Boosh is back a winner
Flyers 4, Sabres 2
Boosh is back a winner
Rich Hofmann, Daily News Sports Columnist
BUFFALO -- The chanting started 30 seconds into the game, before Brian Boucher had even seen a shot, and it returned at times through the night. Boo-shay, Boo-shay went the sing-song, and it hung there, mocking, hoping, ultimately pointless.
Because Boucher is back. He is a starting goaltender in the Stanley Cup playoffs again. And in his first post-season start since tearing up both knees during the second round of the playoffs last season against Boston, Boucher was very good, stopping 35 our of 37 shots in the Flyers’ 4-2 victory over the Buffalo Sabres.
The Flyers now lead the opening round series, 2 games to 1. Boucher -- handling the puck, directing traffic, positioning himself calmly and with an economy of movement -- has earned himself another night of work. After that is anybody’s guess.
There are only a handful of active goaltenders with any kind of history in the Stanley Cup playoffs who have a better career goals against average than the 2.18 that Boucher posted going into Game 3. It is literally a handful, people with names (and resumes, and Cups) like Martin Brodeur (2.01), Jean-Sebastien Giguere (2.08) and Chris Osgood (2.09).
Still, Boucher never seems to be able to get a chance, except by either injury or default. It is as if, over a journeyman’s life, that this vagabond reputation precedes him into every situation, that the numbers don’t seem to matter, that the fact that the Flyers don’t win the first-round series against New Jersey without him doesn’t seem to matter.
In this situation, he has been the recipient of an incredible turn of events. It was decided weeks ago that Sergei Bobrovsky would be the playoff starter, and it made some sense. He is more athletic than Boucher but also more erratic -- and the notion that he could come off the bench seemed far-fetched. So they gave him the start and hope he would get hot, riding that athleticism for as long as it would take him.
It took him seven shots into Game 2. And now he is sitting in the press box and watching the games, his nameplate hanging in a teeny-tiny locker in the visitors’ dressing room. He is out and Boucher is in and Michael Leighton is back from oblivion, now the backup after spending a season filled with a back injury and then a minor league exile.
Don’t kid yourself -- Leighton, the starter in last season’s Stanley Cup Final, is not here for the fun of it. This carousel could have another spin or two left in it, and everyone who has followed the Flyers over the years knows it.
Still, as of now, Boucher controls his destiny.
On the Sabres’ first goal Monday night, Boucher really had no chance. On a power play, Buffalo’s Drew Stafford rifled from between the circles and found a spot over Boucher’s right shoulder.
The second goal, near the end of the second period, had a few more fingerprints on it. On a rush, the Sabres’ Tim Connolly fired a shot that Boucher fought off with both hands, leaving a long, inviting rebound that Nathan Gerbe ripped past the goaltender’s glove. That cut the Flyers’ lead to 3-2 at 18:12 and reinvigorated both the Sabres and the chanting at HSBC Arena.
(set italics) Boo-shay, Boo-shay... (end italics)
And then it got interesting.
A key stretch in the game came in the middle of the third period, when the Flyers found themselves forced to kill off a 5-on-3 power play for 1 minute, 15 seconds. In the midst of the siege, Buffalo’s Tyler Ennis rocketed a shot from the doorstep that Boucher fired stopped with his face. Play continued for several seconds, and then Boucher yanked off his helmet and tossed it aside, and then the referee blew his whistle to stop play.
The crowd booed.
Boucher went to the bench for repairs.
The onslaught ended.
Eventually, so did the game -- silently, without any sing-songs.
