Larry Henry JrThe Philadelphia Flyers rebounded from an opening night loss by giving the Seattle Kraken their worst loss to date as an National Hockey League franchise.
Alain Vigneault’s side scored three first-period goals in an eventual 6-1 rout in Dave Hakstol’s return to Philadelphia. Carter Hart made 24 saves in the victory while six different Flyers got on the scoresheet with goals, giving the home faithful plenty to cheer about at the Wells Fargo Center.
Claude Giroux netted his second goal of the new season, slapping a one-time effort past Philippe Grubauer 9:18 into the first period. Travis Konecny was credited with the assist on Giroux’s goal, helping spark the Flyers to an early onslaught on Broad Street.
Oh Captain, our Captain. #SEAvsPHI | #BringItToBroad pic.twitter.com/Q1dqfxmvoZ
— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) October 18, 2021
Konecny added his second goal of the season, finishing off a pass from Keith Yandle past Grubauer for a 2-0 Flyers lead. Yandle’s shot was saved, but Konecny followed up the rebound to extend the Orange and Black’s advantage.
Derick Brassard added his first goal for the team in the 5:24 mark of the first period, sending a one-time shot from the corner boards past Grubauer to further extend the Flyers advantage. Travis Sanheim and Justin Braun earned the assists on the play, shuffling the puck from the blue-line down to the corner.
It was more of the same as the game went on as Ryan Ellis scored his first goal for the team. Ellis’ snap shot 7:10 into the second period continued the rout for the Flyers, finishing off assists from Joel Farabee and Brassard.
The first as a member of the Orange & Black. #SEAvsPHI | #BringItToBroad pic.twitter.com/eYDJJwaugn
— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) October 19, 2021
Braun skated down the ice and added his first goal of the season 1:39 later, which led to Hakstol pulling Grubauer before the end of the second period.
Carson Soucy pulled a consolation goal back for the Kraken with under three minutes to play in the second period, but the Flyers would hit back in the third as Farabee scored his second goal of the season. Brassard and Cam Atkinson connected on passes before Farabee’s snap shot capped off a dominant home win for the Flyers.
Beezer goes bar ⬇️.#SEAvsPHI | #BringItToBroad pic.twitter.com/eqZ2qNUidh
— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) October 19, 2021
Not only did the Flyers rack up the goals, but Nate Seeler took part in his first fight for the team and the Flyers out-shot, out-hit, and out-blocked the Kraken on the night.
The team will get Tuesday off before returning to play at the Wells Fargo Center against the Boston Bruins.
You can follow Larry Henry on Twitter (@lhenry019) and e-mail him at [email protected].
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