Giroux takes NHL scoring lead; suspension for Bourdon?
The Philadelphia Inquirer Blog - Flyers Report: Broad Street Bull
Giroux takes NHL scoring lead; suspension for Bourdon?
Sam Carchidi, Inquirer Staff Writer
BUFFALO — Claude Giroux had the third four-point game of his career – and second in the young season – as he sparked the Flyers to a thrilling 5-4 overtime win in Buffalo on Wednesday.
With the performance, Giroux passed Toronto’s Phil Kessel and now leads the NHL with 36 points.
“I’m not too worried about that right now,” said Giroux, who won the game by interception a pass, skating down ice and scoring on a breakaway midway through the overtime. “We’re just trying to play better as a team, and the way we played tonight is the kind of win we like to have.”
The Flyers overcame a 3-0 first-period deficit, and they got goals from Max Talbot, Matt Read, Scott Hartnell, Jaromir Jagr and Giroux.
BTW, no Flyer has ever won the NHL scoring title.
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Giroux has five game-winning goals, tying him for No. 1 in the NHL. He has scored the game-winner in the last three contests.
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In the second period, Marc-Andre Bourdon won a fight against Buffalo’s Matt Ellis. The bout started after the Flyers’ rookie defenseman hit Nathan Gerbe into the boards from behind. Bourdon could be disciplined by the league for the hit.
Gerbe left the game and may have suffered a concussion.After the game, Buffalo coach Lindy Ruff strongly hinted that Bourdon should be suspended.
If that happens, Matt Walker would replace Bourdon, who has been impressive thus far.
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It marked the second time in the last three games that the Flyers had overcome a three-goal deficit and posted a win. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, it’s only the third time in franchise history the Flyers have done it twice in one season.
It’s the first time they have done it with both games being on the road.
On Friday, they overcame a 3-0 deficit and defeated host Anaheim, 4-3, in OT.
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So who starts in goal Thursday against the Sidney Crosby-less Penguins?
My guess: Sergei Bobrovsky. Then again, I thought "Bob" was going to start in Buffalo.
Ilya Bryzgalov notched another win Wednesday, but he continued his inconsistent play.
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Follow Sam Carchidi on Twitter@BroadStBull.
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Wow! This team would win the the Cup if we could only spend the money on a true #1 goalie. Oh wait, that already happened; but where is the true #1 goalie?— specterlaw- Is Miller a #1 goalie? Look at Jagr's goal.— road515
- Bourdon hit was barely worth 2. The Sabre saw him coming, baited him, then turned.— Sidewinder7
- Giroux is awesome! Bryzgalov made some good stops but seemed shaky. "Bob" needs to start tonight— boris
- I'm sorry, but I keep looking for some consistency with that $51 million goalie, yet don't see it.— mrjarn
- mrjarn, we haven't yet seen the consistency of a 20 million goalie the way he has played, last night was terrible but at least Miller was just as bad and the Flyers took the play to them. I pity any goalie that has Giroux coming down on him 1 on 1, he is rediculously deceptive.— Sidewinder7
- One thing I am def not liking out of Bryz is his reaction when he is totally beat, like tbe Leino goal last night. Great play by the Sabres, but Bryz did not even try to react to Leino. Now 49 times out of 50 that puck is going in the net no matter what the goalie does, but if he fumbles it, or the puck goes on its end, Bryz has already given up, but if he reacts he has a chance to make a save if something goes bad for the shooter. This has happened several times.— Sidewinder7
- "Where will the offense come from now that Richards and Carter have been traded?" Flyers lead the league in goals scored. Just wait til Pronger joins the mix. Good things ahead...— Nutcracker
- But the same problem remains, this team has to win despite their goaltender.— Sidewinder7
- Gerbe took a dive. give him the oscar now.— Inchon
- The 10 million dollar goalie is 9-1-1 in his last 11 games. Not too bad IMO.— matty177
- So what's the over/under on when Giroux gets hurt and is out for 2 - 3 months? A week, 2 weeks? We all know it's coming.— Lobo19722
- Matty, you should realize that no one can live up to a 10 million dollar contract. Bryzgalov will be the whipping boy in spite of his record. The organization went out and got their goalie, they over payed him, now they just have to over PLAY him! He will win, he will find his groove. He has proven to be a solid NHL'er.
As far as the Bourdon hit, it was a penalty. Never in the 'suspendable act' area. Gerbe went off the ice because he nearly had his nose sliced off a week or so ago. I will say that the confusion comes from the fact that Bourdon got 2 minutes, while Shelley got 10 games.— Hexy4GM
