Classic Post: An Interview With Philadelphia Flyers’ Legend Bernie Parent

The emergence of Carter Hart as a solid goalie provides the Philadelphia Flyers with a key building block. The top goaltender in franchise history and National Hockey League Hall of Famer, Bernie Parent, was central to the team's back-to-back Stanley Cup championships. 

Here's another look at an interview I conducted with him...

Spending a few hours with Philadelphia Flyers' legend Bernie Parent was well worth the trip to his office in New Jersey. Here's a full replay of an online feature that originally premiered in the fall of 2010...

“Today, my philosophy has changed tremendously. Everything comes from what you think about. Whatever you are thinking, you are going to attract. When you are happy, good things will come to you, ” Bernard Marcel Parent.

A week prior to his participation in the Spectrum's demolition ceremonies, I had the chance to discuss hockey, business, and philosophy with Bernie Parent. In doing so, I learned about the man who was a steady rock on those Flyers 1970's Stanley Cup teams. The former goaltender's candor and warm demeanor revealed how he has transitioned from a Hall of Fame sports career to life after the game.

“The last time I was in the Spectrum, I went down to the floor and stood where the holes for the net used to be. I was there for about 10 to15 minutes looking at the whole building. I relived the memories one last time. It was a beautiful thing,” Parent said.

Parent, who will be honored by the Flyers on December 8^th at “Bernie Parent night”, has remained a member of the Flyers' family, serving as an ambassador for the team.

New book to be released

He also is the author of a forthcoming book, My Journey Through Fear and Risk, which was developed through his experiences, conversations, and motivational speeches that he has given since his playing career ended. The book will be available to corporations, schools, non-profits, and individuals. In it, he discusses life after hockey and how each person can develop a proper philosophy. It also contains a menu of 15 topics to select from which facilitates Parent's in-person presentations.

In addition to authoring a book, he has continued to represent a number of different corporations, and make public relations appearances around the country and in Canada.

Business requests can be made through his manager, Dean Smith, who can be contacted at: 856-988-0001 and through Parent's website.

“When I talk with people, I tell them to find out what their purpose is. They need to find what they love to do and dedicate their lives to it. That's when you get involved in fear and risk. You may have to change everything in your life, but risk is a beautiful thing. That is when things happen. All successful people have taken risks,” Parent said.

Learning from the master

Parent's hockey career was partly inspired by Hall of Fame goaltender Jacques Plante, whose sister lived aside of his family home.

“I was a shy kid, so when Plante would come to visit his sister I would always watch him. I can see in my mind exactly what his sister's house looked like, how he got out of his car, stood in front of the house smoking a cigar, and how he walked up the steps,” Parent fondly recalled.

“My goal as a little leaguer was to get to the National Hockey League and then to win the Stanley Cup. When I was a kid I might have had 200 people telling me that I wasn't going to make it. They said I

wasn't big enough, or strong enough. But, when you have passion and are good enough, the obstacles fade away,” Parent said.

After playing in the junior leagues for the Niagara Falls Flyers, he was drafted by the Boston Bruins in the mid-1960's. Later he was selected in the 1967 NHL expansion draft by the Flyers and played in Philadelphia until he was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs in 1971. Their starting goalie at the time was none other than Jacques Plante.

“When I was traded to Toronto, I had some doubts at first. That was a low point in my career because I wasn't looking at the right side of the coin. I was thinking about the Flyers not wanting me, rather than the fact that the Leaf's did want me. Plus, the person who I admired as a child, Plante, was their goalie. I learned a great lesson from that whole experience,” Parent said.

“I was there (in Toronto) for two years. I watched Plante play from the bench. He was incredible! You don't want to copy someone, but take what they have an add it to your own style. So, one day, I said to him, 'Jacques, can you teach me?', Parent said.

In 1972, Parent took a risk and jumped to a rival league called the World Hockey Association. While playing for the Philadelphia Blazers during that 1972-73 season, he faced an average of 55 shots per game, but used that as an opportunity to apply what he had learned from Plante. When the Blazers moved to Vancouver at season's end, he decided to go back to the NHL. Toronto then traded his rights to the Flyers.

Fred Shero

Newspapers heralded his return as a move that could help the team to win the Cup in 1973-74.

“The first time I met Fred Shero he came up to me and said that he believed in team work, but didn't know anything about goaltending, so I was on my own. As soon as he said that, I knew I had the right coach,” Parent recalled.

“I got a standing ovation when I stepped onto the ice at the Spectrum during our first pre-season game that year. But, ten minutes into the game, the Rangers had scored eight goals against me. I heard a lot of boos and Freddy (Shero) pulled me out. That was my reintroduction to the city. But, when you think you have hit your lowest moments, it doesn't mean it's over. You are just being sent in a different direction,” Parent said.

A few weeks after that Rangers game, Shero had Parent start in goal for the regular season opener against Toronto. He shut them out 2-0. As we know, the Broad Street Bullies went on to famously win their first Stanley Cup that season and have “walked together forever”, just as Shero's locker room chalkboard message had encouraged them to do.

Parent earned many awards after his return to Philadelphia, including winning both the Vezina (an award given annually to the league's best goalie) and the Conn Smythe (an award given annually to the league's best playoff performance) trophies in 1973-74 and 1974-75.

Post-hockey career

A five-time All-Star, he was the toast of the town in the 1970's, adding another Cup win in 1974-75. But, after a career-ending eye injury against the Rangers, in 1979, his life changed dramatically.

