The Philadelphia Flyers suffered a heartbreaking loss against the Utah Mammoth, conceding a late lead and ultimately falling 5-4 in overtime on March 15, 2024. Leading 4-2 going into the third period at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, the Flyers allowed the Mammoth to rally, with Clayton Keller scoring twice to secure the victory.
Flyers’ head coach Rick Tocchet expressed his frustration with the team’s performance in a postgame press conference. “That’s unacceptable what happened tonight,” he stated, emphasizing the need for the team to improve under pressure. “We stunk in pressure situations,” Tocchet added, highlighting that some players failed to rise to the occasion when it mattered most.
The Flyers began the game strongly, racing to a 3-0 lead by early in the second period. Christian Dvorak was a standout performer, scoring two goals, while Cam York and Bobby Brink also contributed to the offensive effort. However, the momentum shifted dramatically in the third period.
After a power-play goal by Barrett Hayton narrowed the Flyers’ lead to 4-3, Keller capitalized on a defensive lapse, scoring the equalizer with just 35 seconds left in regulation. In overtime, Keller struck again at 2:01, sealing the game for the Mammoth and leaving the Flyers to ponder what went wrong.
Tocchet’s disappointment was palpable as he remarked on the critical moments that slipped away. “We’ve got to get that out of our system. We unraveled, and we’ve got to put the pieces back,” he said. One pivotal moment came when Garnet Hathaway missed a chance to score into an empty net, a misstep that Tocchet chose not to address directly with the player, stating, “He knows it.”
The Flyers’ inability to maintain their lead was echoed by goalie Sam Ersson, who acknowledged the skill of the Mammoth. “Most parts of the game we did a good job. After we went up 3-0, they were going to make a push,” he noted, reflecting on the late-game pressure that ultimately proved too much for the team.
Despite the loss, Dvorak remained optimistic about the Flyers’ overall performance. “I thought for the most part we were the better team,” he said. “It stings. We could have been a little more aggressive in the third period. Definitely something to learn from.”
The Flyers had a bright start, with the first period showcasing some of their best hockey of the season. York opened the scoring just 30 seconds into the game, capitalizing on a rebound from a shot by Travis Sanheim. Dvorak doubled the lead at 4:36, demonstrating his offensive capabilities. Brink’s power-play goal early in the second period solidified the Flyers’ dominance early on.
However, the Mammoth responded with two quick goals, first from JJ Peterka and then from Lawson Crouse, narrowing the Flyers’ lead to just one goal. Tocchet’s timeout aimed to regroup his players and successfully led to Dvorak’s second goal shortly after, restoring a two-goal cushion.
The game also saw Owen Tippett leave the ice after a collision with Utah’s Liam O’Brien. Although Tippett was evaluated for a possible concussion, he returned to the game without any reported issues.
Looking ahead, the Flyers will complete their three-game road trip with a matchup against the Colorado Avalanche. The loss to the Mammoth serves as a stark reminder of the challenges ahead, as Tocchet and his team strive to correct the mistakes that led to this disappointing outcome.
