The Flyers Lose the Battle of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia’s struggles continue. The Flyers lose the battle of Pennsylvania to their cross-state rivals, the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Flyers fall 5-1 in Pittsburgh. After the first period the Sidney Crosby Penguins dominated the game. The Flyers lose the battle of Pennsylvania. This is the first game the Flyers game under the interm GM Danny Briere. It also the second game of the Tony DeAngelo’s suspension.

To the Action

The Penguins strike early and fast. Almost form the blue line Rickard Rakell fires the puck to the back of the net at the 5:52 marker. Assists coming form Petterson and Granlund. It did not take much time for the Flyers to tie the game up. Newcomer Kieffer Bellows returns the favor from across ice. Assist coming from Justin Braun. Unfortunately that would be all the offense that Philly could muster. The Pennsylvania teams went entoer the second period tied at one.

Skate, snap, score, celly. #PHIvsPIT | @BellowsKieffer pic.twitter.com/UUv8UOK0Sy
— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) March 11, 2023

In the second period things get sloppy. Pittsburgh goes on the games first powerplay after Laughton gets caught tripping Letang. The Flyers survive this times. Unfortunte the next one was a much harder to survive. Philly heads back to the sin bin with a double minor with high stick from Tyson Foerster. Sydney Crosby capitalizes on the first half of the double minor. Assits came form Granlund and Letang. The Flyers kill the second half of the minor. Philly goes on their first powerplay when Tyson Foerster draws the penalty from Granlund. Pittsburgh is able to hang on and the period end 2-1 Penguins.

Last Nail in the Coffin

The penalties continued into the third period. Cam York gives the Pittsburgh the first penalty of the third. Pittsburgh makes two more trips All the penalties were killed. The game was a one score game until the about the last 5 minutes. Jason Zucker squeezes a goal through the five hole of Carter Hart making 3-1 Penguins. Another assist from Petterson and one form Malkin. Pittsburgh did not take their foot off gas. Flyers pull the goalie with about two minutes left in the game for the man advantage. Jake Guentzel knocks back an empty netter. Penguins put a nail in the coffin making it 4-1. They were not done yet. Granlund ripps one pass the glove hand of Carter Hart. The Penguins take the last five minutes to make sure the Flyers lose the battle of Pennsylvania.

How the Flyers Have Fallen

In the last last 12 games the Flyers versed the Penguins, Pittsburgh has a commanding lead 8-3-1. The previous match up ended the same way with 4-1 loss on November 25th 2022. They will meet for the last time for the 2023 season in April. Carter Hart stopped 27 of 31 shots on goal. DeSmith stopped 31 of 32 shots on goal.

Al Zaffiri

Al is one of the two co-creators of Edge of Philly Sports. Al started radio and podcasting in 2012 and covering sports in 2015. A lifelong Philly sports fan since watching the Eagles, Phillies, Sixers, and Flyers with his grandfathers at age 7. Al always looks at the other side of the hot topics and gives his different outlook on those topics. Web and Graphic Design.