Flyers win a wild one
Flyers 5, Sabres 4
Flyers win a wild one
Rich Hofmann, Daily News Sports Columnist
Desperation comes in all shapes and sizes. It wears many colors. Sometimes, we now know, it is played out to the accompaniment of circus music.
After losing Game 1 of their opening round playoff series to the Buffalo Sabres, losing Game 1 at home in a 1-0 shutout, the Flyers’ predicament was pretty plain. And what ensued on Saturday evening at the Wells Fargo Center was nothing short of wild. The first period alone featured six goals and 10 penalties. By the latter stages of the second period, there was talk that a sufficient of penalty box transactions might take place to mandate a second page on the official score sheet -- bad for the environment in 2011 but a once-a-week phenomenon in 1971.
There were altercations. There were goal reviews. There was the sight of Flyers center Claude Giroux laughing in the face of Buffalo’s 5-foot-5 forward, Nathan Gerbe, as Gerbe tried to rough him up. And, perhaps most meaningfully, there was a switch in the midst of the first period carnage from Sergei Bobrovsky to Brian Boucher in the Flyers’ goal.
Oh, and the Flyers won, 5-4.
They took control of things, finally, by scoring twice in a 2-minute span in the second half of the second period. First, Ville Leino scored a power play goal, breaking an 0-for-11 streak with the man advantage dating from the start of the series. Then, Danny Briere niftily redirected a shot by Scott Hartnell past Buffalo goaltender Ryan Miller.
That made it 5-3. The Flyers had a half-dozen power plays in the second period, including almost 2 minutes total with a 5-on-3 advantage, and then -- predictably enough -- had to kill off a series of penalties in the third period. Buffalo scored once on a deflection by Cody McCormick at 6:12, and there were several stretches where the Sabres appeared to be poised to tie it up.
But Boucher was very good, and that was that. And now Flyers coach Peter Laviolette has something to think about for next time.
The Sabres return home for Game 3 on Monday night having accomplished what they needed to accomplish. As for the Flyers, well, it is hard to know what they accomplished -- other than the avoidance of an 0-2 hole in the series, which would have been a disaster.
Truth be told, they might have played better in the game they lost. There are no style points in the playoffs, true enough. The series is tied and we all will move forward from there. Getting the win on Saturday was paramount, and the Flyers got it, and that is the ultimate truth.
Still, for the Flyers, digitally ditching the video of Game 2 might not be the worst idea.
Giroux is a big game player. He was flat out dominant.— Jack Burden- BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOSH!
— specterlaw - Finally scored on the PP. Just need Pronger back!— psurockz35
- In Boosh we trust! Entertaining game, perfect to watch on a cold, rainy Saturday.— jmanship16
- What a fun game to watch. Pretty much had everything you could ask, especially a FLYERS WIN!!— 1980
- See what happens when Giroux shoots? Still needs to shoot more... Did I mention that Carter sucks? Bob needs to be sent to the shore...the arcade is opening soon... Rock on Booooosh.....— Flyerfan666
- Boucher did a splendid job out of the bullpen for the Flyers. JvR and Giroux also played strong games— JSaq
- Where is the committee that feels the flyers must go 82-0 and win every game 6-0?— gob1234
- Ummm....none of those goals were Bobrovsky's fault, and anyone who thinks he is not the best goalie to ever play hockey, doesn't know anything about anything......Sorry, just trying to beat PhillyMike and FlyerFan4Life to the punch on that one. Leighton should backup Boucher. Bobrovsky should be thankful that he isn't carrying his own equipment in a low level russian rec league. Experiment over.— Hexy4GM
- Hey man, which is worse? Giving up three quickies in the first round or giving up three quickies in the Finals? Watch Leaky in action: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=83itZmpVma0&feature=relmfu
- I would rather have the guy that gets to the Stanley Cup Finals. You would rather have the guy who has never won a playoff game in his life, and has been pulled in half of his career NHL playoff starts. That explains a lot. — Hexy4GM
- If being pulled explains a lot, Leaky was pulled in 2 of the six finals games. He gave up three Flyer leads in game one, choked for two Hawk goals in 28 seconds in game 2, three Hawk goals on eleven shots in game 5 and, of course, the never to be forgotten Patrick Kane super softee in game six.
- so in 6 games Leighton did all those things? Bobrovsky must be way better. He gave up that many leads, and got yanked in only 2 playoff games. How can you honestly believe that he is the best option for this team to win, and still call yourself a Flyers fan? — Hexy4GM
- One for 10 on the power play, with two chances at 5 on 3. That, my friends, is just bad. I love my Flyers to death, but I now have my doubts about this squad. Go Flyers...but please get your act together.— Hexfoliation
- WE will take the win, JVR was outstanding playing physical and grabbing a goal. Bosh has to start game 3, he played a solid game and hopefully built some confidence. I just wish Carter would start burying some of these opportunites......bring on game 3.....GO FLYERS!— PhillyfanCanadianflavor!
