PHILADELPHIA, Pa- Making their way back home after dropping all four games on the road, the Philadelphia Flyers welcomed the Chicago Blackhawks to the Wells Fargo Center Wednesday night.
Returning to Flyers ice for the first time since being traded on February 22nd, former Flyer Kimmo Timonen was emotional following morning skate, “It’s weird to be in this [visiting locker] room,” he said. “I’m really looking forward to tonight.”
Image by Lewis Bleiman
With new teammates by his side, Blackhawks’ Captain Jonathan Toews spoke highly of the NHL Veteran, “I think he’s definitely brought his experience, his leadership. We all knew he was a good guy in the locker room we’re happy to have him. He brings a lot of ability.”
“He’s going to get a standing ovation because he obviously deserves it,” Flyers forward Jakub Voracek said. “It’s good for him that he’s going to get a shot at the Stanley Cup for the person he is and he player he is.”
Before heading the Chicago, Timonen spent the last eight seasons with the Flyers. Announced earlier this month, 2014-2015 season will be the defenseman’s last.
Last meeting on October 21st in the Windy City, the Blackhawks shutout Steve Mason and the Flyers, 4-0.
Taking his stance between the pipes for Philadelphia, Mason looked on with Corey Crawford guarding Chicago’s net across ice.
Image by Lewis Bleiman
With introductions concluded and cheers for Timonen subsided, the contest was underway.
Beginning the rush into Chicago’s zone, the Flyers went to work. Scoring his 100th goal in a Flyers sweater and his 28th of season, Wayne Simmonds lit the lamp.
Midway through the first period, the Flyers organization presented a tribute to Kimmo Timonen on the jumbotron. With fans on their feet, cheers erupted for the former Flyer. Saluting the fans, Timonen waived on. Acknowledging their former and current teammate, both clubs tapped their sticks as Timonen returned to the bench.
As a quite 1st period came to a close, the Flyers held onto the 1-0 lead.
Coming out for the second period, the Flyers began to dominate.
Netting in his 5th goal of the season midway through the second period, Ryan White increased the lead 2-0.
Image by Lewis Bleiman
Continuing the scoring trend, the orange and black began to set up in the Blackhawks’ zone. Taking the shot on net, Voracek sent the puck flying. Deflecting the shot in front of Crawford, Claude Giroux found the puck on his stick. Scoring his 1st even strength goal on home ice this season, Giroux sent the puck in the back of the net.
With the second period winding down, the game remained without penalties.
Taking the ice for the final 20 minutes of play, the Blackhawks hoped to get on the score board.
Earning the first power play opportunity of the game with Carlo Colaiacovo in the box for hight sticking, Chicago had the advantage.
Slipping the puck past Mason just 14 seconds later, Andrew Shaw gave the Blackhawks the tally.
Dropping the gloves in front of Chicago’s bench, former Flyer Dan Carcillo and Pierre-Edouard Bellemare squared off. Cooling off in the penalty box, both looked on.
Image by Lewis Bleiman
Finding a seat next to Bellemare in the sin bin, Michael Del Zotto was found guilty of slashing. Unable to produce, the score remained 3-1.
Getting their first man advantage opportunity with Chicago guilty of too many men on the ice, the Flyers gained control. With ample chances, the Orange and black were unsuccessful.
With Toews charged with hooking, the Flyers were sent back on the power play. Wasting no time on the man advantage, Michael Raffl found the puck on his stick. Scoring his 19th goal, Raffl increased the lead 4-1.
As time expired, the Blackhawks could not recover.
Image by Lewis Bleiman
The Philadelphia Flyers took the 4-1 win over the Chicago Blackhawks.
“That was on of the coolest things as a player you can experience,” said Timonen. ” I just want to say thanks to the fans. It was awesome.” “I still tried to focus on the game, but it was really hard,” He added. “That was the last time I can play in front of great fans.”
Notching his 100th goal as a Flyer, Simmonds discussed his team’s efforts, “I think we were making smart decisions with the puck. One of the biggest things we talked about before the game was we have to be smart with the puck and to have smart puck management. We haven’t made too many turnovers in the neutral zone or trying to do anything fancy.”
When asked about Timonen’s tribue, Simmonds said, “It was kind of tear-jerking. Kimmo is an awesome player and he’s even a better person so that made it even better.”
Following Wednesday’s victory, Flyers GM Ron Hextall announced Andrew MacDonald and Simmonds will miss the remainder of the season due to injuries suffered late in the third period. Simmonds suffered an injury to the foot and MacDonald injured his shoulder after blocking a shot.
With the Flyers playoff life diminishing before their eyes, Hextall will not speak of offseason changes, “It’s a little premature,” he said. “We’re in the midst of the season right now and obviously along the way I have my thoughts, but we have some work to do to figure out where we need to improve and stuff. We are not there yet.” He continued, “I don’t believe our efforts has been an area where you could say we have a problem here in terms of flat-out-effort, I think consistency has been out biggest issue.”
What’s next to the Flyers? The San Jose Sharks are heading to Philadelphia Saturday afternoon for their final meeting of the season.
Puck drop between the San Jose Sharks and the Philadelphia Flyers is slated for 1 p.m.
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