Denver Barkey Debut Shines in Flyers’ 5-4 Shootout Loss
Flyers fell 5-4 in a shootout to the Rangers after rookie forward Denver Barkey made a sensational debut, turning a 1-0 deficit into a 2-1 lead with two assists in the second period. The shootout ended with the Rangers scoring the final goal, giving them a 5-4 win.
Game Overview and Key Moments
Barkey, who was called up from the AHL affiliate Lehigh Valley on Friday, provided the spark that shifted momentum for Philadelphia, setting up Sanheim’s power-play equalizer and Tippett’s go-ahead marker. His two assists came in a rapid 23-second burst that turned a 1-0 deficit into a 2-1 advantage.
Less than four minutes into the game, Barkey drew a penalty, and the ensuing power play saw Trevor Zegras add a third goal for the Flyers, extending their lead to 3-1. The penalty drawn by Barkey set up a power play that saw Trevor Zegras add a third goal, pushing the Flyers to a 3-1 lead.
Despite nearly scoring his first goal in the opening minutes, Barkey was stopped by New York netminder Igor Shesterkin; he later lined up with Owen Tippett and Sean Couturier on a line that showcased his speed and hockey IQ. Barkey’s line with Tippett and Couturier was noted for its speed and playmaking.
General manager Danny Brier said, “He came in, he played extremely well,” adding, “I think the biggest things from the reports was his consistency. He was good night after night and has earned a look.”
The Flyers finished the road trip 1-1-2, posting a 17-10-7 record overall. General manager Danny Brier said, “We’re only just past a third of the way in, so there’s still lots of hockey to be played,” adding, “We saw last game, a little bit of a bump in the road in Buffalo, didn’t have our best game, it’s going to happen, there are going to be ups and downs. We’re trying to stay even-keeled as much as possible.” The Rangers improved to 18-16-4 and tightened their home record to 5-10-3.
Philadelphia had been shaken by a 5-3 defeat to the Buffalo Sabres the night before, yet they avoided consecutive regulation losses for the first time since November 1-2, a streak the team has only experienced once this season.
New York’s 18-16-4 standing saw the Rangers’ home performance sharpen, as they now sit at just 5-10-3 on the ice.
In the shootout, the Flyers’ power play stalled in overtime after 2:50 of play, while the Rangers’ power play in the third period produced a goal that tied the game with just 2:34 left in regulation. The Flyers’ power play stalled in overtime after 2:50 of play, while the Rangers’ power play in the third period produced a goal that tied the game with just 2:34 left in regulation.
Rick Tocchet’s club had a productive second period, scoring two power-play goals, an even-strength goal, and a shorthanded goal, yet the Flyers were unable to lock down a 4-2 advantage. The Flyers had a 4-2 lead in the third period, but it evaporated as the Rangers pulled ahead.
Mika Zibanejad’s power-play goal for New York tied the game, following a penalty on Rasmus Ristolainen for hitting the puck over the glass. Zibanejad’s goal tied the game, forcing a shootout that the Rangers ultimately won 5-4.
During the skills competition, Artemi Panarin and Vincent Trocheck scored for New York, while Trevor Zegras and Travis Konecny missed their attempts for the Flyers.
Flyers’ markers included Zegras, Travis Sanheim, Owen Tippett and Rodrigo Abols, with Abols’ tally coming on the penalty kill as the team held a one-goal lead.
Sanheim, who left the third period bloodied after a puck struck his face, returned to the ice later in the game, while the team’s defenseman was left with a bloodied face after a puck to the face.
Christian Dvorak, a key center for Philadelphia, was listed as day-to-day with a lower-body injury, and Brier said, “Just needs a few days.” The Flyers’ goalie, Samuel Ersson, suffered an upper-body injury that Brier called a “boo-boo.”
Ersson, who made 23 saves on 27 shots, was not sharp in the third period, allowing Trocheck to trick him and bring the score to 4-3.
Dan Vladar missed the game due to an upper-body injury, and Garnet Hathaway was a healthy scratch for the first time this season, a decision that left the roster thin. Rick Tocchet, who joined the Flyers from Vancouver, was part of the coaching staff, and the team will return home Monday for a matchup against the Canucks at 7:30 p.m. ET on NBCSP.
Key Takeaways
- Denver Barkey’s debut included two assists and a penalty that set up a Flyers goal.
- The Flyers lost 5-4 in a shootout after a 4-2 third-period lead evaporated.
- Injuries to Ersson, Vladar, and Dvorak keep the Flyers’ roster in flux.
Looking Ahead
Despite the loss, the Flyers remain optimistic about the young talent on their roster and are focused on maintaining momentum as they head into their next home game against Vancouver.
