave him some cushion as the Flyers scored five goals to net Stolarz his first career win in his first career start, 5-3.
Stolarz made some impressive saves during the game, probably his best one coming late in the second period by moving laterally to stop a shot with his right toe.
Anthony Stolarz with two fantastic saves, keeping the game 4-1. pic.twitter.com/xNmcxTKAjS
— Philly Influencer (@PHL_Influencer) November 28, 2016
Nice save. pic.twitter.com/rqjTdo1DXB
— Philly Influencer (@PHL_Influencer) November 28, 2016
He talked after the game.
Anthony Stolarz talks after the game. pic.twitter.com/BFZMDE3auc
— Philly Influencer (@PHL_Influencer) November 28, 2016
Stolarz will be sent back to the Phantoms once Neuvirth returns from his injury, but it’s good to see the possible future Flyers’ starter getting his first win in his first career NHL start.
Sidenote: Thank you, Wayne!
Wayne Simmonds just saved Travis Konecny's life. pic.twitter.com/NiexijHt5C
— Philly Influencer (@PHL_Influencer) November 28, 2016