Michkov Scores, Flyers Fall in Rookie Game Opener to Rangers

The rookie games are usually the culmination of rookie camp for the Flyers. This season, the group of prospects hit the ice for game action just two days into camp. That was plenty of time for Matvei Michkov to make an impact.

The Flyers top prospect scored in his long-awaited debut, as the Flyers ultimately fell to the New York Rangers rookie squad, 4-3, in a shootout on Friday night at PPL Center.

The Rangers opened the scoring early in the first on a power-play goal by Adam Edstrom. With just over a minute to play in the period, the Flyers evened things up as Alexis Gendron scored by deflecting a Spencer Gill shot.

Midway through the second, Michkov put the Flyers ahead with his first goal in the Orange and Black. On a 5-on-3, Michkov took a quick feed from Jett Luchanko below the goal line, and waited out goaltender Dylan Garand before tucking the puck over the line to make it 2-1.

A second goal for Edstrom made it a 2-2 game in the second.

The Rangers took the lead with just over 12 minutes remaining in the third. Kalle Vaisanen re-directed a chance on a two-on-one to put the Rangers back in front. The Flyers tied the game back up with 14.4 seconds remaining in regulation, as Massimo Rizzo put home a rebound.

The game went to a shootout where Brennan Othmann scored the lone goals as J.R. Avon, Michkov, and Luchanko were stopped for the Flyers.

Carson Bjarnason played the entire game in goal, making 28 saves on 31 shots. Garand made 38 saves on 41 shots.

Ian Laperriere, who is serving as head coach for the rookie games, announced after Friday's game that Michkov will not play Saturday, as expected. It is anticipated that Sam Hillebrandt will be in goal for Saturday's game.

Saturday's game will be at 5 PM at PPL Center and also be streamed on the Flyers website.

Kevin Durso is Flyers insider for 97.3 ESPN. Follow him on social media @Kevin_Durso.