Jaromir Jagr makes wild comeback in Philadelphia Flyers exhibition matchup against Detroit Red Wings
National Hockey League (NHL) legend, Jaromir Jagr, was highly thrilled at making his major league comeback after having signed a one-year deal with Philadelphia Flyers worth $3.3 million earlier in July.
The 39-year-old finally got his chance on Friday in Philadelphia’s preseason exhibition matchup against Detroit Red Wings, in which he scored a goal and picked up an assist to lead his team to a 3-1 victory.
After spending three years playing with European leagues like the Russian Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) and for his Czech Republic national team, Jagr was worried that adjusting to the American ice hockey style of play would take time getting used to.
"I just want (to use this time to) getting used to the North American rinks (again)", Jagr told the media in Detroit on Friday. "The North American game and European game are two totally different games with the same rules. You have to skate a lot more,
skate differently and you cannot be that aggressive. Most of the teams play the trap (in the NHL), and it's more aggressive in Europe".
Detroit’s, Fabian Brunnstrom, opened up the shooting by scoring the match’s first goal at 4:23 off of a pass by Patrick Eaves.
James van Riemsdyk levelled the matchup with his third of the preseason with less than three minutes remaining to go. Jaromir Jagr followed it up by his first to take the lead less than a minute later with a diversion from Scott Hartnell.
Red Wings failed miserably to take advantage of a number of power play opportunities as Tom Sestito went out twice with a minor penalties and Mike Testwuide received a five-minute major for checking from behind along with a 10 minute game misconduct.
Matt Read finalised the contest when he scored midway through the second period unassisted. Both teams remained scoreless during the last period allowing Philadelphia to take the match.
"I thought my game was always on the boards", Jagr said. "I felt I was strong enough to hold the puck and play 1-on-1”.
Fortunately for Jagr, readjusting was not as difficult as he thought before, but will he be able to continue with the same dedication as before is the question on everyone’s mind for next season.
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