Well-rested Mason withstands Avalanche for a pivotal shutout
PHILADELPHIA >> Steve Mason, proud owner of his 32nd career shutout, perhaps never quite had one like this.
Not one that came after he’d ridden the bench the previous six Flyers games. Not one that came the night before he quite possibly could get his next career trade notice.
“It’s been a tough month,” Mason said Tuesday night after posting a 4-0 shutout over the lowly Colorado Avalance, a win he hopes will at some point represent a turning point for him and the Flyers. “A lot of practice time, and when you’re getting a lot of practice time and not getting any game action, practices become tedious. So it was nice to get back out into some game action, and the boys in front of me provided me with some pretty good support in the first period.”
Presumably, Mason was talking about his Flyers teammates rather than his Colorado helpers.
The Avalanche suffered their 41st loss in their 61st game of the season, taking another step at locking down the favorite’s role in the NHL’s spring lottery draft.
They’re not very good at the puck game these days but they could have the edge in the pingpong thing. And not that it’s related or anything, but on this night that the Flyers welcomed the Avs to town (probably with flowers and candy), they suddenly were able to score four times, with three of those goals coming in the of the game.
Three goals in a little more than 10 minutes for these same Flyers who had managed three goals total in only three of their previous 10 games. And the last time they scored more than three in a game? It was Jan. 12 against Vancouver, 18 games previous ... way back when the Flyers were still playoff contenders.
“I’m sure we’re going to be saying that pretty much every game, that they’re all must wins,” said Mason, who after sitting behind Michal Neuvirth for the past three weeks turned away 33 Avalanche shots. “It’s tough to make up ground with three- or four-point games, and everybody (in the Metropolitan Division) playing each other so often. For us, we just have to focus on one game at a time and understand the importance of each, regardless of whether it’s in the conference or out of the conference.
“Just kind approach.”
That’s pretty much how Mason approached this assignment, only his second start in the last 11 games. Somewhat slow and deliberate.
“(In the) first period I didn’t feel that sharp, with just movements and everything,” Mason said. “But the only thing for me was I was reading the play well and that kind of saved me on a couple of instances. Definitely nice to get back out and play a game.”
Getting a fast three-bolt jolt from his offensive teammates was nice, too. Wayne Simmonds scored during a shorthanded first of 10 have minutes the slow situation, and then again on the power play. It seemed like Simmonds had tallied again on a power play at 10:35 of the first, so much so that the hats rained down ... something you don’t see a whole lot of at Wells Fargo Center.
When it was realized the goal would actually go to Jake Voracek — whose shot hit a Colorado skate instead of Simmonds’ stick before bouncing past overwrought Avs goalie Jeremy Smith — well, there weren’t too many regrets it wasn’t a hat trick goal.
“I just play my game no matter what,” Simmonds said. “Whether I’m scoring goals or not scoring goals, I’m doing the same thing no matter what.”
What he wouldn’t do is feel bad for any fans who sacrificed a hat.
“What am I supposed to do, give every single person their hat back?” Simmonds said. “It’s not my fault. Sorry.”
Of course, the Flyers have precious little time to apologize for anything. All they have left are slim hopes and a daily mandate to just win.
It’s not the best position to be in, not for playoff hopes or for immediate career fortunes for monied players with expiring contracts ... players like a Steve Mason.
“I think he’s been great ever since he got here,” Simmonds said of Mason. “I remember when Mase got traded here in the lockout season (in 2012). Everyone was doubting him. He came in and he was our backbone from day one. He was great and he continues to be a great goalie in this league. We’ve got no doubt whether we have Neuvy in net or Mason in net.”
It would stand to reason that if general manager Ron Hextall gets the chance prior to the 3 p.m. trade deadline Wednesday, it could be that either Mason or Neuvirth would be heading elsewhere.
That Mason was able to put that reality aside and play like he did on this night made his shutout all the more impressive.
“It’s definitely a little tough when your name is thrown everywhere,” Claude Giroux said. “But you have to be a professional about it and he’s been that. He obviously played a good tonight.”
*** Simmonds wasn’t the only one to have to work his way through questions about lost hats for fans who wrongly thought they had witnessed a three-goal trick by Simmonds. Voracek had to answer for it, too. He did so in typical style. “I hope it’s the last time I get booed after I score, let’s put it that way,” Voracek cracked. “I thought Simmer had it, but he told me he didn’t touch it, so I was like, ‘Oh my God, this is going to be interesting.’
“I hope some fans won’t throw rocks at my car when I’m going home.” game
*** In addition to Simmonds’ two goals and Voracek’s accidental tally, the other Flyers goal was scored by rookie Jordan Weal. It was his first career NHL goal. And he had to sit through a review before the goal was confirmed.
“You know, if it happened, it happened,” Weal said. “If it didn’t, it didn’t. It was a close one but I’m glad it went in and we get the two points.”