“After retirement, the problem is that you can't perform in front of large crowds anymore. That is the biggest adjustment that you have to make. Money is separate adjustment,” Parent said.

He joined a self-help program that he credits with turning his life around.

“In your greatest despair, you can have your greatest victory. As long as I was the hockey player, I had a purpose. Once that stopped, that purpose was gone. I went in circles. I wasn't happy and I hung around people who had a similar outlook. I have learned that you become what you attract. So, I like to share what I went through because I want to help people to learn through my experiences,” Parent said.

During that time period he also was a goaltending coach and scout for the Flyers. Neil Little, drafted on Parent's recommendation, went on to win two Calder Cups for the Flyers AHL affiliate and today is the Flyers worldwide goalie scout.

In 1998, he was willing to let a doctor perform a new procedure on his damaged right eye. The procedure worked, restoring his vision to 20/20.

Pelle Lindbergh

Thomas Tynander and Bill Meltzer's book Behind the White Mask, contains a sharply detailed description of Lindbergh's life, career, and the father-son type relationship that he had with Parent. We discussed the book and his remembrances of Lindbergh.

“Pelle was here on Earth for a brief moment that was cut a little bit short. We are spiritual people and

I believe that when someone passes away they move onto a new place in their eternal life,” Parent reflected.

During the 1981-82 season, Lindbergh was struggling. When he was sent to the Flyers minor league team in Maine, Parent suggested that he go with him. Through his guidance, Lindbergh returned to the Flyers during that season. He went on to win the Vezina trophy in 1984-85, which Parent presented to him at the awards ceremony.

“I opened the envelope and his name was listed as the winner. He came up on stage and gave me hug. It was a big moment,” Parent fondly recalled.

“I was very grateful that I was a part of his life. A paradigm was passed from Plante, the master, to me and then I passed what I had learned on to Pelle. He had a lot of good qualities that could benefit us today,” Parent said of his former protege.

Recent pursuits

He has remained an avid hunter, fisherman, and golfer. He values family greatly, having two sons, a daughter, and six grandchildren.

“It is a different phase that I'm going into now. I love children. When you watch a child, you are seeing happiness. Watch them for a half of an hour and you will learn a lot,” Parent said.

A few years ago one of Parent's sons gave him a popular DVD. He credits what he learned from it (along with it's related book) as helping him to gain a deeper understanding of life.

“The Secret helped me to see that we attract good and the bad things in life by how we think. When you have a positive view of life, good things happen to you. The greatest power on Earth is the power to choose. Once you understand the process, you can create anything that you want,” Parent said.

Ed Snider

“I believe that he is one of the best owners in professional sports and has built his own economy. He is wise enough to realize that he needs a team. He is involved with his company, but allows people to have confidence in themselves and lets his team perform. Back in 1967-68 (the team's first year) he was sitting at the kitchen table with his wife, trying to determine how they would meet payroll. Now, he is one of the most successful individuals in the Delaware Valley,” Parent said.

Flyers 2010-2011

“I think this team has the whole package. They have a great coach (Peter Laviolette) who I really like. They have great forwards and great defenseman. They also have three good goalies, who understand the game. It's exciting because the Flyers have their deepest team in a long time. They aren't hoping to win, they know they can win. If they stay healthy, they have a good chance to win the whole thing,” Parent enthusiastically said.

Packs

“I consider myself to be a wolf, because I like the freedom of choice. Choice is very, very important to me. A wolf works in packs. So, everyone doesn't have to be like me, because people all have different talents,” Parent said.

He has employed the same strategy in his current pursuits that he did when he studied Plante's goaltending techniques. He studied successful business people for five years, so that he could begin to build his own business pack.

Parent concluded by saying, “Material possessions, like us, will come and go. I am grateful for what I have been able to attract. Life is a wonderful journey.”

Postscript

Growing up in the 1970's, I was naturally a Flyers fan and spent many great days playing street hockey with cousins and elementary school friends. My uncle created cool foam goalie pads that my cousin wore during our games in his garage. Every Sunday, while my Mom was making dinner, I would put my Bernie-style mask on and fend off shots from my Dad in our own basement rink.

After completing the interview, I began my journey back through the roads that I had traveled on a few hours earlier. As I did so, I could see in my memories that we all wanted to be who Bernie was back then. I also knew that I had just spoken with someone who enjoys being who he is today.

(Thank you to Dan Morroni, who is a custom tailor in the Philadelphia region.)
(My interview was initially provided to philly2philly.com.)

Behind the Hockey Scenes: Philadelphia Flyers vs. Columbus Blue Jackets

Behind the Hockey Scenes: Philadelphia Flyers vs. Columbus Blue Jackets

December 20, 2022 – Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia

(Photo - Sean O'Brien)

Introductions

Philadelphia (10-15-7, 27 points) sits just ahead of the bottom team, Columbus (10-19-2, 22 points) in the Metropolitan division of the National Hockey League's Eastern Conference. The Flyers and Blue Jackets are just ahead of the Anaheim Ducks (21 points) and Chicago Blackhawks (18 points) with the lowest point totals in the NHL.

Like Brad Larsen's squad, John Tortorella's team has been impacted by many injuries. Last summer's debate about Johnny Gaudreau led to him signing with Columbus in July. He leads his team with 33 points (10 goals and 23 assists).

Columbus leads the four-game season series with one regulation and one overtime win.

The Flyers lost 6-3 to the New York Rangers at home on Saturday night. The Blue Jackets lost 2-1 at home to the Dallas Stars last night.

