Despite pounding, Flyers' Bryz needs to play Sat.; Reese says swagger is back
The Philadelphia Inquirer Blog - Flyers Report: Broad Street Bull
Despite pounding, Flyers' Bryz needs to play Sat.; Reese says swagger is back
Sam Carchidi, Inquirer Staff Writer
UPDATE:
The Flyers did not practice Friday, but had a team meeting. Goalie coach Jeff Reese had a long one-on-one with Bryzgalov.
“He felt great today. He came in with his swagger and it’s important that his teammates saw him come in like that," Reese said. "He was joking around and laughing and I think that was very important. He’s going to turn this around, no question.”
In a roundabout way, Reese said Bryzgalov will be back in the nets on Saturday.
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FROM EARLIER:
For the first time in the franchise’s history, the Flyers scored eight goals in a LOSING effort.
It happened Thursday in a wild, pond-like game in which they lost to the Winnipeg Jets, 9-8, before a stunned crowd at the Wels Fargo Center.
The franchise’s previous high for goals scored in a loss was seven _ 9-7 at Hartford in 1984, and 8-7 vs. visiting Tampa Bay last year.
Incredibly, the Flyers fired 84 shots (48 on net, 19 blocked, 17 missed) and still lost. Winnipeg fired 43 shots (25 on net, 11 blocked, seven missed).
Afterward, goalie Ilya Bryzgalov blamed himself for the loss. Bryzgalov was awful in a relief role (four goals on 10 shots), but his timid defense was even worse, repeatedly failing to clear the front of the net.
“You win as a team, you lose as a team,” said winger James van Riemsdyk, who scored two goals and took 14 shots, including nine on goal. “You can’t ever put it on just one guy. We have to be better in front of him. There were a lot of tips and point-blank chances that we have to cut down and make his job a little easier.”
That’s similar to what the players were saying after Wednesday’s 5-1 loss in Montreal.
In his last four appearances, Bryzgalov has a 5.05 GAA and .802 save percentage.
“I’m lost in the woods,” Bryzgalov said, calling it the worst stretch in his career and apologizing to the fans and his teammates. “I have zero confidence in myself now. I am terrible.”
From here, Bryzgalov needs to get right back on the horse. Put him back in there Saturday against visiting Carolina and allow him to work on a new chapter.
Maybe the fact he cleared the air will allow Bryzgalov to relax, regain his focus and start to resemble the elite goalie who played in Phoenix.
Maybe.
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Follow Sam Carchidi on Twitter @BroadStBull.
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why are we not talking about Lavy? his team d philosophy or his inability to teach it has been hurting this flyer team since January. Sorry...he doesn't get a pass anymore...he switches his goalies too fast, no team d phil., and his player evals are questionable. Lavy needs the microscope placed on him.— dave1walsh- too fast? Bob gave up 5 goals in like 22 minutes last night. He shoulda been pulled 20 minutes earlier. — seaonasdad
- Give credit to Homer, did what he had to do to bring in a Top 5 goalie. He does so and go figure, this clown looses his confindence after 10 games. Lost, he did say Lost out there. Hey clown, stay between the pipes, upright and use ur stick on some ankles every once in a while. Your collecting the money, NOW play like you deserve it.— phillyfan1
Despite what many of the hockey pundits say, I've never liked the mix in the Flyers defensive corps. I think they have too many of "the same guy," because they fell in love with the so-called puck-moving defenseman. Kimmo, Carle and Coburn can't/won't hit, can't clear the area in front of their own goal, and can't shoot from the point. Pronger can shoot if he has all day, and is nasty in front. Mezaros is a little better, because he has a decent shot and is willing to hit, but Lilja and Walker stink.— Hame of Famer- Can't agree with this analysis. Coburn and Kimmo are a good pair precisely b/c they are different. Kimmo has a good point shot, can carry the puck, plays excellent finesse defense, and blocks lots of shots.
Coburn is more stay at home (I think he only has 1 assist all season), but definitely plays the body. How could you say Coburn doesn't hit?!? He is probably the best checker (with Meszaros) on the team and i still fondly recall him laying out Crosby in the season opener last year (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZ5dFNJa8SQ) and then Ovechkin in DC later last season. Here are some other good Coburn shots: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ePi0_chHAw and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5XuqLk17beM, and there are many, many more. I believe he has led the team in checks (or been #2) the last couple years.
The problem for D like Coburn, Pronger, and Meszaros is that the NHL has made it VERY difficult to play defense. Interference, roughing called after breathing on someone , slashing calls whenever a stick breaks, shots to the head penalties, boarding, cross checking, holding, hooking being nothing more than using your stick, etc. The NHL wants more goals and they are getting it. But defenses are looking ugly in the process. I like the battles and, if necessary, lower scoring. Let the fellas play some hockey. - LOL Philadelphia's greatest source of hot air in action again. Coburn has been repeatedly criticized for for his inconsistent play: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/703859-philadelphia-flyers-what-each-player-needs-to-work-on-this-offseason#/articles/703859-philadelphia-flyers-what-each-player-needs-to-work-on-this-offseason/page/5 Braydon has also been on the receiving end of some very nasty hits: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sBLqXF42H20
- While i understand you want to stir the pot, your response suffers from 2 major deficiencies in proving that i am full of hot air. First, i never said Coburn has not received hits himself, which would be a first for a defensemen. Obviously he has been hit-- how is that relevant to whether or not he hits people? Second, I never said that Coburn was consistent, so i am not sure of the point you are trying to make in saying he is inconsistent.
What was the point of your post again? Ah yes, you just wanted to use that oh-so-cool hot air graphic. Thanks for adding to the discussion! - Forget about their bad D. Bryzgalov is paid like an elite goalie, a goalie who can stand on his head, win games on his own, and carry a team despite a shaky defense. One of the reasons he was brought in and paid so much was that he did so well while playing for a terrible Phoenix team. He's been awful in every sense of the word.— philly57
- Kurtz on the Flyers: Sell the stadium! Sell the team! Sell the players! Find someone else. Forget it. I'm never watching again. Forget it.— HeelYes
- I agree with philly57 aside from the first few games, Bryz has not made one gamesaving save. Elite goalies do that, he has been brutal in net and we can only hope he snaps out of this funk.— shanehockey28
- Steve Walsh: Can't agree with you more. Laviolette seems to be getting a pass here. The team has not looked good since the second half of last year. This team traded it's core "franchise" players and the coach stayed. If he can't win with them, then you can't blame the players. The team had a significant overhaul. Might be time
To put the coach under the heat lamp.— HulkHogan - I rahter have them loose now than when it counts.— gl
- It ALWAYS counts. That's the same mentality that put us in the position we were last season. That somehow those early games don't matter. Well they do. At the end of the year it can be the difference between 1st and 4th in your division. Games always count... even preseason (as a benchmark).
- That is what the Flyers fans want to hear from their high priced goaltender. I have zero confidence. Well pal I have no respect for a player who says that. Bobrovsky and Bryzgalov what a combo. Maybe they should do the biggest loser show.— eaglesman1
- Props to Bryz for owning up and taking blame. Now time to peform.
Bob continues to show the same issues as last year, especially overplaying the puck. Last night was the 2nd time in his last two starts that a goal was scored because he way overplayed to one side and took himself out of position.
I am not encouraged, but there is always Leighton waiting in the wings in Adirondack! JUST KIDDING.
