The Philadelphia Flyers’ prospects lost 4-3 to the Washington Capitals prospects on Thursday in their annual prospect game. The game closes out three days of rookie camp for each team and took place at the Kettler Capitals Iceplex in Arlington, VA. I attempted to watch the live online coverage, but as the feed was never uploaded, I will share my thoughts based on what’s been posted and tweeted online as well as late evening highlights. I give credit to the Philadelphia Flyers web site, Broad Street Hockey, and the Washington Post for game details.
· Goaltending- Sergei Bobrovsky started the game in net for the Flyers and was swapped later with Adam Morrison. Ben Rothenberg of Broad Street Hockey tweeted earlier that “Bobrovsky has got to be one of the quickest goalies I’ve ever seen. Seriously explosive stuff.” While the force is strong with this one, the young netminder still needs to polish his game. He let in the first goal from Capitals prospect Stanislab Galiev as a result of getting caught too deep in the net. Morrison was also adequate, letting up a slapshot on a Capitals powerplay from defenseman Josh Godrey as well as the game-winning-goal with 1:15 left in regulation. Not too much to read into their game, other than they need more experience.
· Zac Rinaldo- The prospect enforcer appears to have reined his temper in a bit compared to previous showings, but he managed to fight with the Capitals “attempt” at a fighter, Trevor Bruess. What’s worth noting is that Rinaldo managed to draw an additional penalty on Bruess, putting the Flyers on the power play. If Rinaldo can develop into an agitator like Dan Carcillo, he may earn himself a spot on the fourth line in a few years.
· The Four Musketeers- It was reported earlier this summer (and detailed in a great piece on Hockeybuzz by Julie Robenhymer) that Flyers prospects Ben Holmstrom, Andrew Rowe, Mike Testwuide and Eric Wellwood decided to spend the summer together after the Development Camp in July. The idea, suggested by Flyers management, was for the four to live together and train with Flyers conditioning coach, Jim McCrossin. During the scrimmage, Testwuide pick-pocketed a defenseman ten seconds into a penalty kill and fed it to Holmstrom for a one-timer that tied the game. In the third period, Wellwood scored to close the deficit with assists from Tye McGinn (selected in this year’s draft) and defenseman Eric Gustafsson. The dedication shown by these players to the organization appears to have paid off, and should earn them call-ups later next season as injuries accrue.
· Phantoms defenseman Marc Andre Bourdon did not have the standout year that the Flyers were hoping he would this past season, but it looks like he may have begun to turn the corner. He was named the team Captain heading into the game and scored the third goal for the Flyers, tying the game with 4:30 to go. Bourdon and Gustafsson appear to be the two defensive prospects closest to making the jump to the big club this season.
Last year, Flyers prospect James Van Riemsdyk destroyed the Capitals, scoring four goals and notching an assist in their 7-3 win. JVR’s rookie and preseason performances earned him a shot with the Flyers when most were expecting him to start with the Phantoms. None of the prospects had that kind of game today, and I doubt any will be able to outperform forward Bill Guerin, who agreed to a tryout contract this week, as the preseason continues. Nevertheless, good things are on the horizon and the Flyers may be able to rely on several of these prospects to make the jump as contracts wrap up after this next season.