Anthem - Lauren Hart - Her voice and love for the game and the fans, like that of her iconic father and Flyers' broadcaster, Gene Hart, resonates in the listener's soul.

First period

Starting goaltenders – Philadelphia – Carter Hart, Columbus – Daniil Tarasov

Wade Allison, Kevin Hayes, and Zack MacEwen returned to the Flyers' lineup.

No sustained pressure on either side through the first half of the period.

First power play went to the Jackets due to Rasmus Ristolainen with at 12:58 left in the frame. However, Travis Konecny scored a shorty (thirteenth overall goal) at 13:58 remaining to give the Flyers the first tally. Assist to Scott Laughton)

Shots: Philadelphia - 13 Columbus - 8

Score: Philadelphia - 1 Columbus - 0

Intermission – Mites On Ice, with Peanuts Christmas music equaled a crowd-pleaser.

Second period

Kirill Marchenko scored (third goal) at 5:58 into the frame. Assists to Jake Christensen and Eric Robinson.

Kent Johnson (eighth goal) put a wrister over Hart's left shoulder at 8:41 to give the Jackets a 2-1 lead. Assist to Gaudreau.

Moran Frost (sixth goal) took a pass from Cam York and snapped a wicked wrist shot past Tarasov at 10:04 to tie the game. Assists York and James van Riemsdyk.

Owen Tippett (ninth goal) worked a nifty give-an-go with Joel Farabee to the right of Tarasov on a power play to give the Flyers a 3-2 lead at 14:18.

The growth of the younger players on the roster was on display at points in this period. As Tortorella has often said, this season is about seeing what they have.

Shots: Philadelphia - 13 Columbus - 12

Score: Philadelphia - 3 Columbus - 2

Intermission – More Mites

(Photo - Sean O'Brien)

Third period

Konecny, who had that Christmas pep in his step tonight, weaved into the offensive zone and threaded a backhanded wrister over the left shoulder of Tarasov to give the Flyers a 4-2 lead at 2:45. His second goal of the night and fourteenth of the season was unassisted.

Andrew Peeke (third goal) quickly entered the zone and snapped a strong wrist shot over Hart's left shoulder to close the gap to one goal at 11:11. Assists to Jack Roslovic and Gustav Nyquist.

Columbus pulled the goalie with approximately two minutes to go. But Tippett (tenth) netted an empty-netter to seal the game. His second of the night, unassisted at 18:41 to give Philadelphia a 5-3 victory. 

Shots: Philadelphia - 13 Columbus - 13

Final Shots: Philadelphia 39 - Columbus - 33 

(Photo - Sean O'Brien)

Per the Flyers media relations department:

Philadelphia Flyers Head Coach John Tortorella

 

How much of a factor was it for you guys to come back in that second period? They started to get some momentum on their side, you guys answered back and take it back, but how key was that for you guys?

Are you asking me if that was a key time? When we went down 2-1? Yeah, when we answered, tied it, and then scored another one – Tip’s goal – it just swings the momentum. Didn’t give. We give up some goals. We give up a lead, but we didn’t give. We crawled back in it and found a way.

 

Was Carter okay at the end? It looked like he was slow getting up.

I didn’t notice anything. I just left the bench. I did not see. No one’s told me anything.

 

This morning we talked about the power play and how the main focus for those guys was the entries, just getting into the zone. That unit didn’t end up with a goal on the power play – I believe it was Tippett’s goal at the end – but what did you see there, them being able to keep the puck in even after the power play ended?

We still struggle on the entry. It’s at a very dangerous area right at the blue line. I thought Tip has a good game as far as retrieving pucks and battling for pucks. I didn’t even see the goal, so I can’t even comment on it. Everybody stood up, so I couldn’t even see it. It’s a work in progress as far as our power play, especially the entry part.

 

You’ve talked a lot the last few weeks about the fact that you’re building something here. A game like this where you have a lot of the 25 and younger guys step up – TK, Tippett, Frost, Cam – does that make you excited for what this could be down the road?

As hard as it’s been to eat all the losses – for coaches, it’s hard – they’re the ones that play. I can imagine how they feel. There have been some good things going on as far as development, as far as individual players, and also our team concept. You got to hang your hat on somewhere or you’ll lose your mind. Those are the things we’re trying. We’re trying a little “small victories” as far as where we’re coming as individuals. I’ve seen players get better each game. I’ve seen our backend get better. Cam York – minor leagues worked. Lappy and those guys, that whole situation that you guys were pissing and moaning about when we sent him down – worked. Cam comes up and is trying to make a difference. Those are the things we’re trying just to build on and hopefully – 50 plus games here – hopefully we just get some consistency and maybe some results.

 

With Konecny, has he entered the point where you trust him in any situation – power play, shorthanded, up a goal, down a goal?

You see how I use him, so I trust him. I’m always looking for him. He does some crazy stuff at times. We need to work with situational play with him, but you’ve got to be really careful of how – he’s just a reaction type player – you got to be really careful how you coach him because I need to let him go. Teach him a couple things along the way, but I need to let him go because that’s when he’s at his best.

 

Have you seen the positive progression in the areas you need him to be better in?

Yeah, I think he’s cognizant – at least he tells me that before he goes out on the next shift. He’s a bundle of energy and I love that about him. With a bundle of energy, there’s going to be some crazy stuff that happens. I don’t want to overcoach him. When we get to being a team that is competing in big games, playoffs and all that, when we get there as a team, hopefully at that time, he’ll lead the way as far as situational play. He’s still a pretty young man in this game. I’m hoping he leads the way as far as understanding some of those things when you’re in those key type of situations.

