In what was likely final game as a Philadelphia Flyer, Wayne Simmonds received quite the send-off.
After storming back from a 3-1 deficit in the third period of the Stadium Series match-up, captain Claude Giroux potted the overtime winner to defeat their cross-state rivals, the Pittsburgh Penguins, in front of almost 70,000 fans at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia.
Following every victory, the Flyers hand out their player of the game helmet. Giroux received the honours but felt he was an undeserving of the bucket, so he passed it off to Jakub Voracek, who was instrumental in the comeback, finishing the game with one goal and two assists.
Voracek refused to accept the helmet, handing it off to Simmonds after an emotional speech inside of the dressing room.
“It quite possibly could [have been my last game with the Flyers],” Simmonds said. “I don’t know what’s going to happen. Obviously, I’d like to stay here, but it’s out of my hands now.”
Simmonds has spent the last eight years in Philadelphia and became a symbolic figure of the team by enduring himself to the fan base for his bruising style and pugnacious scoring ability. He finished the game with two PIMs, three hits (including one that concussed Penguins defenceman Brian Dumolin) and one block in 13:41 of ice time.
