'Bob' starting for Flyers; Harry Z recalled
OTTAWA - Goalie Sergei Bobrovsky will make his first start of the season when the Flyers play in Ottawa Tuesday night.
'Bob' starting for Flyers; Harry Z recalled
Sam Carchidi, Inquirer Staff Writer
OTTAWA - Goalie Sergei Bobrovsky will make his first start of the season when the Flyers play in Ottawa Tuesday night.
Bobrovksy, 23, had a strong preseason, compiling a 0.40 goals-against average and .984 save percentage, but he is the understudy to Ilya Bryzgalov, who signed a nine-year, $51 million deal in the summer.
The Flyers (3-0-1) have notched points in all four games; Ottawa is just 1-4, but showed positive signs in a 2-1 loss in Washington Saturday.
The Flyers recalled forward Harry Zolnierczyk from the Adirondack Phantoms, and he made his NHL debut Tuesday. He replaced winger Andreas Nodl, who has an undisclosed injury. Nodl participated in the morning skate.
The Flyers needed another forward because Jody Shelley was serving the last game of his suspension. Shelley could play Thursday against the visiting Caps. (Zac Rinaldo may be sent to the Phantoms.)
The Flyers did not have enough cap space to recall Brayden Schenn ($1.69 million cap hit). Before Zolnierczyk was recalled, they had a little less that $1.2 million in space.
In addition to "Bob," defenseman Matt Walker is expected to make his first start of the season, replacing Andreas Lilja. Coach Peter Laviolette has been wanting to give Walker some playing time. Lilja played well in the first four games.
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Ottawa will be without two injured players: defenseman Sergei Gonchar and winger Bobby Butler. Backup goalie Alex Auld (3.07 GAA, ..892 SP) will start for the Senators.
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Defenseman Braydon Coburn’s wife, Nadine, gave birth to a girl, Rory, on Monday. She is the couple’s first child.
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In a roundabout way, former Flyers star Eric Lindros told thehockeyguys.net he plans to play in the Winter Classic alumni game at Citizens Bank Park.
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Follow Sam Carchidi on Twitter @BroadStBull.
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no schenn? guess they really need to move another contract before he ever gets recalled.— kdub13- They already moved the contract. This guy won't play, just be that extra man in case someone gets hurt or can't go right before the game. They want Schenn to get games in, not play.— Sidewinder7
- do they have the cap space to carry schenn's contract right now?— kdub13
- They cant call up schenn yet. relax, he will be here shortly.— fman727
- Every time I hear about Shelley's return getting closer and closer, the more I hate it. This guy has absolutely no place on this Flyers team. He can't skate, he can't score, and his defensive abilities are suspect at best. Get rid of this guy and put someone in his place that fits with the speed/skill direction this team is taking. And for him to have his first game back against an elite team like the Caps makes me wonder how many scoring chances he is going to be personally responsible for. Why is it thst everyone seems to understand this except the Flyer's braintrust?— CTL
- What a mistake Shelley was. Shelley 3 years @ 3.3 million - Asham 1 year 700k. At least Asham could dress for playoff games & isn't a total liability out there. (Asham dressed in all 7 playoff games last year for PITTS w/ 3 goals and 1 assist)Not sure why Homer thought he needed a change there? — Kennedy
- I think they will be able to bring up Schenn after tonight's game if they want to.— ICDogg
- @ CTL - I completely agree. Shelley vs Asham - what a mistake!— Kennedy
- He will probably play a couple of minutes. He is just to sit there and look intimidating so that the other team won't take shots at our star players.
- No point in Schenn coming up just to sit on the bench. Let him keep playing, so when we insert him in the line up, he's in the flow.— otown philly fan
- I hear you Kennedy - Asham is good for approximately 20 points a season, has speed, and can actually play hockey on top of being a legitimate tough guy. Shelley has only broken the 10 point barrier once in his career and that was with Columbus 5 years ago. I still have trouble believing management actually dumped a character guy like Asham (who was a locker room favorite and a bargain at $775K/yr) and kept this grossly overpaid goon.— CTL
- Just waive Shelly. And wow Jeff Carter hurt, same foot as before.— Sidewinder7
- you mean the character guy that broke a non-fighter's jaw and then pranced around like a pro wrestler? THAT character guy? sorry, couldn't resist.— birdfannnj
- he had a bloody lip, thats a broken jaw? And Beagle is 6'3" 210, not some little guy Asham is bullying. — Sidewinder7
- Please waive Shelley. I've been saying for the past week and a half. He does not fit. Too old, too slow and can't win a fight. Rinaldo is faster, tougher and a much cheaper option which would allow for a little cap space. Rinaldo actually hits people correctly, not from behind. Bring Schenn up soon and send Nodl down!— TedR