 

What did you think of Wade Allison’s game? I think he missed about six weeks, and what did you think of Hayes’ game tonight too?

I’m not giving up Hayesy’s game. I’m not going to have the Kevin Hayes update. You guys are trying to pit him against me and me against him, which is so ludicrous. So, I’m not giving you any update on Kevin Hayes. Ally, straight ahead, had some good bangs. I think he probably played ten minutes. I can give you a better assessment when I watch the tape.

 

Going back to Konecny, he scored the first shorthanded goal of his career tonight. You’ve had him paired up with Scott Laughton on the penalty kill. What have you liked about that duo, not just from a penalty killing standpoint but also their ability to try to create some offense?

I don’t think he’s killed here before. At least that’s what he’s told me, which is shocking. I’m not criticizing the prior coaching staffs, but I just think he’s so good. I had Cam for six years. Him and Cam are very similar – they anticipate so very well as a penalty killer. That’s why they end up with scoring chances in those types of situations. Willing to block shots, their quickness to pucks – listen, he’s a key guy. As I said, I look for him in every situation and deservedly so.

 

You talked about how Cam York, since he’s come back up, he’s trying to make a difference. Are you kind of seeing the same thing with Morgan Frost, especially over these last few games?

Yeah, he’s growing. He scores another goal tonight. I think we put that line together and I think James has kind of steadied those two kids. I watch him tonight. I see him carry the puck more instead of just getting rid of it. I think the big part of his game is carrying the puck, bringing people to him, so he can make plays. For a big part of this season, he was just getting rid of the puck. I think he feels more confident. When you start getting some points and you score a couple goals with those offensive guys, that’s what happens. This is a big time for his career. He has a chance to show or not show. He’s going to get the opportunity throughout the rest of this year and I think he’s trying to cease it here.

 

We talked a lot about positives at times in losses and how that’s important to focus on, but you have two wins in your last three games. Is it still important to get results throughout this process?

Everybody wants results. You can’t minimize that. We always are preparing to win a hockey game. Players, that’s all they want to do is win. I have to, as the head coach of the team, understand some of the situations that some guys are in and where maybe we get overwhelmed at times. I got to make sure I keep patience as we’re building. Because we’re building. As you’re building, when you approach each and every game, you want to win. It’s my job and my coaching staff’s job to make sure we handle ourselves the right way. Players just want to play and win. We have to control circumstances and how we coach them when we’re not getting the results.

Behind the hockey scenes: Philadelphia Flyers vs. Ottawa Senators and The Road Ahead

 

Behind the hockey scenes: Philadelphia Flyers vs. Ottawa Senators and The Road Ahead

Introductions

Well, it wasn't the goaltending this season...

The last game of the regular season, held in late April, due to the stretched schedule.

Philadelphia (25-45-11, 61 points) verses Ottawa (32-42-7, 71 points) in both teams final contest of the 2021-22 season.

The coming off-season starts immediately after the horn sounds. Buzz regarding the fates of numerous players, head coach, coaching staff, along with various other staff members exists. General Manager Chuck Fletcher created what appeared to be an improved team heading into the start of this season. However, thinness in various areas and questions about goaltending abounded.

The in-season dismissal of head coach Alain Vigneault was followed by one of Fletcher's past go-to guys, assistant coach Mike Yeo, being given the helm. Yeo's task was immensely steep. Any fair assessment, considering the volume of man-games lost due to injuries, lesser than expected performances, trades, including that of Claude Giroux, would have to give Yeo a pass.

Yeo is not expected to be elevated to head coach but seems worthy of another spot in the organization. His honest and accurate assessments of players was and can remain valuable. Yeo is the proverbial, good hockey guy.

As for Fletcher – His status is tied to whatever level of patience Chairman and CEO Dave Scott may have. A presser featuring both men projected a contrast between Scott believing that the team would be back as of next season, implying a playoff contender. Fletcher's highlight of building best through the draft implied that 2022-23 would not be one to count on as a certain playoff return.

If what Scott saw after that presser though the season's end meets Fletcher's expectations, he should be allowed to continue. Danny Briere was firmly positioned as Fletcher's protege and potential successor this season as well, which is intriguing on various levels.

Season-ending team awards were announced prior to the start of the game.

Cam Atkinson - Bobby Clarke Trophy (team MVP. voted by a local media panel)

Travis Sandheim - Barry Ashbee Trophy (best defenseman, voted by a local media panel)

Travis Sandheim - Pelle Lindbergh Memorial Trophy (most improved player over the current season, voted by the Flyers players)

Zack MacEwen - Gene Hart Memorial Award (Player with the most "heart", strongest work ethic and unwavering dedication. voted by the Flyers Fan Club)

Cam Atkinson - Yanick Dupre Memorial Award (formerly the "Class Guy" award, the honor goes to a Flyers player who exhibits consistent professionalism and rapport with the media, voted by the members of the Philadelphia chapter of the Professional Hockey Writers Association)

Carter Hart - Toyota Cup (player with the most three-star selection points; 5 per each first-star selection, 3 for each second-star honor and one point each time he's selected as the third star).

Lauren Hart – then, now, forever – no one better.

Lou Nolan – on the call at his rightful center ice position.

First period

Martin Jones got the final start, as expected. He paired well with Carter Hart this season, reestablishing himself as a solid veteran. Depending on the interest of the team and Jones, if the money is right, he could return next season.

