How the Flyers see progress through frustration

WINNIPEG, Manitoba — Jake Voracek is still joking around.

He hasn’t scored in 13 games this season and, in his words, “it’s kind of getting ridiculous.”

Heading into Friday’s action he was tied for eighth in the league in shots with 50. Every player ahead of him had at least three goals. The Flyers are the second-worst team in the league in terms of goals scored per game and Voracek’s line is supposed to be producing.

“In the end, I’m getting paid a lot of money and eating up a lot of minutes to produce for the team and (I'm not doing) that this year,” said Voracek, who has four assists. “I know nobody gives a damn about what I’m going through. I’ve got to find a way. I’m a professional.”

Friday after practice, the Czech star had a smile on his face and was cracking one-liners, even if it was in self-deprecation. Only a few days ago coach Dave Hakstol noticed the frustration in Voracek, among others.

“I didn’t sense it (Thursday in a 2-1 overtime loss to Calgary),” Hakstol said. “I thought he was moving, playing and there was a little bit of fun back in the game. Not all the way back, but a little bit of fun back in the game for him.”

Back East, the Toronto Maple Leafs are struggling, too. Nazem Kadri has one goal on the season, but none in his last eight games. Maple Leafs coach Mike Babcock used Voracek as a poster child for getting out of a slump.

“I notice there's a real good player in Philly who has no goals,” Babcock told reporters Friday, “I bet he has just about the same that (he always has) at the end."

The Flyers agree with Babcock’s assessment: it’s only a matter of time.

“It’s not going to come tomorrow,” Claude Giroux said. “Not everything’s going to become great tomorrow. It’s a process. It’s a lot of work and we’re ready to make the work.

“You can see some games we’re working hard, but we’re working wrong. When you get frustrated sometimes you start forgetting how to play. I think we just need to relax and play the game.”

After the Flyers’ fourth overtime loss of the season Thursday night, the team said they saw progress. They saw it in their effort level. They saw it in attitude.

The NHL is a results-driven business, though. The Flames allow more goals on average than any team in the league and the Flyers could only muster one tally. The Flyers’ power play is now 0-for-16 across the last seven games.

“Our record is not what we want it to be, but as a team we’re trying to get an identity,” Giroux said. “To get an identity you need to go in every game and not take one game off. The message is starting to get there. Guys want to win here. We just need to work together.”

Hakstol, the rookie coach, has tried to focus on the positives and that’s not entirely just to spin the way things have been going.

“Just like the other way around,” he said. “When things are going well, you better catch yourself because it’s usually not as good as you think and it’s usually not as bad as you think.”

So far, his team hasn’t had to worry about catching itself.

Mason feeling better

Goalie Steve Mason wasn’t seen on the bench during Thursday’s game. He quarantined himself to a room by himself so none of his teammates could catch the sickness he is battling.

“Getting better,” Mason said as he sniffled after Friday’s practice. “Everybody gets sick. It was just my turn.”

Mason hasn’t played the last two games and Michal Neuvirth has done well in the interim. On the season he has a 2.13 goals-against average and .919 save percentage. Mason’s numbers, 3.34 GAA and .902 save percentage, aren’t quite as good.

Usually the starter for the Flyers, Mason sounded like he’d be backing up Neuvirth again as the Flyers finish their roadtrip against the Winnipeg Jets.

“I’d like to play (Saturday),” Mason said. “I’m not sure what’s going to happen, but at the same time I haven’t played a lot of hockey in the last little while so it might be good to get some practice time under my belt as well.”

Loose pucks

Michael Del Zotto did not practice. He said he will be able to go Saturday and he just had a “maintenance day.” … Sam Gagner is likely to replace Vinny Lecavalier in the lineup. Lecavalier’s lowlights Thursday were high-sticking teammate Brayden Schenn and turning the puck over, which led to the Flames’ first goal. He was benched the entire third period.

Dave Isaac; (856) 486-2479; disaac@gannettnj.com .