In a game that will go down as a turning point for 23-year-old defenseman Emil Andrae, the Flyers managed to eke out a thrilling comeback win against the Blues, thanks in large part to Andrae's heroics.
With the game tied late into the third period, the puck took a loud thud off Dan Vladar's pad and landed at the feet of St. Louis center Daliobr Dvorsky. But instead of scoring the go-ahead goal, Vladar fell to his back with his glove outstretched in desperation, only for Andrae to swoop in and block the shot with his body. The momentum shifted instantly, allowing the Flyers to clear the puck and take it the other way.
That crucial block was just one of several key plays made by Andrae throughout the game. He was excellent on the ice, contributing to the Flyers' comeback win and helping to secure a spot in overtime. Coach Rick Tocchet took notice, too, and opted to move Andrae up to the second defensive pairing alongside Jamie Drysdale.
The decision paid off handsomely for Andrae, who went on to post three assists and a plus-4 rating in a breakout performance. He was skating well with his new partner, and his ability to create offense and make outlet passes was on full display. When questioned about his growth, Andrae credited himself for improving his overall defense and being stronger on the walls.
But this win marked more than just a personal milestone for Andrae. It represented a turning point in his NHL career, one that may have cemented his status as a regular contributor to the Flyers' blue line. The team's coach made it clear that he believes in Andrae, saying "he gets up, didn't quit" on that game-tying block.
The Flyers' annual Hockey Fights Cancer night was also a highlight of the evening, with players and fans alike showing their support for loved ones battling cancer. The event featured new goalie masks, SkateSkins displays, and a heartfelt ceremony to honor Jason Myrteus, who recently returned home from treatment after being diagnosed with colorectal cancer.
As for Andrae, he's taking things one game at a time, but there's no denying that this performance has him on the rise.
With the game tied late into the third period, the puck took a loud thud off Dan Vladar's pad and landed at the feet of St. Louis center Daliobr Dvorsky. But instead of scoring the go-ahead goal, Vladar fell to his back with his glove outstretched in desperation, only for Andrae to swoop in and block the shot with his body. The momentum shifted instantly, allowing the Flyers to clear the puck and take it the other way.
That crucial block was just one of several key plays made by Andrae throughout the game. He was excellent on the ice, contributing to the Flyers' comeback win and helping to secure a spot in overtime. Coach Rick Tocchet took notice, too, and opted to move Andrae up to the second defensive pairing alongside Jamie Drysdale.
The decision paid off handsomely for Andrae, who went on to post three assists and a plus-4 rating in a breakout performance. He was skating well with his new partner, and his ability to create offense and make outlet passes was on full display. When questioned about his growth, Andrae credited himself for improving his overall defense and being stronger on the walls.
But this win marked more than just a personal milestone for Andrae. It represented a turning point in his NHL career, one that may have cemented his status as a regular contributor to the Flyers' blue line. The team's coach made it clear that he believes in Andrae, saying "he gets up, didn't quit" on that game-tying block.
The Flyers' annual Hockey Fights Cancer night was also a highlight of the evening, with players and fans alike showing their support for loved ones battling cancer. The event featured new goalie masks, SkateSkins displays, and a heartfelt ceremony to honor Jason Myrteus, who recently returned home from treatment after being diagnosed with colorectal cancer.
As for Andrae, he's taking things one game at a time, but there's no denying that this performance has him on the rise.
he's literally become a superhero on ice! i mean i know dan vladar had that crazy glove save tho 
but andrae's block in the 3rd period was insane 
. and 4+ rating? come on, that's just getting started 
. coach tocchet made the right call movin him up to drysdale, they're like two peas in a pod out there 
. and btw, hockey fights cancer night is always so moving 
. it's not just about the game, it's about supportin each other off ice too 
. andrae's definitely on the rise, mark my words! 
it was like slow motion, you know? anyway, i'm glad to see emil getting the recognition he deserves - he's been underrated for a while now 
but that game showcased his skills so much. the whole team effort is what matters here, tho... and those hockey fights cancer night vibes 
are just the best - always love seeing the heart and spirit of the sport shine through 
So I'm thinking about Andrae's block and how it changed the momentum of that game... it was like the whole atmosphere shifted instantly. He made some huge plays out there and Coach Tocchet recognized his value by moving him up to a new pairing. Now, is this a game-changer for Andrae? I think so 
. The way he contributed to that comeback win and then followed it up with three assists suggests he's on the right track. Plus, the fact that Coach Tocchet believes in him is saying something. It's like he's finally finding his footing on the blue line ⏅. We'll have to see how this plays out, but for now, I'm feeling pretty optimistic about Andrae's future with the Flyers 
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. The Flyers' coach seems to have put his faith in him, but let's not get ahead of ourselves here. It's just one game, a lucky win doesn't make someone a regular contributor. I'm still on the fence about this whole thing 
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I'm hyped for Emil Andrae right now! He was absolutely on fire out there and it's awesome to see the Flyers' coach believe in him. That block he made was insane, I could've watched it over and over 
The kid's got game...and it's not just his stick skills 
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. Andrae's growth is real, and it's awesome to see him take his role seriously and own it 
. Coach Tocchet knows what he's doing too 
, moving Andrae up the ranks at the right time. This kid's got potential, and I'm excited to see him continue to develop his skills 
, and I'm not surprised he's getting noticed by his coach. That block in the third period was insane 
. Can't we just get some decent discussion going on here? Like, what did everyone think about Andrae's game-winning block? I swear, it was a straight-up heroics 
. Can't a guy just get some love around here for one amazing play? 
It's amazing to see the Flyers' commitment to supporting loved ones battling cancer. 
. The Flyers' coaching staff knows what they're doing by moving him up to the second pairing, it's clear he's got game 
. Andrae's growth as a player is impressive, especially with his ability to create offense and make those outlet passes 
!
. I think this win could be a real turning point for him - who knows what the future holds? Maybe we'll see him become a regular contributor to that blue line soon 
. And btw, I love how Coach Tocchet believes in him so much 
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. It's amazing how sports can bring people together and make a difference in people's lives. Andrae's humble attitude about his growth is cool too - it's awesome to see him crediting himself for improvement 
. When Coach Tocchet said "he gets up, didn't quit" on that game-tying block, it's clear that everyone believes in Andrae and wants to see him succeed 
. The way he credits himself for improving his defense is so relatable, and I'm all about that growth mindset