A solid team effort to prevent a goal inside the crease, with multiple Flyers helping to keep the puck out of the net during a Sandheim penalty toward the half-way point of the period.

Flyers get the first score at 18:31 into the frame on the powerplay. James van Riemsdyk with a nifty between his legs shot. He overtook Atkinson to become the team goal-leader with that play.

Assists Owen Tippett and Ivan Provorov.

Shots: Philadelphia 11 - Ottawa 11

Score: Ottawa 0 - Philadelphia 1

Intermission – Yes, the Mites On Ice. Another evergreen crowd-pleaser.

Second period

MacEwen penalty resulted in a Kevin Hayes chance at the Sens net during the early part of Ottawa's powerplay. No goals were scored during this disadvantage.

Egor Zamula roughing penalty with approximately 12 minutes to go in the period gave the Sens another man advantage. Another clean penalty kill.

The flow of this game feels like a season-ender so far. But the players are giving a decent effort that they know is their last game for many months.

Ottawa scored at 11:51 to tie the game. A turnover by Provorov behind Jones' left shoulder led to a takeaway by Brady Tkachuk and a tap in by Josh Norris. Those productive offensive players can not be allowed that type of chance on a high-scoring percentage situation.

Shots: Philadelphia 6 - Ottawa 13

Score: Ottawa 1- Philadelphia 1

Third period

Travis Hamonic scores at 1:56 into the third. Ottawa assists to Alex Formenton and Thomas Chabot.

Watching Keith Yandle, who is the National Hockey League's reigning Iron Man. The guy gives all he has left to give. It is easy to see why he is respected across the League. (His plus/minus number this season is also understood, based on all factors, which includes the wear and tear and this team's overall defensive challenges.)

A power play with just under 10 minutes to go gave the home team a chance to tie the game. And then another aggression penalty, spurned by Travis Konecny channeling Ken Linesman gave the Flyers a five on three advantage.

Tippet blasted a laser over Anton Forsberg's left shoulder to tie the game at 12:33. Assists to Provorov and Morgan Frost.

Flyers hooking penalty (Linus Hogberg) with at 15:13 to go gave the Sens an unwanted, late advantage.

Tkachuck scored on a wrister over Jones' left shoulder at 16:38. A hard goal to give up after the comeback, which was a rare bird during this season for Philadelphia.

Austin Watson's empty-netter at 18:15 iced the game.

Shots: Philadelphia 17 - Ottawa 12

Final shot totals: Philadelphia 34 - Ottawa 36

Score: Ottawa 4 - Philadelphia 2

After the horn sounded

Some players took off the orange jersey for the final time today. Such is the business of hockey.

The Flyers last won the Stanley Cup in the spring of 1975. They beat the Buffalo Sabres to claim back-to-back titles and won the hearts of fans for generations. This franchise last appeared in the Cup Final in 2010, lost its founder and one of the great forces in National Hockey League history in 2016, and has been attempting to meet his standard of excellence since.

The road ahead is not easy and could take a handful of years. What this franchise needs to achieve is steady progress. Fletcher arguably deserves more time to do so.

On a personal note, as consistently stated in the past, the media staff is first-class, always providing me with access and anything that I need when covering games. Treating a freelancer like me with respect, dating back to when I first started covering the team in 2011, is appreciated.

Yandle took the last puck of the game, shook hands with the Sens coaches and players, and was hugged by his teammates, leaving the ice last. That, along with him leading the pregame stretch and announcing the starting lineup in the locker room implies that today was his last game of his career. 

Full transcripts per the Flyers media department at the postgame presser I attended: 

Philadelphia Flyers Interim Head Coach Mike Yeo

 Does the loss capture how the year has gone this year?

It’s amazing. Yeah, it just sort of sums it up doesn’t it? How many times have we had games similar to that. You battle and you scratch and claw, power play gets on the board, scores a big goal for us, and then find a way to let it slip away at the end. Yeah it’s disappointing.

We talked about late game situations, we talked about habits this morning, why do you think this team throughout the year could never really figure it out?

It’s obviously something that’s got to be corrected. Winning hockey games and understanding that every play can make a difference in the hockey game. Two of the goals that they scored tonight came from an offensive zone situation that we have to learn and recognize how important, how critical those areas are. You look at a number of the goals we’ve given up this year, a lot of them we have the puck on our stick at that particular time so a sense of awareness, game management, clock management, also taking what the other team’s giving you, but just sort of the idea that you have to really have the urgency in those situations to not lose the puck. Taking care of the puck is everything in this game. You can defend all you want but if you turn pucks over you’re going to give the other team momentum. I think we saw that in that second period with us tonight. The things we were doing well in the first period we stopped doing in the second and because of that we lose offense, because of that the other team gets momentum. The other team gets scoring opportunities. 

Something that you did figure out was you had two power play goals, you had a 5-on-3 which is a first, what was looking different tonight?

The power play’s hot. Those guys went out and did a good job. Frosty was a big faceoff for us on the 5-on-3. It’s amazing how many opportunities Tippett’s had lately that haven’t been going in so I’m glad that he got rewarded with that and I like the mindset of it to be honest with you, it’s one pass and it’s just a one-timer, we’re hard at the net and obviously that first goal was a real nice play as well. 

What do you try to convey to the team?

I think first we’ve got to learn. Motivation is not going to be an issue heading into next year, but tonight is not the time for that big message. Had a couple days here to make sure we really have an opportunity to really sit down with the group and sort of make it very clear as far as what the expectations are going forward. Big picture of what we have to become.

