All signs suggest Steve Mason will start in goal for Game 4

The identity of Friday’s starting goalie is still uncertain. Credit: Getty Images

A half-empty Wells Fargo Center stirred — just a little bit — midway through the third period Tuesday night.

Though the Flyers trailed 4-1 after a Daniel Carcillo goal got passed Ray Emery, Flyers head coach Craig Berube elected to put Steve Mason in net for the final minutes of Game 3.

“It’s good to get back out there,” Mason said. “I haven’t played in I guess almost two weeks or so, and it was nice to get my feet wet again and I look forward to maybe the next game.”

The simple fact that Mason was dressed and ready to go implies he is healthy enough to go in Friday’s Game 4.

And after Emery’s magic ran out, it seems almost a foregone conclusion he will start.

“Yeah I think that’s what [Berube] was trying to do,” Mason said. “Like I said, it’s been awhile since I’ve had some game action. You can practice as much as you want but once the game rolls around, things happen quickly and you can’t control everything out there, so it was good to get back out and get the eight or so minutes under my belt.”

But not so fast. Breube, following the loss, was adamant that he had not made his decision yet and would not make one until the team practiced a few times, Wednesday and Thursday in preparation for their home game Friday night.

“We will look at it. We have a couple days to figure out, get some practice time and then I’ll make a decision.”