Seriously???? the ONLY way Bob gets to see the pipes close up again is if Boosh and Leaky fall down the stairs in Buffalo's house after clinching the East Quarter Finals— Flyboyinchitown- THE STRAPMEISTER........The Strapinator.......STRAPORAMA......Boosh, you rock bother!!!— Flyboyinchitown
- Ride Boosh as long as he is on a hot streak, then switch back to Bob. Bringing in Zherdev was a good move, they can put him on the ice as long as the D plays solidly like tonight. On the Buffalo feed they commented Zherdev had done "nothing" shortly before he scored, but I think he was quite good on the forecheck and really tried to work hard, without any defensive lapses worth mentioning.— flyerdommo
- For all of you "Real" Flyers fans...In case you didn't notice (obviously you didn't) Z was a real force tonight. By all accounts, at least from what I saw, he gave everything that the dirty buffs had to give, and then some. I would take him any day over nooooooodle, especially now with our orange and black **S on both lines (blue & red) wanting the cup so badly.You can talk smqck all you want, but I think the Fly Guys have finally said, "Here we go" it's our turn. God help anyone who gets in their way. Mucho kudos to Lavy for putting in Booosh tonight, it was difficult, but it was the right thing to do. This year is OUR year and Booosh will be the man. That's right, you heard it here live on this lame *ss site.....mark it down to history, because it's true.— Flyboyinchitown
- Nice to see Z in the game and Boosh starting. If Lavi doesn't keep playing them then I will seriously question his coaching ability. Z likes to score and Boosh has a calming effect for this team and this game was proof. They played relaxed in the third but stayed in control and they're looking more and more like the team from earlier in the season. Flyers in 5.— Kanayd
- Boosh certainly deserved the #1 star tonight. Buffalo got alot of close in chances and Boosh stood strong against them all.. The one long rebound was his only mistake. All Flyers fans are feeling much more comfortable with tonights win.. Keep the momentum going boys..— bradco
- Do the people who praise Zherdev realize that he only played 8 minutes in the game? He was benched for the great majority of the game. He was constantly pinned in his own zone. Do the people that bash Nodl realize that he led the Flyers in hits in game one? He is a beast. Zherdev is great when he has the puck, and that is it.— Hexy4GM
- I think Nodl gets little respect because people only look for scoring, they don't look at his defensive play, nor his physical play. I like the guy and hope his "upper body injury" is not so serious that he misses any additional games.
Flyers in 6.
- I'm one of your west coast fans. I live in Seattle and only caught half of the second period and then the third. Besides the poor blocker save and ensuing goal, Boosh did well. Lets get this next one Thursday and keep this thing rolling. FLYERS21— flyers21
- not to argue semantics, but Z was born in Kiev which is in the Ukraine, not Russia. He is only a Russian citizen because he was forced to apply in order to play in their country.— robm0202
- As I said after game one-Flyers in six!— hallux
- actually zherdev is of russian ethnicity, but more in the ukraine. Im tired of people always talking trash on him. He makes good plays and was actually backchecking and being physical tonight. He had a great game. I dont want to hear it from any of the boo bird morons who were predicting a first round exit after ONE GAME. you people need to improve your level of hockey knowledge drastically.— theeman1
I have to mention that Braydon Coburn played a strong game and was a huge thorn in the side of the Sabres all night long. Boucher was terrific, especially when the Flyers had to kill a 5 on 3 for over a minute. I am hoping Leino will get it going because he is going through the motions, and making blind passes that create turner overs and opportunities for the Sabres. I am sure he will pick he play up because the man's got skill. GO FLYERS!!!— Phillyflashgordon- Bilb is one to talk about people bashing Zherdev when he spent all afternoon trashing Richie. Still, good win boys. Wasn't pretty but in the playoffs a win is a win. I'll take it for sure. Let's get 'em again wed night!!!— thomaspfoolery
- exactly. he thinks zherdev is a gamer but bashes a proven playoff performer and captain like richards. last night was zherdev's 1st playoff goal ever (in 8 games) and was spoonfed by versteeg & richards. easiest goal ever. at least we now have proof that bilb91 knows nothing about hockey. case closed!
