Flyers Suffer OT Preseason Loss to Bruins, But See Strong First Impression From Brian Elliott

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BOSTON - The last time Flyers goaltender Brian Elliott started a game, things ended quickly and didn't end well.

Starting for the Calgary Flames in Game 4 of a Western Conference first-round series last April against the Anaheim Ducks, Elliott gave up one soft goal on three shots and was pulled 5:38 into a 3-1 series-ending loss.

It was only preseason, but Elliott made a Flyers debut that helped him forget that lackluster performance and get off to a fresh start with his new team Thursday.

Elliott stopped all 18 shots he faced during his two periods on the ice in a 2-1 overtime loss to the Boston Bruins at TD Garden (see observations).

"Yeah, it felt pretty good," Elliott said. "Just trying to see pucks and basically get acclimated in a game situation. We haven't seen that in camp at all. So playing a game is fun, to get back in there, you forget how actually fun it is to play a game."

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The Flyers signed Elliott to a two-year, $5.5 million contract on July 1 for more than just fun. They want him to combine with Michal Neuvirth to give them the type of successful goaltending tandem they've lacked for a while.

Elliott, in turn, wants to prove they were wise to move on from Steve Mason and bring him in. Elliott had some highlights during his season with the Flames, including an 11-game winning streak and a 2.16 goals-against average and .927 save percentage over his last 21 games of the regular season. In the playoffs, he was a bust with an 0-3 record and .880 save percentage.

In addition to getting back into action, Elliott wanted to impress his new team.

"A little bit. You just want to play the same anyways, doesn't matter what team you're on or how long you've been with the guys," he said. "But for sure when it's your first time, you want to make a good impression. You only get one first impression, right. But it's just a stepping stone, working towards that first game of the season here."

The Flyers had several power plays early in the first period and Elliott wasn't tested much until he gloved a shot from Bruins forward Anders Bjork on a 3-on-2 at 8:46.

After a television timeout, the Bruins put more pressure on the Flyers and Elliott remained sharp. He blocked away a point shot from Brandon Carlo and then gloved Bjork's attempt on the rebound from the slot at 9:18.

Elliott made 10 saves in the first period.

During a power play early in the second period, Elliott had to be at his best as the Bruins kept the puck in the attacking zone for the first 90 seconds. Elliott made five saves during the penalty kill, including two difficult ones on Bruins center Patrice Bergeron from around the slot.

The Flyers' attack picked up the pace in the second half of the second period and took some of the heat off Elliott. He had earned the respite and then coach Dave Hakstol switched to Alex Lyon to start the third.

Hakstol has seen Elliott live up to the Flyers' expectations so far in camp and in his preseason debut.

"I think he got in early and I just think I've seen every day at camp him kind of building his game," Hakstol said. "I don't think he tried to come in with a finished product on Day 1. I think he kind of started on the ground floor of building his game, obviously, after a good summer. And every day he seemed to ... kind of build his game. His last couple of days of practices have been really good, really clean and he carried that into the game tonight. So it's a good start for him. It's nice to see that."

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