Not only did the Flyers lose to Boston on Saturday afternoon, but they also lost goaltender Steve Mason for up to 2 weeks. Mason suffered a lower body injury in the first period of the game against the Bruins.
Mason missed some games in December due to an upper body injury. He returned to form this week helping the Flyers to 2 wins.
‘Obviously he’s the No. 1 guy and we want him back,’ said Flyers GM Ron Hextall. ‘You never know how much of a set back it is until the guys that are replacing him play, so obviously it’s not what we want. It’s a tough break for our hockey club but it is what it is and we’re going to deal with it.’
This is a hockey club that is currently 11 points out the final playoff spot. They face some of the conference’s best teams this week when they play the Tampa Bay Lightning and Washington Capitals. The Capitals are one of the teams Mason beat last week.
In response to Mason being injured the Flyers recalled goaltender Rob Zepp from Lehigh Valley of the AHL. Zepp was called up earlier this season when Mason was injured. He earned the victory December 21 against Winnipeg. He was returned to Lehigh Valley on December 29 and since then has gone 3-0-0 with a 1.90 GAA for the Phantoms.
The Flyers will rely on Zepp and Ray Emery to handle the goaltending duties.
‘We’ll see how things go in the next days. My hunch is that we’re comfortable with the two guys that are going to be here,’ said Hextall. ‘You bring a guy like Zepp in for a reason, in case someone gets hurt, and we’re in that situation now.’
Giroux and Voracek Named to All Star Team
The NHL announced on Saturday that Claude Giroux and Jakub Voracek will participate in the 2015 NHL All-Star game in Columbus.
Voracek will be making his first All-Star appearance. He is currently leading the NHL in points with 50. He has 16 goals and 34 assists. He leads the NHL in assists. Voracek could become the first Flyer since Eric Lindros in 1995-96 to score 100 points in a season.
It will be the third appearance for Giroux in the All-Star game. He also played in 2011 and 2012. He has 46 points on the season (14 goals and 32 assists). He leads the league in faceoffs taken and faceoffs won.
The All-Star game will take place on January 25 in Columbus at 5pm.
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