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Rookie goalie Lyon steps up for Flyers after Neuvirth goes down

Jim McIsaac / Getty Images Sport / Getty

An injury suffered by Michal Neuvirth during Sunday's game against the New York Rangers prompted Philadelphia head coach Dave Hakstoll to turn to rookie netminder Alex Lyon.

The 25-year-old stopped 25 of 26 shots in two periods of play to earn the win for the Flyers, and with Brian Elliott already on the shelf, he could be in line for full-time duty if Neuvirth is ruled out for any length of time.

"That could be the case. (Or) maybe they trade for two guys and I’m sent down to (the AHL) tomorrow," Lyon said after the win - his first - according to Sam Carchidi of Philly.com. "In professional hockey, in professional sports in general, you just don’t know.

"So I’m going to take confidence from that (victory). I’ve said it all along: I’m just taking it one day at a time and working as hard as I can. That’s the best approach."

Lyon, who went undrafted after excelling at Yale University, posted a record of 15-8-2 with a .911 save percentage in 26 games for the Lehigh Valley Phantoms this season.

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