Philly Fans Finally See a Home Win as Rookie Scores in OT for Flyers
Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Yesterday, we mentioned that a Philadelphia sports team hadn’t won a home game all month. There were only two more chances for a home victory in November, and last night it looked like the Flyers would win this one easily. They were up 2-0 seven minutes into the third period. A home win was just more than 10 minutes away.
Naturally, the Flyers gave up two goals in the third and the game went to overtime. The chance for a home win was in doubt, especially because the Flyers came into the game just 2-4 after being tied at the end of regulation. But Philly caught a break when the Carolina Hurricanes’ Victor Rask was called for holding just 11 seconds into the period. The Flyers would get a 4-on-3 advantage for two minutes. (NHL overtimes are now 3-on-3, with teams going to 4-on-3 when a penalty is called.
Then Shayne Gostisbehere, the Flyers rookie defenseman, flicked one into the net just 13 seconds later to give the Flyers the 3-2 overtime win. Finally, a win in Philadelphia! It was the most recent victory for a Philly team since the Flyers beat the Rangers in OT at the Wells Fargo Center on October 24th. (The last regulation home win for a Philly team was on October 19th, when the Eagles beat the Giants on Monday Night Football.)
Gostibehere — “Ghost Bear” if you’re looking for a nickname — is only up because of injuries, and yet he’s already contributed. Monday night’s game-winner was his second goal of the year, and he has three points in just five games.
And he’s still getting adjusted to the NHL. “The first day, I get called up and go in the bathroom and I’m like, ‘Why’s there a remote control in the bathroom?’,” Gostisbehere told Sports Illustrated recently. “I clicked the power button and there was a TV in the mirror. At first I’m like, ‘What’s the point of that?’”
Gostibehere had just 19 games with the Phantoms before his call-up to the Flyers, and is already contributing to the big club. If you’re looking to buy a new Flyers jersey or T-shirt, he’s the guy you want. It already looks like he’s going to be here for a long time.
