There’s nothing like a Philadelphia Flyers game that makes you feel every emotion under the sun. Joy, frustration, relief, heartbreak, elation—it was all there in the leadup to and during the Flyers’ 6-4 victory over the Montreal Canadiens.
But it wasn’t just about the hockey. The game came on the heels of a bombshell morning: John Tortorella, the fiery, demanding, and often polarizing head coach, was relieved of his duties. Assistant coach Brad Shaw was suddenly thrust into the lead role, tasked with keeping the Flyers steady amid the storm.
Then, there was the curious case of Cam York—dressed but not playing, due to a “disciplinary issue.” It all made for a bizarre, tension-filled day that could have easily unraveled the Flyers.
Instead, it was a night where Matvei Michkov nearly had his first NHL hat trick, the Flyers played with a renewed sense of energy even after a tough stretch of losses, and, despite all the chaos surrounding them, finally got a result that matched the effort they’ve been putting in.
1. Matvei Michkov Almost Had His Moment
It felt like the entire Wells Fargo Center was ready to explode. Matvei Michkov had already lit the lamp twice and was hunting for his first career NHL hat trick. Every time he touched the puck, you could feel the anticipation in the building.
For a brief moment, it looked like he had it. His second goal of the night was originally credited to him, but after a closer look, it was determined that Sean Couturier got a piece of it in front. No hat trick—yet.
Then came the final minutes, when the Canadiens’ net was empty. The puck found Travis Konecny, who had a clear shot at an easy goal but instead opted to dish it to Michkov, wanting to set up the rookie’s milestone moment. It was the perfect storybook ending… until the puck clanked off the post.
Matvei Michkov came so close to his first career hat trick… pic.twitter.com/ny0MYEXsXP
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) March 28, 2025
It was a moment that summed up everything about Michkov’s rise—electrifying, dramatic, and just the tiniest bit cruel. The hat trick didn’t come, but it’s only a matter of time before it does. The kid is special, and everyone—his teammates, the fans, the entire organization—knows it.
“I had my hands up [ready to celebrate]!” Konecny laughed postgame when asked about Michkov’s shot not going in. “I’m laughing. It is what it is. I feel bad for him. I don’t think he has [a hat trick] yet, so I’m sure he was upset about it. But he’ll have plenty more opportunities.”
2. Brad Shaw Steered the Ship Through a Chaotic Day
Nobody wakes up expecting to be an NHL head coach by the time they go to bed, but that was Brad Shaw’s reality.
With John Tortorella dismissed, it fell on Shaw’s shoulders to rally a team that had just lost its leader. It was an emotional day, no matter how you slice it. Love him or hate him, Tortorella set a tone in that room. His presence was massive, and adjusting to life without him wasn’t easy.
“A really good friend of mine lost his job,” Shaw said postgame. “He’s been a real mentor to me in my career as a coach, so it was very bittersweet. But once the day starts rolling…I got a lot of support from the staff and we kept most things status quo. We weren’t interested in doing a lot of tinkering.”
Brad Shaw was visibly emotional when talking about Torts and how “bittersweet” today was. Said he doesn’t think there’s a better human being in the game and that he respects Torts so much as a person and a hockey personality. #LetsGoFlyers
— Siobhan Nolan (@SGNolan) March 28, 2025
And to their credit, the Flyers responded the right way. They played a fast, determined game—one that mirrored the style they’ve been trying to execute all season. There was no panic, no sign of a team unraveling under the weight of the news. If anything, they looked sharper, more energized.
“I thought the guys played hard and played smart and obviously we finished more plays at the net and reaped the benefits,” Shaw continued. “We got a big enough lead that we could take it home and get the win.”
Shaw didn’t overhaul anything overnight, but his calm, measured presence clearly had an effect. He made sure his players knew the mission hadn’t changed. And after a string of frustrating results, finally getting a win—especially under these circumstances—felt like a weight lifted off everyone’s shoulders. The collective sigh of relief in the postgame interviews was palpable.
For now, Shaw is the guy behind the bench. Whether he’s the long-term answer remains to be seen, but if his debut as head coach proved anything, it’s that the Flyers aren’t about to let this season slip away.
“I came to Philly to be an assistant coach with [Tortorella],” he explained of the whirlwind of suddenly undertaking head coach responsibilities. “I never really put a lot of thought into the head coaching because I never really planned on it. But now that it’s here and I have these nine games…[we’re] gonna see how good we can get those nine games to be.”
Across his career behind the bench, Shaw has served as head coach twice—with the Detroit Vipers in the IHL during the 2000-01 season, and with the Cincinnati Mighty Ducks in the AHL from 2002-2005.
“Went to talk with Danny about what the plan was for the next nine games, went back to my desk, and tried to remember how to be a head coach.”
—Brad Shaw on what the process was for him preparing for this game as HC#LetsGoFlyers
— Siobhan Nolan (@SGNolan) March 28, 2025
3. Cam York Was Benched, but the Flyers’ Defense Held Firm
There was an odd sight during warmups: Cam York, in full gear, going through his routine like any other night. But when the game started, he never hit the ice. The official word? A “disciplinary issue.”
Brad Shaw says that Cam York did not play tonight because of a “disciplinary issue.” Said that the plan is for him to play next game. #LetsGoFlyers
— Siobhan Nolan (@SGNolan) March 28, 2025
There was no elaboration from Shaw, but whatever happened, it was serious enough for York to get a front-row seat to the action without actually playing. Given how much responsibility he carries on the blue line, it was a bold move—especially considering the Flyers were already facing a tough workload against a fast Canadiens team.
But credit where it’s due: the rest of the defense stepped up. With one fewer body in the rotation, every blueliner had to log heavier minutes, and they handled it well. The pairing of Nick Seeler and Travis Sanheim held things down, while Jamie Drysdale, Emil Andrae, and Egor Zamula all did their part to keep the defensive wall solid. And despite some inevitable breakdowns, the Flyers’ defense did enough to keep the game from slipping away.
“I think I played with everyone!” Sanheim joked postgame. “The D-core stepped up huge. It’s not easy to have five guys and have to play more minutes than they’re used to…I’m just really proud of the guys sticking together. We made mistakes, had tired legs, but we battled through and I’m really happy about it.”
Final Thoughts
Some wins feel routine. Others carry a little extra weight. This one? It felt downright cathartic.
After everything that happened—the firing of their coach, the questions surrounding York, the gut-punch of Michkov’s near hat trick—the Flyers emerged with a well-earned victory. It was the kind of game that proved that even without playoffs, every guy on this team has something to play for.
“We have eight games left,” Nic Deslauriers said postgame. “There’s some people playing for contracts, some people playing to stay in the league. We all have something to play for, and if it’s not just for yourself, it’s for the guy beside you. We stick together.”
They’ve played good hockey lately without getting rewarded. This time, they got what they deserved.And if nothing else, it showed that this team isn’t going anywhere. They’re still here. They’re still battling. And when they’re playing their brand of free, creative, energetic hockey, they’re still a force to be reckoned with.
Read the full article here