Flyers drown Coyotes 6-2, win 4th straight

PHILADELPHIA. PA - On 90’s night down at the Wells Fargo Center the Flyers showed some shades of their forebear’s as they dropped 5 goals in the 2nd period, simply overwhelming an already battered Coyotes defense.

The night began slow, and many fans probably got the same feeling in their stomach they’ve gotten time and time again this season, that of slim hopes being cushed. But the Flyers returned from the second intermission and flipped a switch, and they did it quick. Just 25 seconds into the frame Travis Konecny buried one behind Karel Vejmelka making it a 1-1 game. And after a quick hiccup on a Nick Ritchie goal that debatably could have been called as goalie interference, the Fly-Guys were right back in it as they scored four unanswered goals, one of which coming from a now first-time All-Star in Kevin Hayes.

Hayes, who has never been named to an All-Star team during his 10 year career had this to say when asked about what the honor meant to him “yea, it’s really exciting for myself and my family I didn’t see it coming but I’m excited and it’s really important to myself, and my brothers family, and my whole family, since my brothers been out the league his only wish is to have me make the All-Star game, I remember every year he’d tell me this is going to be the year, so I don’t want to make this an emotional or sad type of interview but when I found out I was pretty emotional about it”. Kevin’s brother and former NHL’er, Jimmy Hayes died just 4 months earlier as a result of complications of Cocaine and Fentynal consumption, Hayes was reportedly heavily affected mentally by Jimmy’s death and making the games in his honor gives a bit of a jovial light to an otherwise tragic story for the Hayes brothers.

Hayes, 30, has been a bright spot on a young and developing Flyers club. Across 37 games the Dorchester Mass product has posted 32 points (9 G, 23 A) while also acting as a strong veteran presence and dealing with multple controversial benching’s from head coach John Tortorella. While many have raised question as to if Hayes was the right choice for the All-Star game, if you look into his game and truly see the kind of player he is and thr night-in-night-out contributions he makes to his club you will truly see his warranting.

As time has gone on we’ve seen that this Flyers club may be more legit than we once thought as they have now ripped off 4 in a row and sit just 3 games below .500. While not the most impressive in the grander scheme of things, considering where many expected this squad to be it is a pleasant surprise to see them doing this well so far into the year. But bigger tests are ahead, as the club will prepare to faceoff with one of the Eastern Conference’s best in the Toronto Maple Leafs on Sunday night back at the Wells Fargo Center for a 7:00 face-off.