After being traded to the Philadelphia Flyers organization on Friday, defenseman David Jiricek made it to Lehigh Valley to make his debut with the Phantoms on Saturday.
It was a quick turnaround for Jiricek, who was with the Iowa Wild before.
Saturday’s game was at the PPL Center in Allentown against the Charlotte Checkers.
The Phantoms were down 4-0 at one point in the game. They were able to claw their way back, bringing it to a 4-3 game. Then, with under 5 minutes to go in the game, the Flyers new prospect tied it up.
Jiricek tied the game at four with a power-play goal, his first as a Phantom.
The Phantoms went on to lose 5-4 to the Charlotte Checkers in overtime. Despite the loss, the Flyers new prospect is already making his impact felt.
Jiricek finished the game with 4 shots on goal and a -1 +/- .
It was the exact kind of game expected from the Flyers new prospect. He did not turn in a clean defensive performance. His skating still needs vast improvement. The Checkers first goal came after Jiricek hit the deck and gave a clear lane to the net.
At the same time, he did everything he was expected to do offensively, and came up with a very timely goal.
Jiricek will be very fun to watch in Lehigh.
Read More:Â Flyers Trade Bobby Brink to Wild for Former Top-10 Pick David Jiricek; Full Analysis