Posted: Wednesday, November 25, 2009, 9:56 PM | 8 comments |
 

Boosh: Flyers' best player on trip; Emery gets Fri. nod
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  Backup goalie Brian Boucher gets my vote as the Flyers' best player on their 2-3 road trip, which ended with their 2-1 win over the host New York Islanders Wednesday.

   In three appearances during the trip, Boucher had a 1.61 goals-against average.

    Boucher made 27 saves in the first two periods Wednesday and enabled the Flyers to be locked in a 1-1 tie. The Flyers allowed just one shot as they controlled the third period, winning it on a goal by Scott Hartnell with 5:27 left.

   "Boosh was terrific and gave us a chance to recover," coach John Stevens said.

    "I saw the game well," Boucher said. "There weren't many shots I didn't see."

    In the first game of the trip, Boucher made 37 saves and was the difference as the Flyers defeated Los Angeles, 3-2. He relieved Ray Emery midway through the game in Colorado and surrendered just one goal, giving the Flyers a chance.

   When Boucher entered the Colorado game, the Flyers faced a 4-2 deficit; he was unfairly charged with the loss because of an awful NHL rule that needs to be changed. Since he allowed what proved to be the game-winner, Boucher was charged with the loss _ even though he yielded three fewer goals than Emery.

   Captain Mike Richards also scored for the Flyers Wednesday, breaking a five-game drought.

   "The guys found the energy and it's a big two points we'll take home with us," Stevens said.

   Boucher suffered a groin injury in training camp and missed the first few games. After a shaky start, he has recovered and has resembled the goalie who was a superb understudy in San Jose last season.

  Notes. It marked the first time since 2003 that the Flyers allowed just one shot in the third period  _ a 4-1 win over the Penguins ..... The Flyers were guilty of seven penalties _ four more than the Isles....Former Flyer Marty Biron was the hard-luck loser....The Flyers host Buffalo Friday at 1 p.m; there are a little over 1,700 tickets left for the annual Black Friday matinee.

* * * * * * * * * 

   Despite his stellar play on the trip, Boucher will be back in a resrve role Friday against Buffalo. During Thursday's practice in Voorhees, Stevens said Emery (2.57 GAA, .910 save percentage) will start Friday.

   Boucher has a 2.29 GAA and .927 save percentage.

 

 
Posted by Sam Carchidi @ 9:56 PM  Permalink | 8 comments
8
Comments   
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 3:15 AM, 11/26/2009
    Boooosh!
    — scribbles
  • Comment removed.
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 3:12 PM, 11/26/2009
    please no goalie controversy this year. emery all the way unless he's terrible.
    — bobbyd24
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 3:32 PM, 11/26/2009
    Vanzant: when do coaches and the GM play the game? This team lacks commitment, the core players prefer nightlife now that they are all millionaires.
    — BHite15
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 7:23 PM, 11/26/2009
    Career backup at best. If people start thinking this is your number one guy, then things are worse than you already think. Emery definitely isn't the answer. Neither is Boucher. Let's all pretend we're the Flyers GM and see what's behind door number three. Isn't that how they usually pick a goalie anyway?
    — jibberjabber
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 9:55 AM, 11/27/2009
    Vanzant: Agree. Comcast needs to step in and make some changes. If they loose attendance and merchandise revenue, they will. Teams have to go far in the playoffs to make $$$. It is a business Snyder or no Snyder. These guys have spend handsomely this year on payroll, and for this? But, it is not the players. It is the coach, system, and ultimately GM that is supposed to be a bit brighter. Go Flyers! BOI
    — BearOnIce
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 3:57 AM, 11/28/2009
    The Trainer was definitely close.
    — GeorgeDumbyaBush
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 11:48 AM, 11/28/2009
    Glad Boosh showed up, biggest problems we have are commitment by the young players, they've gotten better this season but not nearly as much as they should show, just sayin'...
    — DJ


8 comments
About Sam Carchidi
Sam Carchidi is in his fourth year as the Flyers' beat reporter. He became an Inquirer staff writer in 1984 and covered mostly South Jersey high school sports and the Phillies before taking the Flyers beat.

Carchidi has written three books _ the nationally acclaimed Miracle in the Making: The Adam Taliaferro Story, which he co-authored with Scott Brown; Bill Campbell: The Voice of Philadelphia Sports; and Standing Tall: The Kevin Everett Story, which was featured on the Oprah Winfrey Show. He also contributed to a 1993 Inquirer book on the Phillies.

A lifelong South Jersey resident, Carchidi lives in Wenonah with his wife, JoAnn, and their two children, Sara and Sammy.

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