Despite reports to the contrary, Flyers prospect Shayne Gostisbehere has not been shut down for the season.
Not yet, anyway, general manager Ron Hextall said after the Flyers’ 3-1 win over the St. Louis Blues (see game recap).
“A decision has not been made,” Hextall said. “I know it’s been released up in Allentown there, but there’s a process going on here, and we’re not through it yet. Shayne sees our doctor down here in about two weeks. Something will come out of that. Has there been talk of shutting him down for the year? Yes, there has. But the final decision has not been made.”
Gostisbehere suffered a torn ACL Nov. 7 after playing just five games with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. He’s been skating, but not taking any contact, for about a month.
The 21-year-old defenseman told the Allentown Morning Call he would be shut down and was “a little disappointed” at the news. Phantoms coach Terry Murray told reporters Gostisbehere was “done.”
But Hextall says he has no idea how both player and coach got that idea.
“I check with all our people, and no one knows who told [Murray] it,” he said. “It’s been talked about, so maybe he took all the talk definitively. But a final decision hasn’t been made. Yeah it’s been talked about, and yeah it’s a possibility.”
For those who made it …
The snow kept plenty of fans — and media members — from attending Thursday night’s game.
But those who braved the elements were rewarded. After the game commenced, the Flyers gave out free tickets to anyone who arrived via SEPTA. Everyone was treated to free hot dogs, pretzels and soda refills.
In all, 12,531 fans made it to the Wells Fargo Center to watch one of the Flyers’ top efforts of the year.
“Weather like that, 12,000 is amazing,” Mark Streit said. “They showed up and supported us, and it was still a great atmosphere, when we scored those goals. Great fans in Philadelphia. I thought it was a great game to watch.”
Battle of the blue line
The St. Louis Blues are — and have for a while — been known for their defense. The Flyers, not so much.
But on Thursday night, it was the home team’s blueliners that were particularly impressive. Not only did they help the team to victory and assist in keeping the Blues’ power play scoreless, but they contributed to the score, as well. It was Michael Del Zotto’s second-period goal that tied the game, 1-1.
“Obviously we’ve got a special group here back on defense,” Carlo Colaiacovo said. “Playing in St. Louis for five years that I did, we were known for being good puck movers and playing well structurally, playing stingy defense. You kind of got two different comparables that you’re working with.
“Here we’ve got some really highly skilled offensive guys that can make plays with the puck, and do great things when they’re out there. They’re a very good team, and I think we’re a really good team too.”