In a game filled with world-class talent, Sam Ersson put on a show Monday night, guiding Sweden to a 2-1 win over Team USA–its first of the 4 Nations Face-Off. The Flyers’ goalie was unfazed and put on a spectacular performance in front of the Boston crowd, but most notably, his coach, John Tortorella, who was on the American bench.
BOSTON, MA - FEBRUARY 17: Teammates flock to congratulate Team Sweden goalie Samuel Ersson (30) after a 4 Nations Face-Off game between Team Sweden and Team United States on February 17, 2025, at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire)
Team USA was riddled with injuries. Charlie McAvoy and Matthew Tkachuk were scratched from the start, and some in-game injuries to the Americans, including Brady Tkachuk, weakened their attack. Despite that, Team USA remained a stacked team. Ersson showed a level of poise, one he has shown all season and turned in one of his best games of the year. The Swedish netminder will remember his 32-save game against Team USA forever.
Picking Up Where He Left Off
Ersson was not supposed to be on the Swedish roster, but an injury to Jacob Markstrom led to the Swedes needing another netminder, and Ersson’s play picked up at the right time. Out of the holiday break, Ersson went 8-2-0 in his first 10 starts.
Linus Ullmark was feeling ill Monday, and the game was meaningless for the Swedes, so Ersson got the nod. He made the most of his opportunity and picked up right where he left off with the Flyers season.
It’s like beating a drum at this point. Ersson has been nothing shy of fantastic for Philadelphia since the holiday break. In 14 starts post-break, Ersson has allowed three or fewer goals in 12 of the 14 and two or fewer in 8 of the 14 (one is the SJ game, which he exited early). The Flyers are 9-2-1 in those 12 games where Ersson allowed three or fewer goals and 7-1 in the games where he allowed two or fewer goals.
In the game, Ersson faced an abundance of shots, 33 to be exact. Facing a team whose roster is made up of some of the best in the NHL, that is not a small amount. Especially when he only let one past him. That one goal came in the first 35 seconds of the game. Ersson played 59 minutes and 25 seconds of scoreless hockey against a talented American squad.
He certainly got some help from the post. America has five shots ring off the iron. That doesn’t mean Errson did force them towards the post on a couple of those chances. Two goals should not have won the game for the Swedes, but Ersson put on a clinic and helped his team find the win.
Bittersweet for Torts
Monday night had to be bittersweet for Tortorella. It is never fun to be on the losing side of a game, and I am sure Tortorella hated every second of losing that game. However, it had to be nice to see your goaltender do what Ersson did.
The Flyers’ bench boss is one of Mike Sullivan’s assistants on the American coaching staff. He has been on the receiving end of Ersson’s excellent play. The Flyers’ netminder has kept them in the position to win games. He has helped them win games that could have been losses. Now Tortorella knows what it’s like to face Ersson during this hot streak.
While it stung at the moment, I am sure Tortorella will look back on Monday with pride. What his goaltender accomplished Monday night was nothing short of great.
What’s Next for Ersson
With 25 games remaining in the season, Tortorella said Ersson will get “a lion’s share” of the remaining schedule. With Ersson looking to earn the number one role moving forward, he must build off the positive momentum he built in the 4 Nations Face-Off.
