Laughton Looking to Re-Gain Confidence

Scott Laughton (right) was reunited with Taylor Leier (left) this weekend with Lehigh Valley. Photo: Nina Weiss/Highland Park Hockey

Laughton Back With Flyers After Lengthy Injury Absence

Written by: Tony Androckitis - Twitter/Facebook

Scott Laughton was back practicing with the Philadelphia Flyers Monday after just two games in the AHL with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms on a conditioning loan this past weekend.

The main focus of his two-game conditioning stint in the AHL was simple - get his legs under him with some solid ice time and also start to re-gain confidence in his game.

Laughton was limited in both games with the Phantoms last weekend, playing on the fourth line wing Friday night and centering a makeshift line Saturday night with Taylor Leier and Colin McDonald. Laughton was held off of the Phantoms' special teams units and it showed in the 2nd period of Saturday's Game - Laughton had but a few shifts the entire period.

"The first game was a little tough trying to get my legs under me," Laughton said of Friday night's game in Providence. "I felt better as the game went on [Saturday]. Felt better in the third for sure - that's kind of when I got going. But every period I felt better, so I'm just trying to move forward."

Laughton tallied two points (one goal, one assist) in two games with the Phantoms before being back up to the Flyers, scoring an empty net goal Friday night. He also had the primary assist on Colin McDonald's game-winning third period goal Saturday night in Allentown, playing on a line with McDonald and Taylor Leier.

"[Leier] set me up there in the third. Just a blocked shot and [McDonald] came in and scored," Laughton explained. "It was nice being on a line with [Leier] - we're really good buddies," he added. "We played all season together two years ago."

Laughton looked and felt more comfortable in Saturday's game against Springfield, particularly in the third period with the Phantoms trailing 4-2. After the game, he spoke about trying to get back to where he was last season with the Flyers.

"I think confidence is a big thing in this league and the next level, so just trying to get my confidence back," Laughton said after Saturday's game. "Playing in the middle of the ice where I'm comfortable was good to get back into the swing of things. It just felt good to get back in a game. I haven't played in a game in a really long time. I was itching to get back so it was nice to be back with these guys."