Flyers' worst fear realized in Game 4
They won't admit it, but this had to be the Flyers' worst fear before the series: They would throw all kinds of shots at Ryan Miller, but wouldn't be able to turn on the red light behind the battle-tested Buffalo goalie.
Flyers' worst fear realized in Game 4
Sam Carchidi, Inquirer Staff Writer
BUFFALO - They won’t admit it, but this had to be the Flyers’ worst fear before the series: They would throw all kinds of shots at Ryan Miller, but wouldn’t be able to turn on the red light behind the battle-tested Buffalo goalie.
Miller was sensational Wednesday, making 32 saves - including a highlight-film stop on his buddy, Danny Briere, in the final period - as the Sabres edged the Flyers, 1-0, and evened the series at two games apiece.
Twice in this series, a Flyers goaltender has played well enough to win most games. On both occasions, either Sergei Bobrovsky or Brian Boucher has been outplayed by Miller, who led the United States to a silver medal in last year’s Vancouver Olympics.
It marked the first time in franchise history that the Flyers had dropped a pair of 1-0 decisions in a playoff series.
And now, the Flyers have this scary thought: They can dominate - like they did in the latter stages of Wednesday’s third period - and still not advance to the conference semifinals.
Game 5 is Friday at the Wells Fargo Center.
Boucher, who was excellent again, kept a positive outlook.
“I don’t think we should be frustrated,” he said. “It was a pretty hard-fought game and nobody ever said this series was going to be easy. It’s 2-2 and we have two home games if we need it. We feel pretty good. We won here in Game 3, so we want to win a Game 5 and we’ll deal with that after.”
But they may have to win Game 5 without injured forward Jeff Carter, and no one knows if Mike Richards will be suspended for elbowing Patrick Kaleta.
Look for Chris Pronger to return in Game 5, and that might be the push the Flyers need.
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yes miller has been great but along the way he needed some luck. also the flyers had guys in great scoring spots and they didnt deliver, jvr and carcillo to name a couple. speaking of carcillo he and his line created way more chances than our skilled players. go flyers!— phillysportsnut- I saw Kaleta open the bench door to let Zherdev fall through also. Then he slide down the bench like nothing happened. But that won't get reviewed. What a jagaloon!— ajc1127
- Sam, sounds like you want Richards to be suspended. This is the second article where you mention it. I don't think there is even a remote possibility that he is suspended. Buffalo reporters aren't even mentioning it - makes your overt mention of it sounds vindictive.— theroe2.0
- how can your worst fear be coming true when you put eight goals on the same goaltender, the other two games? D*mbass article ..— richieformvp
Comment removed.- Comment removed.
- The Flyers outplayed the Sabres?? How lame. When was the last time I heard a Flyers fan say how lucky they were to win because the Flyers got outplayed? never.— Sammy T
- I just wish that when Kaleta opened the door for Zherdev...that the Sabres were forced to keep him too!— Hexy4GM
- hey— n62,
. . . oh, never mind. your team losing in the first round is going to be hard enough; you don't need me rubbing salt in the wound.
— stonelamb - Why dosen't anyone from flyer land understand that the goalie is part of the team, if my goalie outplays yours, then mine is better. Better goalie, better team. Buffalo's defence must be better too, because so many complaints about Miller being lucky, then it must have been superior defense. Since Buffalo scored 1 goal and Flyers none, then Buffalo had the better offense too. That is 3 for 3 and Philly fags keep wanting to say that Philly was the better team. Drink more of your special water, keep believing and fall asleep..it will be over soon!— BigBadPapa
