Flyers force Game 7
Flyers 5, Sabres 4 (OT)
Flyers force Game 7
Rich Hofmann, Daily News Sports Columnist
BUFFALO -- We have been talking about the Flyers and their goaltenders for a quarter-century now -- but maybe never more than now.
Six games. Three different starting goalies. Sergei Bobrovsky begat Brian Boucher, who begat Michael Leighton -- and none of them could avoid a meltdown.
It has been the story of the series. But, somehow, the Flyers are still alive. Trailing by 2-0 and 3-1, they came all the way back to tie the game at 3-3 in the second period on Danny Briere’s second goal of the game and fifth of the series. Then they tied it at 4-4 in the third period on a goal by Scott Hartnell. And then, on their 48th shot on goal, at 4:43 of overtime, Ville Leino scored the goal that sends the series, amazingly, back to Philadelphia for a Game 7 on Tuesday night.
The day began in mystery. Who would start Game 6? It was reminiscent of a time long ago. In the late 1970s, Roger Nielson was coaching the Toronto Maple Leafs. One day, he was fired by their crazy owner, Harold Ballard. But the reaction from the players and the media and the fans was so strong that Ballard changed his mind -- except that he kept that little bit of news between him and Roger.
In the hours leading up to game time, Ballard tried to convince Nielson to walk out as the mystery coach, with a bag over his head that he would then rip off once he got behind the bench. Nielson refused.
It was with the same kind of mystery that Flyers coach Peter Laviolette treated his Game 6 goaltender -- after Boucher was chased from Game 5. There was no paper bag over the head this time, either -- it was Leighton.
In the end, it didn’t matter.
Leighton was brutal in the first period, just as Bobrovsky had been brutal in the first period of Game 2 and Boucher had been brutal in the first period of Game 5. He allowed three goals on eight shots.
The first, a wrist shot from the face-off dot by Rob Niedermayer, beat Leighton over his glove; clean enough. But the next two were messy, messy affairs -- a bouncing puck courtesy of Thomas Vanek on which Leighton kind of fanned in traffic, and then another goal that Vanek just sort of shoved through Leighton’s legs from in close.
Both of the Vanek goals were on the power play, but that didn’t really matter. The Sabres had three and the Flyers had only one, despite having 17 shots in the first period and about 10 legitimate scoring chances. The goal came as most of theirs come these days, from Danny Briere on a rebound.
In the meantime, there was another mystery for Game 6 -- whether or not defenseman Chris Pronger would play after being MIA for more than a month while recovering from a broken hand. As it turned out, Pronger did play -- but only on the power play. And it was while he was parked in front of the net, fencing with big Sabres defenseman Tyler Myers, that Pronger received a slashing penalty. It was during that 4-on-3 advantage that Vanek scored the Sabres’ third goal.
Anyway, Boucher started the second period in goal and the Flyers stormed back. Just 49 seconds into the period, James Van Riemsdyk fired one past Ryan Miller off of a faceoff to make it 3-2. Then, with the Sabres’ Jordan Leopold off for holding, it was Briere again, a slap shot from the top of the left circle that beat Miller cleanly while Van Riemsdyk was doing his best to be a distraction in front.
So it was 3-3. Just as in Game 5 of the series, the Flyers had surmounted the obstacle that their starting goaltender had built. But then it began to slip away. At 13:06, Kris Versteeg took an unnecessary slashing penatly. At 13:57, Mike Richards took a bad boarding penalty. The Sabres had a 5-on-3 advantage for 1:10 -- and the Flyers killed it off.
It should have energized them -- but just a few seconds later, the Sabres’ Nathan Gerbe came in on a rush and snapped off a shot that was slightly deflected by the stick of Flyers defenseman Sean O’Donnell. Boucher waved at the puck. It was 4-3, Buffalo.
That is how the third period began. Boucher made a couple of big saves early in the period, on Tyler Ennis and Gerbe, to keep the deficit realistic. Then, at 10:43, just after the expiration of a power play, Richards managed to shovel a pass over to Hartnell, who scored into the open side of the net.
