Philadelphia Flyers’ Samuel ersson reportedly leaves game due to dehydration; Travis Konecny for illness

As first reported by NBC Sports Philadelphia broadcasters Jim Jackson and Brian Boucher, and later confirmed by coach John Tortorella, goaltender Samuel Ersson was forced to leave the team’s game on Thursday against the Vancouver Canucks after cramping due to dehydration.

Forward Travis Konecny also was left the game late in the third period while battling an illness.

The Flyers still managed to hold on for the 4-1 win, with Carter Hart finishing the third period in relief of Ersson. Ersson had saved 18 of 19 shots sent his way in 42:36.

Ersson, 24, was originally drafted 143rd overall by the Flyers in 2018. He has had a solid first full season in the NHL with Philly, recording an 8-4-2 record with two shutouts in 15 games. Ersson lost his last start against Nashville on Dec. 21, but is 8-1-1 over the past 10 games as the Flyers have found themselves in serious playoff contention again.

Konecny, meanwhile, had an assist in 14:55 of ice time before leaving the game. Tortorella later confirmed that Konecny’s illness was related to the one that knocked players out prior to the Christmas break. Konecny is Philadelphia’s top scorer with 28 points in 34 games, putting ihm on a career-best trajectory of 39 goals and 68 points.

It’s unclear if either player will be available on Friday, although with it being a back-to-back, Hart was projected to start tonight’s game against the Seattle Kraken regardless.

The Flyers sit second in the Metropolitan Division with a 19-11-4 record with 42 points in 34 games. They have a 7-1-2 record in the past 10 games, the best of any team in the Eastern Conference in that span. A

fter facing off against Seattle on Friday, the Flames will close out the 2023 calendar year with an 8:00 PM ET contest against the Calgary Flames. They’ll remain in Alberta to challenge the Edmonton Oilers on Jan. 2.