In a season where just about anything can and has gone wrong for the Flyers, it should not surprise anyone that Thursday’s 1-0 Flyers shootout loss in St. Louis was historic on several fronts (see game story).
For starters, it marked the first time in either team’s history where the two clubs played consecutive games (a year apart) in the same building and neither team scored in regulation nor overtime. Also, in both games, T.J. Oshie scored the game-winner.
The goalies, however, were different. Last year, it was Ray Emery versus Ryan Miller. This time, it was Steve Mason vs. Brian Elliott.
“As it was going on, and 0-0 and you can recount every game you have been part of, backing up or playing, it crossed my mind the last time we were there it was the same situation,” Mason said. “Unfortunately, we came out on the wrong end of it again.”
He wasn’t the only one having flashbacks.
“It reminded me of last year’s game,” said coach Craig Berube. “To be honest, last year we had more offensive chances in the game than this year. Same type of game. Tough game, physical. It was battle.”
Since the shootout began, this represents only the third time where two teams have played scoreless hockey to the shootout on more than one occasion in the same building.
It also happened with St. Louis at Los Angeles and Phoenix at San Jose. Neither of those were consecutive visits for the road team.
From the Flyers' standpoint, this was the 14th game in club history that was 0-0 after regulation and overtime.
That scenario occurred five times between 1968 and 1982, prior to the advent of overtime. It happened three times between 1993 and 2003, before the advent of the shootout.
Overall, this was the sixth time since the shootout was implemented in 2005 where 0-0 unfolded.
This was also the third time the Flyers have had such a game against the Blues. In addition to last season’s loss, the teams played to a 0-0 tie on October 26, 1969. That’s really go back far.
Now for the coup de gras: Steve Mason has lost two 1-0 shootout games this season. He actually has more road shutouts this season (two) than he does road wins (one).
“Yeah, it doesn’t happen too often,” Mason said. “Obviously, I’d like to have more wins on the road. Situations like that from a personal standpoint, you have to laugh it off and push forward. That’s all you can do.”
Mason is 1-10-6 on the road this season with a 2.76 GAA and .907 save percentage.
“It’s unfortunate for sure, because he had a helluva of a performance,” Berube said. “We couldn’t get him a goal.”