Philadelphia Flyers’ Season isn’t Soaring

The Philadelphia Flyers are two games under .500 at 17-19 about midway through the season.

The Flyers are currently in fourth place in the Metropolitan division, just behind the New York Rangers.

“I’m not a Flyers fan, but they’re the hometown team, and I get more of their games than the Redwings games, so I tend to watch them,” senior Michael Osenbach said.

The New York Islanders are currently leading the metropolitan division with a record of 23 wins, 13 losses and 1 tie. The Islanders have a young team that is looking for another post-season run after losing to the Penguins in seven games last year.

“It’s been a rough season so far. The flyers keep dropping games, and the wins are far and few between,” sophomore Nick Krasley said.

Recently, the Flyers have been plagued with bad news and injuries. The Flyers starting goalie has received a lower body injury.  Steve Mason has appeared in 29 games this year, compiling a record of 8 wins, 12 losses and 6 ties. He ranks 20th in goals-against average (2.46) but 11th in save percentage (.920), according to NHL.com.

Ray Emery will take over as the starter, and Rob Zepp was recalled Sunday from the Lehigh Valley American Hockey League.

Mason was injured in the first period of a loss to Boston recently. General manager Ron Hextall says it’s a separate injury from the one kept that him out of practice last week. Mason is due to go for an MRI later this week.

“Mason’s a huge loss for the flyers; he’s a real solid tendy,” Krasley said.

With Mason out, the Flyers instill all their trust into Emery, who allowed only three goals in his NHL debut against the Winnipeg Jets that led the Flyers to a win.