Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
The Philadelphia Flyers lost last night, but it was not because of Steve Mason. Mason was brilliant, at times, in a 3-1 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs, making a few highlight reel saves and having a solid overall night.
As a whole, the Flyeres were buzzing in the offensive zone for much of two periods; their chances just never translated into goals. As solid as Mason was, Leafs’ goaltender, Jonathan Bernier, was that much better. Bernier stood on his head, plain and simple. The Flyers converted on only 1-of-7 power play opportunities, and the credit goes to Bernier for that. He stopped chance after chance on the orange and black man advantage.
Goal tending has been a heavily debated topic in Flyers Country. One positive to take away out of this game and down the stretch last season, is that the Flyers may have finally found their goalie of the future in Mason. He was superb down the stretch last year, and started off strong in the opener.
Hopefully, he builds on this. The play of the night for the Flyers was a dazzling series of moves by Vinny Lecavalier, who then fed it to Brayden Schenn for the go ahead goal at the time. Brilliant stuff from the veteran Lecavalier. It is also important that the young Schenn gets going in his third season. One of the young men that the Flyers acquired for Mike Richards needs a break out season for this offense to thrive.
It was a disappointing night for the Flyers and their fans. However, it is only one out of 82. Mason was brilliant at times, and all those chances the Flyers are getting will eventually turn into goals. On this night, you have to tip your cap to the Leafs, especially Bernier. He stole the game in an other wise solid Flyers home opener. On to Montreal.
