Sure, the Philadelphia Flyers are on a point streak and have suddenly put themselves deep in the playoff conversation in the Eastern Conference. Ready to battle with several other teams for the Wild Card spots as we head into the second half of the regular season. But why have they suddenly found their stride?
Is it rookie star Matvei Michkov finally finding some consistent linemates? Not really. Is it the collection of young forwards really being able to build upon last season and take that next step in their development? Probably not. Is it the six defensemen really getting solidified as a unit with three very good pairs? Not likely. Now, is it Sam Ersson being able to stop the puck and provide the Flyers the one thing they have been missing all season? Nope.
Is it the Flyers partnering with Pennsylvania Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PSPCA), bringing nine puppies into the locker room for the players to play with and name? You bet it is.
Morning skate optional. Puppy time mandatory. @PSPCA | #LetsGoFlyers pic.twitter.com/ipl72tzEul
— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) January 23, 2025
Announced by the Flyers on Thursday, the team have partnered with the PSPCA and have collectively named nine little, adorable, cute-as-ever nine-week-old Great Pyrenees puppies after nine players in an effort to get them adopted. And for some additional attention, they got a whole bunch of footage of the players enjoying their time with the pups in the locker room earlier in the season.
But, that day just so happened to be before the Jan. 11 game against the Anaheim Ducks at home where they absolutely smoked Cutter Gauthier and his pals by a score of 6-0. Perhaps the most fun Flyers game of the season happened just hours after these players got to have their hearts filled by playing with some puppies.
Since then, the Flyers have just kept on racking up the points. The team has earned a 5-0-1 record since the PSPCA visited. That’s right. The Flyers are an absolute wagon and it is because of being able to force a smile on their faces through this grueling season.
“It keeps your mind fresh, as in trying to find different distractions,” Flyers head coach John Tortorella said Thursday after practice. “You know how I feel about that with the dogs and the animals, I would do that all day with the players if need be. I think it’s healthy for the players and quite honestly the platform we have and the players have, we should be doing that stuff. It’s really important and I think it changes people’s lives. You’re talking about animal welfare, it’s such a big boost to the people grinding away trying to help these animals out.”
If the Flyers somehow make the playoffs and go on a little bit of a miraculous run, we know who to give the credit to. Nine little cutesy-wootsie pups.