The Philadelphia Flyers have a clear favorite to claim the backup goaltending role
After Felix Sandstrom played for a period in the net, Samuel Ersson played the other 40 minutes.
«Decent. Obviously, the first game,» Ersson said about his performance against the Islanders. «A little bit of rusty in certain situations — shots you haven't seen for awhile.
«You just go in and not take anything for granted. I did something good last year and I'm proud of that and kinda put myself in a better situation for this year. I know that doesn't mean anything coming into this year.
«I still have to fight for everything if I want to be up there with big team. I have to prove it.
«I'm out here trying to prove that I can help this team to win games. That's my job and the only thing I want to focus on.
«It's fun. You want to be a pro hockey player, you want to feel that little bit of nervousness throughout a game and practices, everything. It's really fun going to work. You know every day means a lot.»
«You just go in and not take anything for granted. I did something good last year and I'm proud of that and kinda put myself in a better situation for this year. I know that doesn't mean anything coming into this year.
«I still have to fight for everything if I want to be up there with big team. I have to prove it.
«I'm out here trying to prove that I can help this team to win games. That's my job and the only thing I want to focus on.
«It's fun. You want to be a pro hockey player, you want to feel that little bit of nervousness throughout a game and practices, everything. It's really fun going to work. You know every day means a lot.»
In the end, one of them will back up Carter Hart, who hasn't played in a pre-season game yet. Despite that, Lehigh Valley Phantoms coach Ian Lapierre believes both goalies have performed well throughout the preseason.
«I think both guys have been solid all camp,» said Phantoms coach Ian Laperrière, who coached the Flyers in the first two preseason games.
«Felix and ‘Erss' are two really capable goaltenders and they keep improving every day. It's going to be a tough competition, that's for sure.
«They know [they're competing]. They're not dumb; they know what's going on. ‘Erss' had a great year for us last year and Felix played well for them [Flyers] at moments and he won games.
«They both went home and trained. They want that spot. It's only healthy for the organization — you have [Cal] Petersen in there in that mix— it's only healthy for everybody.»
«Felix and ‘Erss' are two really capable goaltenders and they keep improving every day. It's going to be a tough competition, that's for sure.
«They know [they're competing]. They're not dumb; they know what's going on. ‘Erss' had a great year for us last year and Felix played well for them [Flyers] at moments and he won games.
«They both went home and trained. They want that spot. It's only healthy for the organization — you have [Cal] Petersen in there in that mix— it's only healthy for everybody.»
After going 6-3 in 12 games with a 3.07 GAA and a .889 save percentage, Ersson recently signed a $2.9 Million dollar extension with the team.
In light of Ersson's consistency last season, it would seem he'd be a lock, while Cal Petersen and Felix Sandstrom may be on their way to Lehigh Valley? Perhaps.
In his 20 games with the Flyers last season, Sandstrom recorded a 3-12-3 record, a 3.72 GAA, and a .887 save percentage. In addition to becoming a UFA, he is also eligible for waivers this season.
«It feels good to get adjusted playing games again,» Sandstrom said after the Islanders game. «We played a little better today than last game. It's good to get some shots at the beginning.
«I'm battling to get a shot here and all the other guys are, too. We're just battling hard every day.»
«I'm battling to get a shot here and all the other guys are, too. We're just battling hard every day.»
Cal Petersen is also in competition with him, who was acquired in the Ivan Provorov trade, and whose haphazard play allowed the New Jersey Devils four goals in the first six minutes.
He only started 94 games in the NHL with the Kings, going 5-3-2 with a 2.92 GAA and a .905 SV%.
In the Flyers' last four pre-season games, Sam Ersson seems likely to be the new backup, but it should clarify who will support Carter Hart this season.
As Seen On: phillyhockeynow.com
| POLL | ||
September 29 | 111 answers The Philadelphia Flyers have a clear favorite to claim the backup goaltending role Do you think Sam Ersson is the backup goalie for the Flyers? | ||
| Yes | 94 | 84.7 % |
| No | 17 | 15.3 % |
| LIST OF POLLS | ||
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