2016 and the start of Round 4 of our 20 game pre season schedule is in the books.

Early game between the Flyers and the Bruins.  One of the Barrett boys back from their Finland trip.  Not sure what happened in Helsinki but what happens in Helsinki stays in Helsinki and there is ointment for the rash.  Flyers score the only 2 goals of the opening frame.  Bruins get the only goal in the 2nd frame as the Flyers take a 2-1 lead into the final period.  Flyers get up 3-1 at 9:45 but the Bruins score 2 goals just 30 seconds later tiring up the match at 3’s.  Flyers go back on top at 6:45 and then score their 5th goal with 5 minutes left and thats how this one finished 5-3 win for the Flyers.  Cummings, Fletcher and new temp dude Marshall scoring for the Bruins.  Robb, McCormick, Carlisle, Diluzio and Messenger scoring for the Flyers.  Flyers went 0-2 on the PP and Bruins were 0-1.  Alan Robb gets the Player of the Game for the Flyers and Gorde Ide for the Bruins.  Flyers move into a tie with the Islanders for top spot with the victory.

Late game between the top team Islanders and the basement dwellers the Habs looked like a mismatch.  Islanders with only 10 skaters load up their top 3 forwards on one line and Habs looked nervous.  1-1 after the opening frame as Islanders out shoot the Habs by a lot but Habs goalie looked sharp early on.  Islanders pretty well have a similar 2nd frame but only manage 1 goal past Ervin as frustration started to creep into the Islanders forwards.  Habs tied it up early in the 3rd as the momentum began to change towards the boys in red.  Habs take the lead for the first time at 8:11 and then 2nd year Patrick ‘Mcdreamy’ Sharp scored a beauty one timer giving the Habs a 4-2 lead with 3 and a half minutes left in the game.

Habs Goalie Barry Ervin then completely shut down the Islanders as the Habs win.  I think a few of the Islanders will not be sleeping well with this image in their heads.  Barry clearly was the Player of the Game for the Habs and Sal Guerra gets the nod for the Islanders.  Habs get goals from Steve Kostick, Rukavina, Sharp and rookie Desrosiers who had a 3 point night and takes over the rookie scoring race with 12 pts in 8 games.  McKean and Tygesen score for the Islanders.  Playoff type atmosphere for this one.

This weeks games goes January 15.  9:15 the Islanders look to bounce back against the rested Oilers as the Islanders are 2 and 1 against the Oilers.  The 10:30 game will showcase the Habs and the Bruins as the Bruins lead the season series 2 to 1.  Flyers get the week off.

See you all on the ice!