Michkov shines as Flyers rookies fall to Rangers, 4-3, in exhibition game

Following an 80-mile bus trip north of the teams’ Training Center in Southern New Jersey, the Philadelphia Flyers rookies hosted the New York Rangers in Allentown, PA for the first game of two exhibition contests this weekend. An entertaining, albeit sloppy, hockey game followed between the youngsters for the rivals from the NHL’s Metropolitan division.  

When the final buzzer sounded, the Flyers rookies were on the wrong end of a 4-3 final score in the shootout. All three Flyers shooters, including Matvei Michkov, were denied on the skills competition attempt. New York Rangers first-round pick Brennan Othmann scored the lone goal past Flyers goalie Carson Bjarnason to give New York the exhibition victory. 

All Eyes on Michov’s First (Flyers Exhibition) Game

Flyers first-round pick from 2022, Matvei Michkov, was selected by Head Coach Ian Laperriere to appear in Friday night’s contest. The 19-year-old did not disappoint in his first game action in the Orange and Black. The fans at PPL Center in the Lehigh Valley were treated to a dynamic display of stick handling, hockey smarts, and incredible hockey vision from the Russian teenager. 

Midway through the second period, Michkov delivered what Flyers fans hoped to see on Friday night by stuffing a loose puck across the goalline for a Flyers score.  With a 5-on-3 man advantage, Jett Luchanko made an incredibly high-awareness pass from the slot to Michkov below the goalline after receiving the puck from Massimo Rizzo. Matvei Michkov stickhandled in a phonebooth somehow finding enough ice to tuck the puck across the thin red line behind a sprawling Dylan Garand.  A fired-up Russian teenager dashed towards the corner throwing his hands into the air in celebration after his first unofficial NHL goal. 

Wearing a bright Orange Flyers tee, the young forward spoke to the media following the game with the help translator, friend, and Flyers teammate, Egor Zamula. “It is such a nice feeling to score my first goal,” Michkov said. “It’s a very good feeling for me to score goals. Not happy we lost today, but every game we (do) a little bit better.”

The Flyers rookies only had one practice and a morning skate before last night’s exhibition contest so there will be many more practices to refine the process moving forward for Philadelphia. 

Forwards Luchanko & Rizzo are impressive as well

Michkov was not alone in the first exhibition contest in Allentown, PA. The Flyers forward was joined by several other notable prospects for Philadelphia such as 2024 first-round choice, Jett Luchanko.  The two high-caliber forwards looked dynamic in a very limited sample size against the New York Rangers Rookies. 

Jett Luchanko’s pass on the second-period Michkov goal was such a heads-up play. In a split second, Luchanko read the path of both defensemen to determine that a wide-open passing seam to the goal line was available to #39 (Michkov). 

Outside of the assist, Luchanko played well off the skills of Michkov and was noticeable in the chip-and-chase game retrieving the puck in the offensive zone.  While it’s only the first rookie scrimmage, it would be surprising if Jett Luchanko does not get a series look to make the 2024 NHL roster during next week’s training camp. The Flyers 2024 first-rounder can play 9 NHL games before his entry-level contract begins under the slide rule.

Another Flyers forward impressed on Friday night as Massimo Rizzo played a strong game against New York. The young forward notched an assist on the Michkov goal in the second period. Rizzo tied the game, 3-3, with 14.4 seconds remaining on the clock and the Philly net empty to force overtime.

With time winding down, defenseman Oliver Bonk slapped a one-timer toward the net that was fought off by the Rangers goaltender who was unable to control the rebound. Massimo Rizzo wasted no time slamming the puck past a surprised netminder to send the Flyers-heavy crowd into a frenzy. 

Exhibition Game #2 Tonight w/o Michkov

‘The Flyers and Rangers rookies will battle again this evening at PPL Center in Allentown, PA. The start time is a bit earlier than yesterday will a 5:05 pm puck drop in the Lehigh Valley. The game will be streamed on the Philadelphia Flyers website with Brian Smith and Jason Myrtetus calling the action from the home of the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. 

Philadelphia announced that Matvei Michkov will not be part of the roster second game in the Rookie Series against the New York Rangers. However, several other participants at the 2024 Rookie Camp will be looking to make a name for themselves and should provide more entertaining hockey action on this mid-September evening. The rosters for the game this evening have not been released as of press time.

The Philadelphia Flyers begin training camp next week and open the NHL season in 27 days.