Archive: October, 2009
Sam Carchidi, Inquirer Staff Writer
As expected, Flyers rookie left winger James van Riemsdyk will not play Thursday night against the visiting Pittsburgh Penguins.
Van Riemsdyk, who played just two shifts after being pushed into the boards midway through the second period Tuesday, did not practice Wednesday or skate Thursday morning, and while he says all concussion tests were negative, the team is taking the cautious approach.
And while he will not play Thursday, there is a good chance JVR (three assists in three games) will return to the lineup Saturday against visiting Anaheim.
Sam Carchidi, Inquirer Staff Writer
Seventy-seven shots, 11 goals, an NHL-record-tying performance by Matt Carle and, thanks to Mike Richards, the first Flyers hat trick in a home opener in the franchise's 42-year history.
Yep, just another typical night at the Wachovia Center, where the Flyers outlasted the Washington Capitals on Tuesday, 6-5, in an OT thriller that was played at a frenzied pace.
Carle tied an NHL record for a defesemen by collecting four assists in one period (the second), while Richards notched all three of his goals in that same 20-minute session _ and managed to overshadow Alex Ovechkin (two goals), Alexander Semin (two goals) and Nicklas Backstrom (three assists).
Sam Carchidi, Inquirer Staff Writer
The new-look Flyers, off to an impressive 2-0 start, will be trying to contain Washington's Alex Ovechkin when they play their home opener Tuesday night at the Wachovia Center.
Stopping Ovechkin is like going a day without hearing media reports (ugh) about Jon and Kate.
Virtually impossible.
Sam Carchidi, Inquirer Staff Writer
NEWARK, N.J. _ For rookie left winger James van Riemsdyk, it was a happy homecoming last night as he had two assists in the Flyers' convincing 5-2 win over the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center.
Playing in an arena 35 minutes from where he grew up _ Middletown in central Jersey _ van Riemsdyk continued his strong early-season play.
Ditto goalie Ray Emery, who made 24 saves _ including several acrobatic ones _ as the Flyers got off to a 2-0 start for the first time since 1998-99.
Sam Carchidi, Inquirer Staff Writer
They just announced New Jersey's roster and the players skated out to roaring ovations before the host Devils' season opener tonight against the Flyers.
The biggest ovation went to Martin Brodeur, who will be playing in his 1,000th career game.
He has several milestones against the Flyers, including his 100th shutout, 500th career win, and 48th victory in a season, which broke Bernie Parent's single-season record.
Sam Carchidi, Inquirer Staff Writer
RALEIGH, N.C. _ Ray "Razor" Emery had a shutout in his Flyers debut, Jeff Carter and Mike Richards each scored power-play goals, and the penalty-killing units were 8 for 8. For the Flyers, it all added up to an impressive 2-0 win at Carolina in their season opener Friday. There were plenty of positives: ** Emery made 28 saves and became the fourth Flyer in their 42-year history to start the season with a shutout. ** Defenseman Chris Pronger was as good as advertised, playing a game-high 27:41 and sparking the penalty-killing unit. ** The power play, ineffective in the preseason, was 2 for 5. ** Rookie James van Riemsdyk had an assist and played well in his NHL debut. ** Kimmo Timonen blocked a game-high four shots. The only negative: The Flyers committed 11 penalties for 25 minutes. But Emery and the PK, which was aided by newcomers Blair Betts and Ian Laperriere, bailed them out.Sam Carchidi, Inquirer Staff Writer
RALEIGH, N.C. _ Ray "Razor" Emery had a shutout in his Flyers debut, Jeff Carter and Mike Richards each scored power-play goals, and the penalty-killing units were 8 for 8. For the Flyers, it all added up to an impressive 2-0 win at Carolina in their season opener Friday. There were plenty of positives: ** Emery made 28 saves and became the fourth Flyer in their 42-year history to start the season with a shutout. ** Defenseman Chris Pronger was as good as advertised, playing a game-high 27:41 and sparking the penalty-killing unit. ** The power play, ineffective in the preseason, was 2 for 5. ** Rookie James van Riemsdyk had an assist and played well in his NHL debut. ** Kimmo Timonen blocked a game-high four shots. The only negative: The Flyers committed 11 penalties for 25 minutes. But Emery and the PK, which was aided by newcomers Blair Betts and Ian Laperriere, bailed them out.Sam Carchidi, Inquirer Staff Writer
RALEIGH, N.C. _ Ray "Razor" Emery had a shutout in his Flyers debut, Jeff Carter and Mike Richards each scored power-play goals, and the penalty-killing units were 8 for 8. For the Flyers, it all added up to an impressive 2-0 win at Carolina in their season opener Friday. There were plenty of positives: ** Emery made 28 saves and became the fourth Flyer in their 42-year history to start the season with a shutout. ** Defenseman Chris Pronger was as good as advertised, playing a game-high 27:41 and sparking the penalty-killing unit. ** The power play, ineffective in the preseason, was 2 for 5. ** Rookie James van Riemsdyk had an assist and played well in his NHL debut. ** Kimmo Timonen blocked a game-high four shots. The only negative: The Flyers committed 11 penalties for 25 minutes. But Emery and the PK, which was aided by newcomers Blair Betts and Ian Laperriere, bailed them out.Sam Carchidi, Inquirer Staff Writer
RALEIGH _ Just got back from the morning skate, where coach John Stevens confirmed that he will use Darroll Powe on the third line against Carolina tonight instead of Arron Asham.
Stevens said Powe matches up better against the fleet Hurricanes because of his speed. He will be at right wing on a line with Claude Giroux and James van Riemsdyk.
Asham, Riley Cote and Marc-Andre Bourdon will be scratches in tonight's season opener.
Sam Carchidi, Inquirer Staff Writer
The Flyers will open their season in Carolina Friday and try to avoid the slow start that plagued their 2008-09 campaign.
A year ago, you'll recall, the Flyers lost their first six games (0-3-3) before steadying themselves and eventually finishing as the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference.
As it turned out, the Flyers would have had the fourth seed _ and the critical home-ice advantage in the first round against Pittsburgh _ if they had accumulated one more point.