- Nice to see all the positive posts for a change. Go Flyers!— flyers&philliesfan
- Your right,when the Flyers lose there's over 100 comments
within a few hours ,nothing like a couple of wins to clean it up. Go Flyers!— mean mean pride,mean mean pride. - Boosh is so under appreciated by many. Just because he isnt a stud goalie. He is solid, does the job right most of the time(nobodys perfect anyway) and the Flyers would be sunk without him. All I can say is-- BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOSH!!!!!!!!— Big D phillies fan
- Boosh is so under appreciated by many. Just because he isnt a stud goalie. He is solid, does the job right most of the time(nobodys perfect anyway) and the Flyers would be sunk without him. All I can say is-- BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOSH!!!!!!!!— Big D phillies fan
- gotta give Z credit. thought he played hard and while versteeg and richie made that play happen, he put himself in a nice position to score. still waiting for the richards haters to show their faces. think i saw bilb91 & booman try to sneak back on the bandwagon. sorry, no room for hockey morons.— The Boston Strangler
- Gotta give this guy credit. Was a season-ticket holder for Phantoms back in late 90's when they won Calder Cup ('98), and Boucher was starting goalie. Thought he was good for AHL, but prob wouldn't make it to the bigs for any length of time. 13 yrs laters he is impressive and keeps us in games.— deanm828
- Flyers in 5, see you Wednesday!!— Fabulous
- Nice game by Carter. Always good to see Z in the line up, and Boosh stole the show tonight. Go Flyers!— dianne16
- umm, Z is Ukrainian haha. Anyways, he had a solid game I thought and I definitely agree that on most nights I'd rather have Z in there than Nodl. We gotta keep riding him until he loses the fire he has right now. He showed that fire after every benching, so it makes sense to keep him in there. Nodl is a good two way player, but I think we have enough two way guys in the lineup to make up for having an offensive only minded guy like Z in the lineup.— robm0202
- Do the people that bash zherdev even watch the same game? It's like they watch him and wait for the slightest misstep. He played well (way better than Nodl) and had the gwg.— Billb91
- Same question goes for dopes like you that bash richards. Zherdev did NOTHING for the "GWG". He stood there and enjoyed the fruits of versteeg's steal and richards' incredibly mature & patient pass. You're a joke. You love a lazy, soft player like zherdev and claim richards doesn't play hard enough and isn't a good captain. Last night was more proof that you know nothing about hockey.
- The better Russian was in the lineup tonight. Go Z!— snipesmorris
- Boucher did a great job tonight. Had one slip up with the sloppy rebound, but made a few great saves in close. Zherdev scored a tap in, but for the most part he was horrendous. He was pinned in his own zone, and lost in his coverage for most of the game. At least twice he cheated past his defenceman into center ice only to have Buffalo keep the puck in. He is such a selfish player...why doesn't he get it? This is a great place for him to play, if only he would commit to his team mates!!— Hexy4GM
- Hexy, I agree 100% that Boosh did a great job. His quick thinking when the strap on his mask broke was, according to Darren Pang on the Versus telecast, "a move only an experienced pro would make". He gave the penalty killers a chance for a blow when they were down two men.
We were unable to see Zherdev's actions away from the puck. It's rarely possible to see that from a telecast because the cameras always follow the puck, so I'm not in a position to comment on that. But he was hustling when the cameras were on him.
I agree that only playing half the ice is selfish, but again I wasn't able to see that. Perhaps someone who was can comment.
- Come on Hexy. I'm normally with ya, but at least Z buried the puck. You know Nodl would have found a way to hit Miller there. Shortly after his goal, he had a great pass to Richie, who should have scored. The pass there was far from selfish. He has long periods where he disappears, and he is nowhere near perfect, but on most nights I would prefer him over Nodl.
- His selfishness isn't about him not making passes. It is about him flying the zone and waiting for breakaway passes. He needs to tie up the defenceman, and chip pucks out at his own blue line. It has been the reason he has been on the bench all year. It is a lack of desire to be physical. It isn't about throwing hits for him, or fighting. It is about using his body, on the proper side of the puck, and doing what is right for the team. He has the skill to score and make plays when the team is on offence, he just has to care about being on the defensive side of the puck once in a while. He needs to identify his man in the defensive zone. Zherdev is 6'2' and 200 lbs, he is bigger than most other players out there. Take a hit to make a play once in a while! He will be out of the lineup again, as soon as Nodl is healthy. — Hexy4GM
- Great game by Boucher. Can't wait to get Pronger back. Not to nitpick, but our defense gave up a ton of turnovers. This game was won by Boucher— yourdaddy!
- You're not nitpicking, the defense, especially in the first period, was constantly giving the puck away. I think Boosh won the game for hem in the 1st period, and he got better as the game progressed. I hope he starts the next game.
Flyers in 6.
- Big fan of the boost Zherdev provided. Didn't play a ton but is always a dangerous weapon with his offensive instincts. Would like to see him get some power play time. That still needs a jump start. Props to Boosh tonight. Keep healing Pronger!— ant8817
- Boooossssshhhhh!— snipesmorris
- Most fans (not the morons who call themselves fans and are calling for a first round exit, but tonight will post how great the flyers are) posted for a Boucher and Zherdev start. Good call. Go Flyers!— gob1234
- Boosh did a great job. the worst skaters on the ice were the refs, but the Flyers won despite them.— stonelamb
