Sabre's 'personal' comments spur Flyers; Richards not suspended
The Philadelphia Inquirer Blog - Flyers Report: Broad Street Bull
Sabre's 'personal' comments spur Flyers; Richards not suspended
Sam Carchidi, Inquirer Staff Writer
BUFFALO -- If the Flyers win this pulsating series, they may thank Buffalo's Patrick Kaleta for the inspiration.
During Sunday's game, Kaleta reportedly made comments to Danny Briere and Scott Hartnell about their divorces.
All Briere would say was that a Sabre "crossed the line" with "personal" comments, and that it gave him motivation.
Briere had two goals, and Hartnell tied the game in the third period as the Flyers won in OT, 5-4, to force a Game 7 Tuesday.
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The Flyers said Mike Richards did not have a hearing with the NHL Monday, which means he will be in the lineup Tuesday. The Flyers' captain drilled Tim Connolly into the boards Sunday. Connolly hit his head and the Sabres said he will not play in Game 7.
Richards seemed relieved that he gets to play in the decisive game.
Buffalo goalie Ryan Miller had a different reaction.
"I'm still upset," Miller told reporters in Buffalo. "The guy who was complaining the most about how we were getting away with murder has delivered two of the dirtiest hits in the series – a blatant elbow to the face (of Kaleta in Game 4), which is something the league has said they’re trying to take away, and driving Tim Connolly head-first into the boards. It’s wasn’t a just a hit; it was a push. It was blatant.
"I don’t know where to go on this one because it’s a tough game, Richards wants to win. It’s not lost on me that he’s a hard competitor. But obviously that was reckless."
Should be an interesting Game 7, eh?
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Kaleta is just jealous. He is a candidate for the movie "Broke Back Buffalo".— The Marco Islander- STOP Already...the trash talking is typical of all players in all pro leagues today.....who cares.....if a player cannot take it they should not be on the ice, the field , the court.....It has always been this way....and the great players.....Michael, Larry, Magic, take it in stride and then punish the guy with performance.....duh...If you are so dam good Flers, shut them up with results......— nuggett
- Punish them with performance? Isn't that exactly what happened? Just like you're punishing us with your spelling....
- Hey MIL-LER, how about a little whine with that cheese. It's Hockey and he should take another look at the film. If (or shall I say WHEN) we move on in the playoffs, the Sabres can look back at the arrogant, obnoxious comments they made throughout the series, from the Coach on down.— flphilly
- Does Ryan miller change his tampon after every period or does one last him the whole game? What a pansy!!!!!— bleed green forever
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Who cares what Kaleta says? Just consider the source. As for Richie, this is the second borderline incident that could have resulted in his suspension. I know he's the captain and it's playoff time, but he's just isn't playing smart hockey.- Comment removed.
- There were numerous cheap shots yet again delivered by Buffalo, Myers on Versteeg for one, also Stafford cross-checked Briere after a faceoff sending Briere crumpling to the ice while play ensued. I am surprised Miller is calling out Richards to this extent. He needs to watch the replays, his team has been gooning it up big time, as that's the only way they can win. Keep up ths big hits!!!— 88
- After tomorrow, the Sabres will, indeed, shuffle off to Buffalo!!— Justin Case
- Who cares about Ryan Miller...we scored 7 goals on him in 2 games...He aint THAT hot— MFPhils
- Interesting how much whining the Flyer fans are doing on this site about the physical nature of this series. But then there's a reason that Philly fans are considered the worst in sports. Ask any sports fan in the country whose fans "would boo Santa Claus" & everyone knows the answer.
I learned growing up with 5 brothers that if you want to dish it out, you have to learn to take it. Sabres have not complained about anything except the Richards hit on Connolly. That includes the stick to Jordan Leopold's mouth that required an undisclosed number of stitches, which went unpenalized. And 67% of voters on the Hockey News website said Richards should have been suspended. Sabres have less talent and less experience than Flyers, yet they have refused to back down from a team that thought it could bully them.
Miller has not given up a single soft goal. If he gives up no soft goals tomorrow, watch out. The players will shake hands, but some of you "fans" will be blaming everything in sight.— coldiscool
