Flyers Player Called Out For Diving in Overtime That Allowed Edmonton Oilers to Win

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Liam McCormick
October 16, 2024 (3:05 PM)

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The Oilers snuck out a greasy and much needed overtime win against the Flyers, and Edmonton can give a little thanks to defenceman Travis Sanheim.

The Flyers defenceman made a rush toward the net in the first minute of overtime, and after a light check from Connor McDavid he was flying into the end boards. Sanheim was down and out of the play as it went down the ice, and Leon Draisaitl was able to walk in with ease to score the winning goal. Sanheim comes into the defensive zone just afterward after his error arguably cost his team the game.

Oilers fans and Flyers fans alike have pointed out that Sanheim appeared to really sell the contact from Connor McDavid to draw a penalty. Regardless of his intention, Sanheim took himself out of the play completely, and he was supposed to be covering Draisaitl on the winning goal.

The Oilers had a tough night with the referees, but thankfully escaped this play without McDavid being assessed a penalty. Some hockey fans did argue that the Oilers Captain should've got a tripping penalty, but plenty of Flyers fans have said that this wasn't a penalty, and placed the blame on Sanheim needing to stay on his feet in such a critical situation.

Anyone who has ever watched a NHL overtime has seen the major swings in back and forth rush chances when a player falls out of the play, and giving that chance to the Edmonton Oilers usually results in a loss. Sanheim needs to stay in his feet, and ready to for the play to flip, so this is entirely his fault.

The Oilers found a way to crawl back into the game and when their elite players had the game on their stick in overtime, they didn't miss. If they can find a way to string together a few more wins, they'll soon eliminate the narrative of a slow start.