Sloppy play defines Flyers 4-0 loss to Leafs

by Travis Hughes on Sep 18, 2009 11:17 AM EDT in Philadelphia Flyers Game Recaps - 09-10

[Recap] - [Boxscore] - [Complete Coverage] - [TOR Reaction]

You can tell this isn't the regular season. The Flyers looked completely lost in the offensive zone and it led to a 4-0 loss at John Labatt Centre last night in London, Ontario. The game doesn't count, of course, but in our first view of televised Flyers hockey this season, the team didn't impress.

Brian Boucher played flat out miserably in the first half of the game, allowing three goals. Of course, his defense didn't help much either. Logan Stephenson, in camp on an amateur try out contract, was paired with Ryan Parent, and it wasn't hard to tell that he's no Kimmo Timonen. A complete defensive breakdown by Stephenson led to the first Leafs goal. He was knocked down in front, Parent went to cover for him, and when Stephenson got back up, he skated right into Parent, leaving a wide open Lee Stempniak to bang home the loose puck.

Later in the period, former London Knight and 2009 Leafs draft pick Nazem Kadri teamed up with Niklas Hagman to turn Stephenson inside out on a nifty little passing maneuver. Poor kid, 2-0 Toronto.

It's not really all that unexpected, or really a concern for that matter, that a kid who won't make the team made some mistakes on defense. It is a slight concern, however, the way the team played offense last night. Maybe it had something to do with taking way too many penalties for a second consecutive night, but the Flyers didn't seem to get any chemistry going on the offensive end at all. They got pucks to the net successfully at times, but most of the time they were low-percentage shots that were easily turned aside by whatever AHL-caliber goalie the Leafs had in net.

The physicality was definitely there, as expected, and there were several fights. Arron Asham delivered a cheap shot to Mikhail Grabovski at center ice late in the third period that was pretty dirty. There's really no need for that sort of thing, especially in the preseason. Disappointing. It's hard to complain about the penalties as a whole, though because the Leafs took just as many. It was just that sort of game. And Scott Hartnell didn't play.

Overall, the Leafs just looked like they wanted it more. They beat the Flyers to loose pucks, they fought harder, and they beat the Flyers in just about every aspect of the game. That's a concern, and the fact that Coach Stevens said in his post-game news conference that he "liked the effort" is slightly disturbing.

It wasn't all bad last night, though. Danny Syvret, an outside shot at making the Flyers and, most certainly the number one or two defenseman on the Phantoms, had a solid game in his old home rink (he also played junior hockey in London). James van Riemsdyk played well again, and Blair Betts continued to show how badly he wants a spot on this roster.

The bright spots are something to build on, but the game is something to forget.

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I tought Carcillo looked pretty good last night he played with some jump in his skates (I am not considering all the after the whistle stuff he was involved in but he looked good when he was on the ice. Richards and Kimmo looked rusty the really good chances we they did get bounced on them or just slid of the stick.

I don’t know why a boarding call was not called against Schenn it looked like he left his skates and hit Carcillo clear in the back into the boards. The Asham hit was dirty but if he wanted to he could have end the season for Grabovski by going up high, a stiff shoulder to the the chest doesn’t deserve a 5 min major. When Carcillo did get into a fight why he got a extra 2 min also seemed excessive he did get in his face but he certainly did not drop his gloves 1st because he still had one on as he was escorted to the box. The refs are not going to give him a favorable call, I can see why he gets mad and piles up all the 10 misconducts.

I hated having to listen to the Maple Leafs announcers who for some reason would not announce all the penalties after these scrums just the times and which team got the powerplay. Back to the Asham hit I want my team to play nasty at the end of games which are out of reach. We have to get back to that intimidating style of play especially at home. If we are down 4-0 I want fights, gloves to the face and hard “clean” hits if we are going to lose I want to go down fighting. Teams were afraid to get big leads on the Flyers in the past because they knew they were going to be sore in the morning. Last season we would take losing a game like it was no big deal and it cost us home ice in the end.

by chrislanci on Sep 18, 2009 12:42 PM EDT reply actions

ugh

really? carcillo looked good? i stopped reading everything u typed after that. he is horrible and half the roster they used last night was just as bad. syvret looked good pinchng up on o at times and faily well at d. you could tell nobody was trying (carter, richards) as hard as they could halfway into the 1st. i wouldnt look at the score or judge either goalie from this preseason so far. they have had crap in front of them. but i have 100% confidence they will be great come the season.

by XxXseigleXxX on Sep 18, 2009 1:17 PM EDT reply actions

Agreed

Carcillo doesn’t impress. He did have one good shift, general agitation that drew a penalty.

