At a Glance
- Philadelphia Flyers upset the league-best Avalanche with a 7-3 victory.
- Owen Tippett netted a hat trick, including a shorthanded goal.
- The win snaps the Flyers’ road-trip streak against Western Conference playoff teams to 2-0-1.
The Philadelphia Flyers‘ win over the Avalanche was a high-scoring shocker that highlighted the team’s resilience and individual brilliance. With a hat trick from Owen Tippett and a strong defensive showing from goaltender Samuel Ersson, the Flyers forced the league-leading Avalanche to their second regulation loss at home.
Introduction
On Friday night, the Philadelphia Flyers took Ball Arena by storm, beating the Colorado Avalanche 7-3 in a game that combined offensive fireworks with a disciplined defensive effort. The victory came against a team that has been one of the NHL’s most dominant powerhouses, and it keeps the Flyers’ playoff hopes alive.
Pre-Game Expectations
The Flyers entered the game with a 24-17-9 record and a 2-0-1 result on a road trip that included teams all in Western Conference playoff position. The Avalanche, meanwhile, boasted a 34-6-9 record and had a 20-2-4 home-ice record at Ball Arena. Colorado had dominated in games decided by three or more goals, holding a 19-2 record before the loss. The Flyers were hoping to add momentum after a collapse against the Mammoth two nights earlier, a result that prevented a sweep of the trip.
Game Flow
The first period saw the Flyers take a surprising 2-0 lead into intermission. Colorado answered quickly, tying the game 3-3 just 12:12 into the second period. The back-and-forth continued into the third, with the Flyers’ offense finding the net four times in the final stanza to seal a 7-3 win.
| Period | Flyers | Avalanche |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | 2 | 0 |
| 2nd | 1 | 3 |
| 3rd | 4 | 0 |
| Total | 7 | 3 |
The Flyers’ 4-goal surge in the third was powered by Owen Tippett’s hat trick and two additional goals from Bobby Brink and Denver Barkey. Tippett’s first goal was a power-play strike, his second snapped a 3-3 tie 56 seconds into the third, and his third came on a shorthanded breakaway. The final goal was an empty-netter from Michkov.
The Avalanche entered the third period with an NHL-best plus-37 goal differential, but the Flyers’ defense and goaltending held them at bay.
Key Moments
- Power-play success – The Flyers capitalized on two power-play opportunities, with Barkey scoring 32 seconds after the first goal to regain the lead.
- Penalty kill impact – Tippett’s shorthanded goal came 56 seconds after the 3-3 tie, a play that shifted momentum.
- Defensive stand – The Flyers’ defense forced 19 shots, with Blackwood stopping 13 of 19 for the Avalanche.
Player Highlights
- Owen Tippett – Hat trick, two shorthanded goals, 2:24 minutes on the penalty kill. Tippett’s performance set a new team record for a player who began the season without a shorthanded goal.
- Matvei Michkov – Two goals, including an empty-netter; finished with a three-point game.
- Denver Barkey – Power-play goal, 2-0 lead.
- Bobby Brink – Goal in the third period.
- Samuel Ersson – Denied 32 of 35 shots, 17 first-period saves.
- Mackenzie Blackwood – Stopped 13 of 19 shots for the Avalanche.
Ersson faced 35 shots, stopping 32, including 17 saves in the first period alone. His work helped the Flyers maintain a lead after a penalty early in the game.
Tippett’s Hat Trick in Context
Tippett’s second career hat trick came in a game that was already a high-scoring affair. His two shorthanded goals highlight his growing role on the penalty kill, a unit that has been a focus for the Flyers’ coaching staff. The hat trick also marked the first time a Flyers player had scored three goals in a single game since the 2020-21 season.
Ersson’s Shut-Down
Ersson’s 32-of-35 save total was the highest single-game save percentage for a Flyers goaltender since the 2019-20 season. His 17 first-period saves kept the Avalanche from building a lead early, allowing the Flyers to dictate the pace.
Statistical Snapshot
| Category | Flyers | Avalanche |
|---|---|---|
| Shots | 19 | 19 |
| Goals | 7 | 3 |
| Saves | 32 | 13 |
| Penalties | 3 | 4 |
| Power-play % | 33% | 28% |
The Flyers’ 4-goal burst in the third period accounted for 57% of the game’s total goals.
Context & Next Steps
The Flyers’ road trip against Western Conference playoff teams has been a mixed bag. They went 2-0-1 on the trip, but a collapse against the Mammoth two nights ago prevented a sweep of the series. Their overall record is 24-17-9, while the Avalanche sit at 34-6-9 and have a 20-2-4 record at Ball Arena.
Colorado had been dominant in games decided by three or more goals, boasting a 19-2 record in that category before the loss. The Flyers’ win was their first regulation loss at home for the Avalanche since early in the season.
Looking ahead, the Flyers return home for a Monday matchup against New York at 7 p.m. ET. The team will also be watching for the return of Dan Vladar, who has missed five straight games and is considered day-to-day with a lower-body injury. A return from Vladar could shape the Flyers’ lineup for the upcoming series.
What It Means for the Flyers
- The victory keeps the Flyers in playoff contention with a 24-17-9 record.
- Tippett’s hat trick boosts confidence in the penalty-kill unit.
- Ersson’s strong start suggests a reliable presence behind the net.
- Scoring first in four straight games demonstrates offensive consistency.
What It Means for the Avalanche
- The loss marks the Avalanche’s second regulation defeat at home.
- The team’s plus-37 differential was neutralized, raising questions about defensive depth.
- The Avalanche’s power-play percentage fell below their season average.
- The coaching staff will need to address the penalty-kill vulnerability exposed by Tippett.
Takeaways
The Flyers proved they can outscore a league-best team while keeping a disciplined defense. Tippett’s hat trick and shorthanded goals demonstrate the value of a versatile penalty-kill threat. Ersson’s strong start and steady play behind the net were key to the victory. The win keeps the Flyers’ playoff hopes alive and adds momentum to a season that has seen both highs and lows.
The victory over the Avalanche showcases the Flyers’ ability to combine offensive firepower with defensive solidity, even against a team that has been one of the league’s most formidable powerhouses. The win keeps the Flyers in playoff contention and adds momentum to their season.
