It may not have been a real game, but it was the closest thing so far.
The Flyers held two intra-squad scrimmages on Tuesday at the Skate Zone in Voorhees, N.J., one being dominated by Jeff Carter and the other Ray Emery.
Carter highlighted the first game with two goals, as his line with Mika Pyorala thrived.
“I thought the Carter line was sensational,” said Flyers’ coach John Stevens. “Pyorala was a really good player, but the whole line was.”
Emery headed the second group, making multiple stops to preserve a shutout in his first competitive action since signing a one-year deal with the Flyers in the offseason. His team went on to win 3-0.
“It was a practice thing but it was good,” said Emery. “It was a fast paced game with some reps and the boys got to throw their bodies around a bit. It’s too early to look too far into anything like that.”
One of Emery’s blemishes came on the traditional post-scrimmage shoot out, when James van Riemsdyk faked forehand and roofed it glove-side backhand, getting a rise from the crowd. Arron Asham also scored.
“I thought he did good today,” Stevens said of JVR. “Obviously the last thought he leaves you with is that heck of a shot on the shoot out. He made a heck of a move where he finished it off, much like he did in the rookie game. He’s a big guy that has good hands and makes quick plays. I thought he made a good account of himself again.”
Also impressing was 5-foot-11, 170 lbs., Finnish defenseman Joonas Lehtivuori, who scored a goal and caught the eye of Stevens.
“Certainly Lehtivuori is a smart and talented player,” Stevens said, when asked who impressed him. “And it really showed out there today.”
35 Flyers will travel to Detroit to play in the team’s opening preseason game against the Red Wings on Wednesday.
Phila.Bright 