Hope to see more effort this Saturday with a better lineup. No use going out there and playing half-ass because that leads to some bad habits. I wouldn’t be surprised if the roster doesn’t get pared down today. Pretty bad play all around.

Betts was mentioned as giving a good effort. He turned the puck over, fell down, and missed the point before Stephenson was undressed for the 1st goal. Not impressed.

by stubborne on Sep 18, 2009 1:49 PM EDT up reply actions

hmmm

I would love to hear everyone’s opinions about RILEY COTE. During the season last year, we watched him get pounded every game. It got to a point where I would cringe when I saw his gloves come off, and had to watch the fights with one eye closed!!! (scared to see him get hurt). Last night showed me has not improved whatsoever. Why in the world are we holding a roster spot for a guy who can’t skate, or play hockey at all, and can’t win a fight? Why do we have 3 spots taken by him, Asham, and Carcillo At least Asham and Carcillo can play the game a little bit. GET RID OF COTE!!!
How can we be considered the broad street bullies (again) when we lose all of our fights!! How can we have Cote, Carcillo, Asham, plus a couple more that are willing to drop the gloves.. losing all of their fights! It is seriously embarrassing. ON TOP OF THAT, isn’t Craig Berube on our coaching staff??? Can’t he teach any of them how to fight???

This is coming from the guy who named his cats Riley and Asham :)

I miss Brashear!!!

by chief32 on Sep 18, 2009 4:12 PM EDT reply actions

I am inclined to agree

Except Riley took 12 minor penalties in 63 games compared to Carcillo’s 9 minors in 20 games. On a team that has composure and penalty issues, that’s one thing Riley has going for him that Carcillo doesn’t. (Asham took 20 minors in 78 games.) So, Carcillo takes a minor once every 2 games, Cote takes one ever 3 games, and Asham takes one every 4 games. Obviously, that’s rounding, but Cote does have one positive. Plus, he’s great in the community. Make that two positives.

Broad Street Hockey -
Makin' it look mean since 1967.

by Geoff Detweiler on Sep 18, 2009 4:22 PM EDT up reply actions

Why does anyone care if Riley Cote “wins” a fight or not? Could someone please explain this to me?

by MarioD on Sep 18, 2009 5:06 PM EDT up reply actions

Cote is too small

We have guys who drop the gloves and are willing to go but Carcillo, Cote, Asham, Lappiere stand no chance against the much bigger stronger goons out there. I am talking about the 6ft 4in guys like Brasher and Geogre Parros, Winning fights doesn’t matter as seen by Maxime Talbot’s pounding at the hands of Carcillo in the playoffs. Talbot loss the fight but in the end he was carrying the one thing that does matter, Lord Stanley’s Cup.

by chrislanci on Sep 21, 2009 11:22 AM EDT up reply actions

Glens Falls, New York is a vibrant community.

I like Cote, always have since his ECHL days with Dayton, but I’d much rather have guys on the team that actually have an impact offensively. There’s no way we carry Carcillo, Asham, and Cote (at least that better not happen). Riley is the odd man out.

Broad Street Hockey - SB Nation's Philadelphia Flyers Blog. Makin' it look mean since 1967.

by Travis Hughes on Sep 18, 2009 4:40 PM EDT reply actions

Side Note

I’m glad Danny Syvret is getting some attention. In what was a minor trade at the time (Ryan Potulny), it seems both are getting chances this year. I remember Copper & Blue coming over and asking about him in context of our conversation over the summer. He’s not going to be anything fantastic, but I don’t think it’s out of the question to see him as being our 6th defenseman this year, let alone filling in for an injury.

If the previously floated Gauthier treatment is in fact given to Randy Jones, I’m not sure the team would be missing anything with Syvret. He had a career year with the Phantoms last year, scoring 12 goals and adding 45 assists. Also, he was a +7. And, he only costs the team $575,000, which would rank him third least expensive on the team (Powe and Cote).

Broad Street Hockey -
Makin' it look mean since 1967.

by Geoff Detweiler on Sep 18, 2009 4:52 PM EDT reply actions

all I’m going to say is that this is pre-season…nothing to get worked up about. Ray Emery has played well and is showing some very welcome signs of being a solid netminder for us. Goals have been hard to come by but we are using more of the younger guys from the Phantoms and even if we do lose every preseason game….won’t really amount to squat for us and to the teams that beat us.

Nash for 8 More, Baby!

by PhillyPhan85 on Sep 18, 2009 5:09 PM EDT reply actions