Flyers end losing streak with victory over Blue Jackets

The Philadelphia Flyers faced off against the Columbus Blue Jackets for the first time this season. They would end their three-game losing streak with what may be their most complete win this season.

Noah Cates gave the Flyers a 1-0 lead at the 4:33 mark of the first period. He drove the net, the puck bounced into the air, and he batted it past Blue Jackets goaltender Elvis Merzlikins. Foerster and York picked up assists.

The Flyers went up 2-0 at the 10:56 mark of the first period as Owen Tippett's wrist shot from outside the left circle went under the right arm of Merzlikiens. Drysdale and Frost tallied assists.

Cole Sillinger got called for high-sticking at the 14:55 mark of the first period which gave the Flyers their first power play of the game. The Flyers turned the puck over many times and didn't get any shots on net.

Kevin Labanc gave the Flyers their second power play of the game at the 4:33 mark of the second period as he was called for high-sticking.

Travis Konecny capitalized on the power play opportunity at the 6:11 mark of the second period. Matvei Michkov set him up with a cross-ice pass from the corner and Konecny's snap shot from the left circle beat Merzlikins glove side. This gave the Flyers a 3-0 lead. Michkov and Brink received assists.

The Flyers got their third power play of the game at the 8:19 mark of the second period as Mathieu Olivier got called for elbowing. They had a few good looks but couldn't capitalize.

Nick Seeler and Olivier dropped the gloves in a spirited fight at the 10:51 mark of the second period. Olivier threw most of the punches but Seeler was sticking up for Emil Andrae who took a dangerous hit from Olivier minutes earlier.

The Blue Jackets got their first power play of the game at the 15:37 mark of the second period. They capitalized as Zack Werenski's snap shot went past the left pad of Flyers goaltender Samuel Ersson. The goal happened at the 16:56 mark of the second period. This made the score 3-1 Flyers. Marchenko and Monahan tallied assists.

Konecny gave the Flyers a 4-1 lead at the 19:00 mark of the second period as Joel Farabee found him ahead of the defense and sent him on a breakaway with a nice pass. Konecny's wrist shot went through the legs of Merzlikins for his second goal of the game. Farabee and Seeler were given assists.

Morgan Frost scored the fifth goal of the game for the Flyers at the 1:54 mark of the third period. He collected his own rebound and put it in the net. Merzlikiens couldn't get back in position in time to make the save. Michkov received the lonely assist.

Konecny got called for slashing at the 3:26 mark of the third period which gave the Blue Jackets their second power play of the game. The Flyers did a great job of clearing pucks and getting into shooting lanes.

Sean Monahan scored the second goal for the Blue Jackets at the 11:42 mark of the third period. He redirected Dante Fabbro's shot past the glove of Ersson. This made the score 5-2 Flyers. Fabbro and Johnson tallied assists.

Kent Johnson scored the Blue Jackets' third goal as he tipped in Damon Severson's shot past the right pad of Ersson. Severson and vanRiemsdyk collected assists.

The Flyers went one for three on the power play and one for two on the penalty kill in the game.

Ersson was solid in his third game back from injury as he saved 15 of 18 shots giving him an .833 save percentage.

Goal Summary

1st Period:

Cates (2) Assists: Foerster (4), York (2)

Tippett (9) Assists: Drysdale (3), Frost (8)

2nd Period:

Konecny (14) (Power Play) Assists: Brink (9), Michkov (15)

Werenski (9) (Power Play) Assists: Marchenko (17)

Konecny (15) Assists: Farabee (7), Seeler (8)

3rd Period:

Frost (4) Assists: Michkov (16)

Monahan (9) Assists: Fabbro (4), Johnson (7)

Johnson (9) Assists: Severson (10), vanRiemsdyk (5)

Flyers Next Game

Flyers next game is Thursday, Dec. 12 in Philadelphia against the Detroit Red Wings.