Mike you mentioned that the good things you were doing in the first period did not carry over to the second period, why has consistency from period to period been such an issue?

A big part of it is execution. You’re talking about the second period, you’ve got the long change, a great deal of it you see at certain points through the game that there’s plays that are made that are bouncing off our stick and situations where you have to bear down and those opportunities. I also think that it’s again, one area that this group can grow is a willingness to grind more offensively. Quite often I feel like we just want to get the puck and skate though everybody. So the awareness to recognize what the other team is giving you and what they’re taking away in those situations and too many times in that second period we were trying to skate through when we had no speed and turning pucks over. So we’ve got to be willing in those situations to have better speed support, better skating barriers that use a little more indirect plays with the puck to set up our offensive zone play, and we didn’t get enough of that in the second. 

Philadelphia Flyers G Martin Jones

What happened on that scramble play in the first period? Looked like it hit you twice? Can you walk us through that sequence?

One-timer off the flank. It just hit my stick and kind of kicked to the middle. Just scramble mode at that point. Hoggy made a big block, bought me some time, I was able to get back and get the next one.

How much did you guys want to go out with a solid performance for the fans who have been through a very tough year with you guys?

Yep. Would liked to have win that one.

Where do you feel like you fell short there?

I thought we played alright tonight. PK was good. Tough to give up that power play goal late. It’s the way it’s gone for us this year. It’s been tough. But I thought we played alright tonight, we battled hard. 

Philadelphia Flyers RW Owen Tippett

How did it feel to break through and score?

Obviously the last couple of games I’ve feel like I’ve gotten the chances, so like you said, it’s nice to get one and to break through.

When we spoke to Mike Yeo he said he liked the mentality of the goal, not just the goal itself, how much of that do you bring, that one-timer get the puck on the net mentality to your game?

I think it was just right off the faceoff we knew we didn’t have much time left on the 5-on-3 and we wanted to get something to the net as quick as possible and Provy made a nice pass over and I think it bounced off one of their guys and found the way. 

At the end of the day how do you evaluate it with your time in Florida?

I think I started to find my game. With opportunity, comes confidence, and when you play with confidence you start holding on to the puck more and making those plays and I feel like I was getting solid chances each and every game. I like where my game finished.

 Philadelphia Flyers LW James van Riemsdyk

The power play’s been such an issue for you guys this season, to get two on tonight I know it's the end of the season but that’s gotta at least give you guys a pretty decent feeling coming out of the night that you at least get something out of it.

Overall it's never a good thing to finish last in a category like that, especially an important one like that. It’s a big difference if your power play’s in the top 10 vs. dead last and who knows how that can affect our season. I don’t know how to fully analyze it. I guess I need to collect my thoughts about that. I don’t know, obviously tonight we executed things and kinda took what they gave us and were able to get two.

James, why do you think that it has been a problem all year closing out games and avoiding those back breaking goals late in the third periods?

I don’t know. That’s obviously the million dollar question, there were times like you said I don’t know what the stats are (inaudible) felt like just down the stretch a lot of times we were right there and taking games into the third period in a decent spot. Kind of got away from us but I don’t know if that comes from recognizing situations in games a little bit better and knowing the time and the score and things like that and kind of really reacting to those situations or what. Certainly not how you are successful.

James, you were the only guy on the team who was able to dress in all 82 games this year, is that something you take some personal pride in?

Yeah definitely I take a lot of pride in how I prepare myself to play.   Especially now as you get a bit older you figure out what works and what doesn’t work.   You certainly take pride in being the guy that’s reliable and playing in all the games and being there for practice and setting an example that way. Obviously production wise I did better this year and definitely some things I can take into the summer and try to work on and improve upon, but as far as just being able to show up and be out there for all 82 and not missing practice and stuff like that. Obviously, that’s always a good quality.

Inside Access: Philadelphia Flyers vs. Tampa Bay Lightning

 

Introductions

My first trip to the Wells Fargo Center since the virus-shortened 2019-20 season. The organization's media relations department remains, as it has always been, first-rate. The experience has held since 2011 when I was first credentialed.

Pregame as a member of the media includes a good meal (chicken Marsala, with nice sides, soup, and a chocolate chunk cookie) on the lower level, followed by setup. Looking down at the empty arena before any game is always a surreal moment, as personal hockey history, dating back to the 1970s and career sports experience, dating back to the late 1980s, collides. Use of that verb, rather than combines, felt right based on the nature of this sport.

The Philadelphia Flyers (8-9-4) enters the tilt as pressure continues to build, with seven consecutive losses (including one by shootout and another in overtime). The Tampa Bay Lightning (14-5-4). At this pace, the Flyers face a challenge remaining in the playoff hunt. The reigning, two-time Stanley Cup champion Lightning could three-peat.

Claude Giroux is the Flyers leading scorer with 18 points. The Lightning have three players at 20 points or above, led by Steven Stamkos, 26 points. Victor Hedman is second in scoring, with 23 points. That contrasts with the Flyers lack of its top D-man, Ryan Ellis, who was the key off-season addition, is reinforced as a result.

Lightning starters: Former Flyer, goalie Brian Elliott, defensemen Jan Rutta, Hedman, and forwards Alex Killorn, Gabriel Fortier, and Anthony Cirelli.