It was 4-4. All of the goaltending hysterics had been overcome, again.
Sixer's......Flyer's.......Phillies.........how sweep it is!
Miami Heat Suck.— flyerdup- I think that they should start Hextall...— Remember Tim Kerr
- Haven't seen snipemorris around today— comusosan
- Nice win today boys and nice of you guys to bail out your coach. I watched Lavi's post game press conference & this was not the usual smug and dismissive coach. I am quite sure that Homer under the direction of Mr. Snider had a very brief and pointed conversation with him. Lavs almost blew this series w/ Leighton and I'm not mad at Leighton. He had no business being in there today. Laviolette is now on borrowed time - another mistake or two and Tocchett will be at the helm next season.— Northcountry
- wow really. yea one mistake and people are already calling for his departure. its people like you who have no business talking hockey.— theeman1
- If the Flyers lost this game because of Leighton, I would have fired Lavy...Leights was terrbile and wasn't prepared. How could he have started him...big mistake and Boosh bailed him out. I like Lavy, but that was a critical mistake, along with no playing Nick Z the first game.— FLYGUY31
- Wow what a great day... Flyers, Phillies and Sixers all win. Happy Easter! I really believe the Flyers can win game 7, starting Boosh with Bob as back up is the obvious choice like many of the earlier posts said. We can take 'em, I never count the boys out because that's when they can suprise you. Go Flyers!— flyers&philliesfan
- lavvy got bailed out he learned from his mistakes. Z is in, bouch is in, flyers will win game 7. The guy coached us to within 2 games of the cup! I mean who would be a better coach?— theeman1
- Friend I'm 54 years old and have been a season ticket holder for over 19 years in both buildings. My seats are in section 104. I've also played collegiate hockey. I can assure you that I know my hockey and can further assure that Lavi is on very thin ice. I've watched Ed for 40 years and he has fired men much closer to him and more important to this organizations history than Lavi.— Northcountry
- The hospitals in Philly must be overwhelmed with all the casts they have to put on today from all the bandwagon jumpers....are you kidding me! Richards better watch is back, and keep his head up next game. That was as cheap as it get's, and he could of paralyzed the guy. You( filly fans) were all set to run Boucher out of town on a rail, and now your ready to give him the key to the city. Miller is going to stonewall you next game for another shutout, Richards will wake up when the finals start after being clocked......"GO SABRES"— boe39
- even the announcers on nbc were saying you don't put your head down in a play like that. if connelly had gotten right up there wouldnt have even been a call. its a shame hes hurt but it wasnt a dirty hit nor was it suspension worthy. let the sabres spend the whole game gunning for richards...they can only seem to score garbage goals so that means we may actually shut out a team if they arent paying attention.. sabres goaltending is light years better than the flyers but every other aspect the flyers are much better. enjoy game 7 i will be there in my 10 and 0 richards jersey so buffablo has no chance...eat it. — mc62strat
- Wow Boe, you are a Boenified idiot, this isnt non check beer league, richards came in and put what was supposed to be a clean check on connelly until he pointed his head into the boards and dropped like he had been shot by a sniper rifle, this isnt basketball, hockey players hit each other, by the way no hateon basketball gotta love the sixers getting at least one win — joeflyertime
- "..as cheap as it get's (sic).." - REALLY???
How about Gaustad dumping Briere at the faceoff circle?
How about Miller and Weber BOTH mugging Carcillo?
How about Myers cross-checking Hartnell in the back multiple times while he lay face down on the ice?
How about the slash to Coburn's "boys"?
Oh, what do they all have in common? - NO PENALTIES WERE CALLED!!!— uncle meat - Two tough playoff teams - Go Flyers; Sunday = Super Sweep Day!— M60tanker
- As good as they finished last year, and played 1st 3/4 of this year, never thought I'd read a headline for 1st round series . . . "Flyers force game seven . . .", like we were a cinderella or something.— wordsword
