Flyers Season End in Dud, But Still Have Philly’s Brightest Future
Game 7’s in Toronto are a real bitch.
— Life of a Philly Fan (@PhillyFanLife) September 6, 2020
That tweet couldn’t sum things up any better. In their biggest game since the 2010 Stanley Cup Finals, the Flyers rode their momentum from unlikely Game 5 & 6 wins into Game 7 against a highly nervous New York Islander team. With three overtime wins to force a Winner-Take-All game it felt like destiny that they were going to win and advance to the Conference Finals.
And then…dud.
Unlike last year’s Game 7 in Toronto that was decided by millimetres, the Flyers loss was at least quicker and not as painful. It was clear that all of their energy was used up in winning Game 5 & 6, both of which were exhausting overtime wins. Two first period goals scored by New York felt like an avalanche for the Flyers to overcome, and a third goal in the second all but ended the game, followed by a fourth in the third period to add insurance.
Traditional history says that Number 1 seeds being eliminated in the 2nd round of the playoffs is embarrassing (it’s still going to be embarrassing for the Milwaukee Bucks), but the Flyers 1-seed was earned after a dominant showing in the bubble, and they happen to run into an opponent that was an unfavorable match-up.
What’s also worth noting is that unlike the Sixers vs. Raptors Game 7 that turned out to their last chance at a title during a shockingly short contention window, the Flyers window of contention has just begun. And theirs nothing like a good playoff run for the up-and-coming stars to gain experience and earn some, lets say, grit. Despite the loss, the Flyers season ended on a high note thanks to the remarkable return of Oskar Lindblom, a sign of great things to come in the future. This postseason also proved that *gasp* they have a goalie! Carter Hart may not be Bernie Parent yet, but he went through the ringer in 13 playoff games and earned his stripes.
Besides, if the Flyers are going to end their near half-century Stanley Cup drought it needs to happen post-pandemic. Where they can hoist the cup in their own arena in front of a sea of Orange, and when the city can party in the streets like it’s 2018.
Checking the pulse in Philly sports it looks like the Phillies are bouncing back, the Eagles always a question mark with injuries and draft busts, the Sixers are already on the downswing, and the Flyers are on the ascent. Thus Philly’s hockey team has it’s best chance yet to become the top squad in the city.