Flyers starters: Goalie Carter Hart, defenseman Ivan Provorov, Rasmus Ristolainen, Giroux, Cam Atkinson, and Sean Couturier. Also, Patrick Brown returns after missing time due to injury.

The evergreen sound of Lauren Hart, with the digital flag-waving full-ice, as the anthem plays, never tires.

A fitting moment of silence for Flyers executive Phil Weinberg, who recently passed, reminds fans of the family feel that has been a prominent part of this team's storied history. He is considered by many to be second only to founder Ed Snider as the most important off-ice figure in franchise history.

First period

Flyers with the early shot advantage (6-2), through nearly the first seven minutes of the game. A potential Lightning goal review confirmed that the puck did not cross the goal line at 7:08.

Hart's calm demeanor reflects what he's recaptured or re-instituted following last season's sidetrack. However, defensive issues continue.

Tampa goal at 8:24, scored by Ryan McDonaugh (his second goal of the season). Assists from Stamkos and Mathieu Joseph.

The lead doubled exactly one minute later, as Corey Perry scored (his fourth of the season). Assists from McDonagh and former Flyer, Pierre-Edouard Bellemare.

Flyers are outshooting the Lightning 12-8 with nearly eight minutes remaining in the frame.

Minimal pressure on Moose (who is 36), which he could not claim last season. The volume of games he was needed in during the 2020-21 season wore him down, with this season's move to Martin Jones (32) deemed necessary.

Shots: Philadelphia 14 - Tampa 9

Score: Tampa 2 - Philadelphia 0

Intermission Mites On Ice is always a crowd-pleaser.

Giroux Flyers offensive Time-on-ice leader (6:50) in this period. Last year of his contract and time in Philadelphia? Later season trade potential, if this team does not reverse course and Giroux (who has a no-movement clause) agrees to be dealt from the team he captains.

Second period

Tampa took it to 3-0 at the 2:56 mark. Goal scored by Taylor Raddysh (his second of the season). Assists from Hedman and Ross Colton.

Flyers had a 10-game losing streak during the Hakstol era but made the playoffs. A loss today would put them two away from a double-digit line no one wants to reach.

Game likely out of reach at 6:47. Boris Katchouk (his first of the season). Assists from Colton and Hedman.

During a Flyers power play - A misplay by Hart turned the puck over to Joseph, who scored an unassisted and short-handed goal at 8:34. The goal was Joseph's fourth overall of the season.

That led to Hart's pull from the game, with Jones replacing him.

Strong teams know how to sink the knife on a weakened opponent. Flyers need to regain composure and try to outscore Lightning from here on out to gain something from this game.

Philadelphia out-shooting Tampa Bay 19-17 through slightly over thirteen minutes into the period.

Nothing to show on a power play, as the Flyers' offensive zone confidence was shaken weeks ago.

A goal review took place, with the position of Scott Laughton's stick, when he touched a puck that then crossed the goal line, being in doubt. It was determined that a high stick was used. So, no goal. Yes, it is one of those games for Alain Vigneault's squad.

Shots: Philadelphia 23- Tampa 18

Score: Tampa 5 - Philadelphia 0

Another Mites On Ice gave the crowd something to cheer for.

Third period

The sixth goal was scored by former Flyers' property, Pat Maroon (his fifth of the season) at 5:29. Assists from Perry and Hedman.

A brawl ensued shortly after behind Elliott, with the fans offering a 1970's style cheers. Flyers gained the man advantage at 6:38, hoping to avoid the shutout. And they did, as a deflected goal by Atkinson (his eighth of the season), on a shot by Giroux, made the score 6-1 at 7:04. The other assist went to Keith Yandle.

Atkinson ended a goal drought that dates back to the Flyers last win, on November 16, 2021, against the Calgary Flames. His tally was the OT game-winner.

Perry got his second of the night at 14:15, to make it 7-1. Assists from McDonagh and Colton.

Sean Couturier was hit by a puck in the mouth in the second period, which caused significant bleeding. He returned and was wearing a cage.

Shots: Philadelphia 39 - Tampa 27

Score: Tampa 7 - Philadelphia 1

After the horn sounded

Vigneault and General Manager Chuck Fletcher have not made injury excuses. This team and others have battled that challenge.

Fletcher did change and arguably lengthen the roster in the off-season. But he is still building depth. So, injuries have reinforced organizational challenges that persist. 

The following quotes from the post-game presser are courtesy of the Flyers Media Department, with media questions noted:

Philadelphia Flyers Head Coach Alain Vigneault

 

You couldn’t have asked for a better start in the first 5 minutes of the game, what happened after that?

That’s a good question. I really liked out energy and we talked about setting a fast-paced game against a team who played last night, which we did initially. I think we still kept going at them hard after their first goal and their second goal for whatever reason hurt us. They were able to find the back of our net after their first couple chances. It didn’t go well for us, and we will have to regroup here since we don’t have a lot of time before we play tomorrow.

 

What do you tell your team after a game like this?

At the end of the day no one is going to feel sorry for us. We had two good practice days and I thought we came out hard, but obviously everything that unfolded after their second goal wasn’t very good. We will get back at it here tomorrow and have a couple quick meetings and get our guys focused on what we need to do on the ice and hopefully we can bring the energy and execution against a really solid team.

 

Are you and the team just struggling for answers right now?

We are looking for solutions to our situation. We all have a job to do and need to get to work and do our part. The guy that is the leader of this group who has both his hands on the steering wheel is me and I have to find a way to get this group to play better. We are in a bad skid right now and we need to end this. We have an opportunity tomorrow night and hopefully we will play better.

