Heartbreak: Flyers Late Goal Overturned, Fall 2-1 in Overtime vs. Oilers

The Philadelphia Flyers had a heartbreaking loss on Wednesday night, falling 2-1 to the defending Western Conference Champion Edmonton Oilers. With the loss, the Flyers’ record dropped to 8-5-3, still earning a point.

After a back-and-forth first 15 minutes of the game, the Oilers took control before the Flyers found themselves back in the game. Matvei Michkov extended his goal streak with a second-period goal.

It looked like late-game heroics from Travis Konecny, but a review wiped his goal, and the game would go to overtime.

The Flyers would drop Wednesday’s contest 2-1. Here is how it happened.

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Even Through Two

For the first 15 minutes or so, it was a very evenly matched contest. Both teams had their chances. Owen Tippett rang the iron early in the first period. The Oilers had a puck get past Vladar, but it bounced away from the goal line.

Each team traded possessions, but none resulted in a goal. There was not really a momentum shift until an Oilers power play with 6:17 to go in the first period.

Vasily Podkolzin drew a hook on Nick Seeler, giving the Oilers the man advantage. The momentum would tilt after the power play, but not in the way you’d think.

Philadelphia’s penalty killers did a great job keeping the ever-dangerous Oilers power play at bay. While one would think the Flyers would build some momentum after that, it was Edmonton that started to grab hold of the game.

It quickly became Edmonton’s game, as the Oilers dominated possession following the power play. They took advantage of that as Evan Bouchard buried a rocket from the high slot after a pass from Connor McDavid, and Edmonton took the 1-0 lead into intermission, outshooting the Flyers 13-5.

Edmonton picked up right where they left off in the first, with its foot on the gas. The Oilers continued their domination, but Dan Vladar stood on his head. It felt like the Oilers had full control of the game until a Jake Walman hook on Owen Tippett.

The Flyers went on the power play, and after a minute, Matvei Michkov (4) evened the call. Philly’s young winger made it three-straight games with a goal, with assists from Cam York (9) and Travis Konecny (9).

Not only did Michkov extend his goal streak to three, but Konecny made his point streak nine games, and York now has five points in his last four games.

Late-game Heartbreak

Both teams had a crack at taking the lead in the third period. Edmonton got an early-period power play after Noah Cates was called for a high stick on McDavid off the draw.

The Flyers’ penalty kill continued to hold strong and killed off another Oiler power play. Philadelphia would get its chance on the man-advantage after Trent Frederic was called for goalie interference. Dan Vladar got a roughing penalty on Mattias Janmark after the whistle, but Janmark got an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty to keep the Flyers’ power-play opportunity alive.

There were some good looks, but no shots were able to get past Stuart Skinner, and the game remained tied.

With time winding down, it looked like the Flyers took the 2-1 lead with 23.5 seconds remaining as Konecny redirected a Travis Sanheim shot, with Sean Couturier screening in front. However, after a quick review, the play was deemed offside, and the goal was wiped.

Once again, the Flyers went to overtime.

Philly held its own vs. the juggernaut 3v3 unit of McDavid, Draisaitl, and Bouchard, but could not score.

Looking to start a rush, Cam York turned the puck over at the blueline, leading to a two-on-none with Jack Roslovic and Matt Savoie. Savoie hit Roslovic with the cross-crease pass, and Roslovic buried the game-winner.

The Oilers overcame the Flyers’ late-game momentum shift and beat Philadelphia 2-1.

What’s Next for the Flyers

The Flyers will head back on the road when they take on the St. Louis Blues on Friday at 8:00 p.m. EST.

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