The New York Rangers might have won the first game of the Rookie Series against the Philadelphia Flyers, but it was Matvei Michkov who stole the show. Flyers fans came to PPL Center on Friday night to watch Michkov and the 19-year-old phenom surely did not disappoint. He was all over the ice making flashy stickhandling moves, attempting shots from impossible angles and even played a physical brand of hockey. In the second period, Michkov scored his first goal as a Flyer, a moment he will never forget. "I'm happy because my family could see my first goal," Michkov said. "That goal was for my family." There was an atmosphere at PPL Center on Friday night that is extremely uncommon for any rookie game. Fans seemed to be enamored by Michkov as he didn’t just play well, but he displayed his skills in a way that screams showtime. Michkov is box office and that was made very clear throughout that game. "He's a special player and you can tell," Ian Laperriere said. “Everybody likes to play a lot, but he's in great shape, so he can handle it. He made plays on the power play, 5-on-5, plays out of nothing. That's a special gift that he has got.” Sean Avery Illustrates Rangers Perfect Shift Fans roared in excitement when the announcement of Michkov’s goal came in and when he was called upon in the shootout. Michkov has a chance to revive the Rangers and Flyers rivalry and that’s something exciting to think about.
