As the Philadelphia Flyers prepare to battle the New Jersey Devils in the 2024 Stadium Series at MetLife Stadium on Saturday night, we’re taking a look back on some of the most memorable moments of the Flyers’ prior outdoor contests.
Shayne Gostisbehere snaps 33-game goalless streak in 2017 Stadium Series
In his first outdoor contest, Shayne Gostisbehere rifled home his first goal in 33 games during the 2017 Stadium Series at then-Heinz Field in Pittsburgh.
After a superb rookie season, Gostisbehere’s sophomore year was marred by inconsistency but this goal was one of a few bright spots.
Gostisbehere’s first, and to date only, outdoor tally pulled the Flyers to within a goal before they ultimately fell 4-2 to the Penguins.
Daniel Carcillo fights Shawn Thornton in 2010 Winter Classic
At 12:01 of the first period in the 2010 Winter Classic, Daniel Carcillo and Shawn Thornton participated in the first outdoor fight in NHL history.
In a heavyweight bout as exciting as they come, Carcillo landed a right hand to the Bruins enforcer that sent him to the ice, earning the decision.
Wayne Simmonds hits Brian Dumoulin, scrum ensues in 2019 Stadium Series
In his final game as a Flyer, Wayne Simmonds tattooed Penguins defenseman Brian Dumoulin against the glass, sending him to the ice.
The Penguins took major exception to the hit and all hell broke loose as everyone in black and gold wanted a piece of Simmonds, who would’ve taken them 5-on-1 if he had the chance.
Simmonds’ hit was deemed legal but he and Penguins blueliner Kris Letang were each given unsportsmanlike conduct penalties for their actions following the hit.
James van Riemsdyk becomes last player to tie Flyers outdoor point-scoring record in 2021 NHL Outdoors at Lake Tahoe
Despite the 7-3 defeat to the Boston Bruins at Edgewood Tahoe Resort, forward James van Riemsdyk tied the Flyers’ outdoor single-game and all-time scoring records with three points in the contest and four overall.
van Riemsdyk tallied two assists before scoring a power play goal at 12:45 of the third period. His three points matched Jakub Voráček’s three-point (1g, 2a) outing from the 2019 Stadium Series as the most in an outdoor game. JVR’s four outdoor points as a Flyer ties him with Voráček, Claude Giroux, and Sean Couturier for the most in team history.
Brayden Schenn scores first NHL goal, Claude Giroux scores just 1:55 later in 2012 Winter Classic
In the first outdoor game hosted in Philadelphia, Brayden Schenn nabbed his first NHL goal just over halfway through the second period to give the Flyers a 1-0 lead.
Less than two minutes later, Claude Giroux roofed home a beautiful backhand by Henrik Lundqvist to give the home team a 2-0 lead, his first marker in an outdoor contest to cap off the first two exterior goals to be scored in Philadelphia.
Despite the two-goal advantage, the Flyers eventually lost 3-2 to the New York Rangers at Citizens Bank Park.
Danny Syvret scores first NHL goal in 2010 Winter Classic
Just 4:42 into the second period, defenseman Danny Syvret – a Flyer of just 27 games – scored his first NHL goal and the first outdoor goal in Flyers history against the Boston Bruins in the 2010 Winter Classic.
While Bruins goaltender Tim Thomas was preoccupied with Scott Hartnell at the front of the net, Syvret blasted a shot that found its way in, much to the chagrin of the Bruins.
The goal gave the Flyers a 1-0 lead before they allowed a late third period goal and ultimately fell 2-1 in overtime.
Flyers score twice to force overtime in 2019 Stadium Series
After pulling Brian Elliott for an extra attacker down by two goals, James van Riemsdyk slammed home a dirty rebound past an outstretched Matt Murray to pull the Flyers within a goal with just 3:04 remaining in the third period.
Then with 19.7 seconds left, Jakub Voráček scored the final outdoor goal of his career in epic fashion as he simply fired a wrist shot from the far boards through the legs of Jack Johnson and through a stunned Murray to tie the game in front of a sold-out crowd at Lincoln Financial Field.
Claude Giroux’s 2019 Stadium Series overtime winner
Arguably the most revered goal in recent Flyers history, Claude Giroux capped off the team’s epic comeback in the 2019 Stadium Series in overtime by darting into the offensive zone on the left wing, cutting back to the middle, and sending a laser through Matt Murray after making Justin Schultz fumble his stick to give the Flyers their first ever win outside.
For Giroux, it was his fourth outdoor point – tied for the franchise lead – and his 11th regular season overtime goal as a Flyer, the most in franchise history.
