PPL Center, Allentown, PA | Saturday, September 13, 2025 | 5:05 PM ET
Final Score: New York Rangers 5, Philadelphia Flyers 2
Game Summary
The New York Rangers bounced back from their overtime loss on Friday to defeat the Philadelphia Flyers 5-2 in Game 2, splitting the 2025 Rookie Series at the PPL Center. Unlike the previous three years where both games required overtime, this contest was settled in regulation as the Rangers controlled the pace for most of the evening. The game featured several lineup changes for both teams and showcased different storylines than the thrilling opener.
Scoring Summary
First Period
- Early – Scott Morrow (NYR) – Power Play – Assists: Brennan Othmann
Second Period
- Early – Jackson Dorrington (NYR) – 4-on-4
- Mid-2nd – Ethan Samson (PHI) – Assists: Nikita Grebenkin, Austin Moline
- Mid-2nd – Jaroslav Chmelar (NYR) – Power Play
- Late 2nd – Alexis Gendron (PHI) – Assists: Nikita Grebenkin
- Late 2nd – Noah Laba (NYR) – Assists: Brennan Othmann
Third Period
- Late 3rd – Gabe Perreault (NYR) – Empty Net
Goaltenders: Carson Bjarnason (PHI) / Joey Costanzo (PHI), Callum Tung (NYR)
Key Storylines
Lineup Changes and Roster Management
The most significant storyline entering Game 2 was Philadelphia’s lineup changes. After a great showing on Friday night, the Flyers gave Denver Barkey the night off as he is heading to training camp, which also likely explains why Oliver Bonk never appeared.
Nathan Quinn and Austin Moline entered the lineup, with both making their rookie series debuts. Moline immediately made an impact, earning a secondary assist on Ethan Samson’s goal after winning a puck battle along the boards.
Goaltending Split
Carson Bjarnason split the final exhibition with Joey Costanzo, giving the ATO prospect his first rookie series action. Costanzo denied a quality chance on a breakaway by Othmann, with his positioning between the pipes providing a favorable shift of energy for the Flyers.
Early Rangers Control
Unlike Friday’s back-and-forth affair, the Rangers established control early. The opening 10:00 was spicy between Philadelphia and New York, with many sticks up high after whistles and crowding netminders, which tilted the scales in favor of the Rangers during the first period.
Brennan Othmann settled in on the power play, finding Scott Morrow in the slot, who uncorked a one-timer past Bjarnason for the 1-0 lead.
Individual Standout Performances
Nikita Grebenkin (PHI) – Two-Assist Performance
Grebenkin earned the primary assist on the only two Flyers goals from Saturday. It was an impressive night for the prospect, especially when there was not much of anything else going on. His playmaking ability was on full display as he consistently created opportunities for his teammates.
Ethan Samson (PHI)
The defenseman provided Philadelphia’s first goal and was one of their most consistent performers. “One of his greatest strengths is his shot. It was just a good goal in general… He can shoot the puck in the net. Last year with us for the Phantoms, I think he led our team in power play goals,” noted head coach John Snowden.
Alexis Gendron (PHI)
Gendron scored for the second time in as many games, showing consistency and finishing ability. His goal came after Grebenkin moved the puck into the offensive zone, and Gendron picked up where Grebenkin was separated from possession, beating Tung with a quick shot.
Jack Nesbitt (PHI)
Despite the loss, Nesbitt continued to impress the coaching staff. “I thought he was very good. I thought he was really good yesterday [Friday]. He made a couple plays on entry where he beat a couple guys one-on-one… He shows his flash with his hands at that size,” praised Snowden.
Spencer Gill (PHI)
The young defenseman showed resilience and hockey IQ. “He had a lot of good moments… he’s got a lot of poise with the puck. He defends well. He does a little bit of everything really well,” according to Snowden, who noted Gill’s continued development despite missing significant hockey time.
Tactical Analysis
Rangers’ Systematic Approach
New York showed better game management compared to Friday night. They took advantage of special teams opportunities and didn’t allow Philadelphia to build the same momentum that characterized their comeback victory in Game 1.
Power Play Effectiveness
The Rangers’ power play was the difference, scoring twice on their man-advantage opportunities. Scott Morrow’s one-timer and Jaroslav Chmelar’s power play goal provided crucial momentum shifts that Philadelphia couldn’t overcome.
Flyers’ Discipline Issues
Philadelphia couldn’t stay out of the penalty box, giving the Rangers multiple power play opportunities. Hunter McDonald and Ty Murchison watched from the penalty box during critical moments of the game.
Coaching Perspective
Head coach John Snowden provided honest assessment of the performance: “They [New York Rangers] won 5-2. I didn’t think it was a great hockey game by either side if you really look at it. It was pretty sloppy and what you kind of expected [from] this type of game; back-to-back games.”
Key Moments
Second Period Momentum Swings
The second period featured multiple lead changes and momentum shifts:
- Jackson Dorrington’s 4-on-4 goal after Philadelphia got caught deep in the offensive zone
- Samson’s response to cut the deficit in half
- Chmelar’s power play goal that restored New York’s two-goal lead
- Gendron’s quick response to keep Philadelphia within reach
- Othmann’s setup to Laba that effectively sealed the game
Series Context
Similar to the 2024 Rookie Series, the Flyers split with the Rangers. Instead of each game requiring an extra session of hockey, however, New York handled Philadelphia in regulation. This marked a departure from recent trends where both games typically went to overtime.
The series concluded with both teams claiming victory once: 4-3 Flyers on Friday (OT), 5-2 Rangers on Saturday.
Looking Forward
The players now return to their respective training facilities for the continuation of their Rookie Camps preceding their regular Training Camps.
Lehigh Valley Phantoms Schedule:
- Training Camp begins September 28
- Away preseason game at Hershey on Wednesday, October 1
- Home preseason games: October 4 vs Wilkes-Barre/Scranton and October 5 vs Hershey
- Opening Weekend: October 11-12 with a weekend homestand against the Belleville Senators and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, featuring Rally Towels and Phantoms Trading Card Sets
Final Assessment
Game 2 served as a valuable learning experience for both organizations. For Philadelphia, the game highlighted areas for improvement including discipline and defensive zone coverage, while also showcasing the continued development of players like Grebenkin, Samson, and Nesbitt.
For New York, the victory demonstrated their ability to respond after a tough loss and execute a more systematic game plan. The Rangers’ power play efficiency and ability to capitalize on Philadelphia’s mistakes proved to be the difference.
While not as thrilling as Game 1’s overtime classic, Game 2 provided coaches with different evaluation opportunities and showed the depth both organizations possess in their prospect pools. The series split ensures both teams head into training camp with positive momentum and valuable game experience for their developing players.
The contrast between the two games – Friday’s comeback thriller versus Saturday’s more controlled affair – perfectly encapsulates the unpredictable nature of prospect hockey and the value these exhibition games provide for organizational development and evaluation.
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