 

Will Jones be in goal?

Yes.

Philadelphia Flyers G Carter Hart

 

Is it hard as a team to keep out negative thoughts?

I mean obviously not the result we want, but I think we are trying hard. Just things aren’t going our way right now. It’s tough, but we just have to stick with it. It can be hard to do that when things aren’t going our way, but we just got to keep working. We started off hot and came out hard, but they got a couple early and it went from there. 

 

What happened on your final goal?

I mean I just turned it over and they put it on the net. 

 

Were you okay leaving the crease or do you think you should have stayed?

I mean I was trying to get it off the boards and I didn’t, and it was put in the net. It was a tough break and I have to make a better play. 

Philadelphia Flyers LW James van Riemsdyk

 

James, you guys had basically the start you wanted in the game. When things are going the way they are, how easy is it to have negative thoughts?

Like you said, I thought we got off to a good start. They bent but didn’t break. Unfortunately, when they got a couple, it seemed to snowball on us. It seems to be the way it’s been going for us lately.

 

Does it feel a lot like last season when one thing went wrong, it became part of that downward spiral that you talked all training camp about avoiding. Does it feel like that?

Yeah, it’s hard to say. Certainly, tonight it went that way for sure. I don’t know. It’s hard to really put your finger on it.  Obviously not good enough and I think we’re capable of a lot better.

 

It seems like some guys are passing up opportunities on some pretty good chances or overthinking it. Why do you think that is and how do you go about fixing that?

I think we have a lot of guys in there that really care and want to do well. When it’s not going our way like it is right now, sometimes that can creep in a little bit. I think as hard as it can be, we have to do a good job of staying positive and just sticking to playing direct and try to play with your instincts. That’s usually when you play your best. Obviously, we know we’ve dug ourselves a little bit of a hole here, but we have a big game tomorrow night. We have to have the mindset and the attitude that it starts tomorrow and have a good game, good first shift, good first period, and then build off that.

 

Philadelphia Flyers RW Cam Atkinson

 

AV said he’s the one with his hands on the steering wheel, is it a little embarrassing when you come out and perform like that and he’s the one who has to take the heat?

Absolutely, it’s not a little embarrassing, at the end of the day it’s the players that have to dig deep, and obviously stick together. I’ve been in a lot worse situations than this. At the end of the day, we have to take a little pride in coming to the rink and battling. It’s ultimately the players that are going to dig ourselves out of this. I think we had a good conversation after the game. Luckily, we have another opportunity tomorrow to just play the right way- play hard, play for each other.

 

Do you think you guys are over-passing, overthinking certain plays in the offensive zone?

Yeah, sometimes or most of the times it looks like we’re trying to pass the puck into the net. We need to shoot the puck. That’s where you get rebounds. I think we’re trying to be a little too cute. We score all our goals in the dirty areas. We’re not in position to try making those plays. The more shots, the more opportunities we’re going to get. Sometimes when you get those opportunities, it goes off your shin pad, or off your skate, whatever it is.

 

You said there was a conversation between the players after the game. What was the theme of that conversation?

I think, I said in the first question, just play with pride, play for each other. Obviously, we’re embarrassed. There’s no question about that. Our fans are, they support us, and to lay a goose egg like that in front of them, it’s embarrassing. Take a hard look in the mirror and we have another opportunity tomorrow. Let’s get back on track.

 

Philadelphia Flyers C Claude Giroux

 

AV talked about how you guys had two good days of practice and liked where everyone was. The you have a game like tonight, how do you reconcile those two things?

We started well and had some good shifts. They scored the one and they played the right way.

 

Do you get the sense that right now this is a fragile team, where one thing goes wrong and it snowballs?

I mean if you look at the game tonight, yeah. I think that is pretty accurate. I have played a lot of embarrassing games, and this is definitely one of them. We need to figure it out pretty quick here.

 

Cam said you guys had a good conversation in the locker room after the game, what was the theme of that conversation?

Well obviously, that is going to stay there. Personally, I have been on a team here where we lost 10 in a row and made the playoffs, so I know it may be weird to say but we do have confidence in each other. We can be a dangerous team and we know we can win some hockey games. Right now, we just need to find our swagger, compete and play 60 minutes. Right now, we just aren’t doing that.

Tampa Bay Lightning G Brian Elliott

 

After spending so much time here, was this an important experience/game that you win?

Anytime that you come to a building that you’ve played a while at, you want to have success, you want to shake off the demons. It’s something that you definitely circle in the calendar and if you get a chance to play you want to do your best. We’re coming off a game that we probably didn’t play our best, in Boston we got two points and back-to-back while they were waiting for us. It’s sometimes the recipe for disaster but I thought our guys responded, saw some big goals from the young guys coming through with fresh legs. Get seven, hopefully get a win.

 

Did you hear some of those Moose calls in the stands?

No, you never know if it's a ‘boo’ or a ‘moose’, so you try not to listen to them. It was the same when I was playing here. You try to zone it out.

 

First five or so minutes of the game you had to be really sharp coming off the back-to-back, until your team got their legs going, how aware of that are you as a goalie and can you talk about that first stretch there for you?

They’re a desperate team over there, I’ve been in that situation with the same team. It’s not a good feeling when you’re not getting the results you want. We knew they were going to come hard with a bit of a push. I thought we did a really good job weathering it and moving on from that. It shows the maturity and the culture in our room to be able to do that. It’s a big two points to bag and move on to the Canadian leg of our trip here.