Bruins Fall 2-0 to Flyers, ‘A Lot of Things for Me to Take Out of These Kinds of Games’

PHILADELPHIA –– The Boston Bruins fell 2-0 to the Philadelphia Flyers on Thursday at Xfinity Mobile Arena.

​It marked the third of four exhibition games for the B’s. Boston opted for a younger lineup. The Flyers, on the other hand, showcased the majority of their veterans for their home crowd.

“It was not easy for our guys. They had a pretty good lineup. They battled, though; I give them that,” head coach Marco Sturm said. “We had a little better push in the second period there, but one of those shots or chances has to go in if you want to stay alive. Unfortunately, we didn’t.”

Matvei Michkov put the Flyers up 1-0 with a backhander at 4:02 of the first period, and his team carried the lead into the third period after a scoreless middle frame from both sides.

Philadelphia extended its advantage at 2:57 of the third with a tally from Cole Knuble to bring the contest to its final 2-0 standing. Despite the loss, Sturm finds value in the game.

“Always, I do like those games because now we can see against really good players, really good teams, how they handle those kinds of situations as well,” Sturm said. “Not just on the ice but off the ice – body language, you name it. There’s a lot of things for me to take out of these kinds of games.”

James Hagens skated on the second line with Dans Locmelis and Lukas Reichel. The 19-year-old forward finished the night with a team-leading five shots and one block through 20:36 of ice time. Locmelis has also impressed at this training camp. He logged four shots through 18:49 of ice time. The 22-year-old forward underwent shoulder surgery in March, committed to the rehabilitation process and has come back stronger than before.

“Felt good. Just sad our line couldn’t score a goal. I think we had plenty of chances,” Locmelis said. “It feels like it’s been forever. Like I said, I’m enjoying every day. Really happy to be here, so enjoying the moment…The first [training camp], I didn’t know what to expect. I was kind of nervous, too. [I came] into this one way more confident. I had six months to physically prepare for the camp, and I think I came in pretty ready.”  

Michael DiPietro started in his second preseason matchup and kept things close for the B’s. He made 14 saves in the first period alone and posted a total of 26 stops following his 30-save performance on Sunday.

“They were pretty top-heavy up front. I think when those skill guys come in the lineup, you can never take it for face value,” DiPietro said. “I think they can always make that extra play and extra pass, so just making sure I set myself up for success. Just making good reads and staying on my feet as much as possible was definitely a key tonight. It was a lot of fun to battle out there and a good learning experience.”

DiPietro played for all 60 minutes of Thursday’s matchup, as he did in his first preseason game against the Capitals.

“You can’t really replicate in-game scenarios when you’re doing practice or even half a game. Those pressure points in a game where you need a big kill or come up with a big save at a timely moment,” DiPietro said. “It’s always good when you get the reps in a full game.”

The Bruins will close out their exhibition-game schedule on Friday when they face the Washington Capitals at Capital One Arena for a 7 p.m. puck drop.