Despite all of the changes in this past off-season, the Philadelphia Flyers have begun the 2006-07 OTHL season as one of the hottest teams in the entire league. With today’s 4-1 over the struggling Ottawa Senators, the team moves to 9-4-2 on the season, just one point behind the Florida Panthers for first place in the Eastern Conference. Out west, only the Anaheim Ducks have a superior record.
The success has been surprising considering the organizations poor depth at the centre and defence positions. After a slow start, right winger Brian Gionta has been on a torrid pace as of late, and is fourth in team scoring with six goals and four assists for a ten-point total.
Milan Hejduk leads the club in points, but when it comes to putting the biscuit in the basket the surprising leader is left winger Andrew Brunette. Five of his goals have come with the man advantage. In reality, scoring has come completely by committee, with Hejduk, Gionta and Miro Satan all with six goals respectively.
On the blueline, the load has been carried by Niklas Lidstrom and Willie Mitchell, both of whom have compiled seven points. Rookies Freddy Meyer and Alex Picard have been rock solid, and, for some bizarre reason, the coaching staff has forced Nathan Dempsey to ride the pine, playing youngster Rob Globke in his place for all but three games this season.
The job between the pipes has been tough, but well done. Toskala has a 8-4 record with a pair of shutouts and a 2.34 goals against average. Chris Mason won his only start, and has a sparkling 0.66 GAA in his two appearances. Coach Ken Hitchcock has hinted that he will play significantly more games as the team moves deeper into the season.