Flyers Sһut Down Duсks іn Cutter Gаutһіer’s Fіrst Gаme іn Pһіlаdelрһіа

The chants came early, and they came loud. Their contents varied — some were profane, some were directed in support of the player who replaced him as a symbol of hope, some were just a simple but effective “BOO.” But the message was universal and clear — vitriol directed to 20-year-old forward Cutter Gauthier.

Travis Konecny, Philadelphia Flyers (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

Just 368 days ago, Gauthier’s status changed from the likeliest candidate to be the future first-line center of the Philadelphia Flyers to public enemy number one. A trade during the first period of a Flyers game in their same home building sent Gauthier to the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for Jamie Drysdale and a second-round pick. That only began the story, though, with the Flyers insisting that they were being spurned for no reason combating insinuations of wrong-doing from the other side.

But the Wells Fargo Center hosted a hockey game, not a roast, on Saturday night. And following their worst performance of the young 2025 on Thursday, the Flyers bounced back in a big way, finishing a season sweep of the Ducks with a dominant 6-0 performance in front of a boisterous crowd.

Game Recap

As hatred swirled amidst the spectators, those focused on the game itself saw a Flyers team on the top of its game early on. The Flyers peppered John Gibson with eight shots in the first six minutes, one of which Morgan Frost directed from the slot into the back of the net for an early ice-breaker.

The second half of the period was largely unspectacular for both sides, but Anaheim opened the door when Ryan Strome tripped Frost on the forecheck. Another great pass from Konecny turned into a goal, buried by who else but Gauthier’s replacement as a blue-chip player in the Flyers’ organization, Jamie Drysdale.

The first few scrums of the night ensued between that goal and the end of the first period, the second of which coming just after the final horn and putting Philadelphia back up a man as Ross Johnston received the extra minor. Seven combined players were in the two penalty boxes to begin the second period.

Most of the middle frame was about physicality, though, with multiple unpleasant gatherings throughout the middle frame, some involving Gauthier, others not. But the Flyers continued their strong play between the whistles through the period, with Konecny picking up his third primary assist of the night by hitting a streaking Owen Tippett for a rush one-timer late in the period.