Bryzgalov: Bobrovsky to start in Winter Classic
Flyers backup goalie Sergei Bobrovsky will start in the Winter Classic Monday against the New York Rangers.
Bryzgalov: Bobrovsky to start in Winter Classic
Sam Carchidi, Inquirer Staff Writer
In what seemed more like a comedy routine than an impromptu news conference in the Flyers’ locker room at Citizens Bank Park on Sunday, Ilya Bryzgalov revealed that backup Sergei Bobrovsky would be the team’s starting goalie in Monday’s Winter Classic against the New York Rangers.
“I have great news and even better news,” said Bryzgalov, who has lost four straight and struggled through most of the season. “Great news: I’m not playing (Monday). And good news: We have a chance to win the game.”
He was mocking himself for his poor play. Signed to a nine-year $51 million contract before the season, he has a 3.01 goals against average and .890 save percentage. In his last four games, he has a 4.58 GAA.
"It's not the end of the universe," Bryzgalov said.
Bobrovsky has been on a hot streak. In his last eight games, he is 5-1 with two no-decisions and a 1.55 goals-against average and .947 save percentage.
While saying they still have confidence in Bryzgalov, virtually everyone in the Flyers’ locker room seemed pleased Bobrovsky was getting the nod.
“Bryz has maybe had a tough couple games, but Bob has been pretty steady the whole year,” high-scoring winger Scott Hartnell said. “I think it might be good for Bryz to get a wake-up call and work on some things and get back to the goalie he can be _ and that we all know. That’s why Homer (GM Paul Holmgren) signed him. He’s going to be good for us. I have a lot of faith in him. He’s a good man, and a great goalie and he’ll be there for us.”
But not on Monday in the biggest stage of the NHL’s regular season.
“Right now, Bob is playing extremely well and he gets rewarded for that,” center Danny Briere said. “I think we’re making a bigger deal of it than it really is.”
Bobrovsky refused to say he was starting, smiling and saying it was not his place to make an announcement.
“It doesn’t matter who starts because the most important thing is the result,” said the second-year goalie. “It’s a real game. It’s two points on the line, so it’ll be special, but the result is the most important thing.”
Bobrovsky is 8-2-1 with a 2.52 GAA and .913 save percentage.
Playing part-time, he conceded, “is more difficult to be as confident and as prepared because I never know when I’ll start. There’s no rhythm for the preparation.”
Is Monday going to be one the biggest games of his life?
Bobrovsky grinned.
“At this point, EVERY game is the most important game of my career,” he said.
Bryzgalov, meanwhile, was asked about his mindset for the Winter Classic
“Make sure I don’t forget early in the morning my thermos. Put some ice tea in and enjoy the bench,” he deadpanned.
About a half hour after Bryzgalov revealed that Bobrovsky would start, coach Peter Laviolette refused to announce his decision. Laviolette said he hadn’t talked to either goalie yet.
Bryzgalov said he was told of the decision by goalie coach Jeff Reese.
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My two cents: Bravo, Lavy. The coach made the decision on performance - and not on Bryzgalov's nine-year, $51 million deal. That took humungous big guts.
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Follow Sam Carchidi on Twitter @BroadStBull.
wow! 51 million and sitting on the biggest stage he maybe lost forever in the woods— broadst.17- "It's not the end of the universe"
That's the best you got to say and you're supposed to be a franchise goalie? I want my starting goalie to be pi**ed! The contract was a mistake from day one and it keeps getting to be a bigger mistake.— twpman - Wow maybe this will light a fire under Bryz. This is not a good year for goalies, Miller, Bryz, Luongo and even golden boy Fluery is struggling. We'll see how Bob does, Bryz was shelled last game vs NYR so cant do any worse.— shanehockey28
- Good move, surprised that Lavvy got his way though, that a lot, just sayin'...— DJ
- Good move, surprised that Lavvy got his way though, that means a lot, just sayin'...— DJ
- Well this isn't an alum game, this is a real game regardless of all the hoopla around it being the winter classic. It's 2 points verses a division rival so we need the hottest goalie to play and that ISN'T Bryz. Too bad for Bryz but he is letting in too many soft goals. ALL goalies have off days but Bryz's is giving up 3, 4 5 goals a game and THAT is unacceptable.— LAFlyer
- Lets see, the announcement was made by Lavy...no, by Bryz, the "team clown". Is this trustworthy or just head games ????— bsbullie
- And if Thomas or Rask weren't playing that well, would you still expect them to get the nod for a game as important as this? It's a divisional match-up against a team the Flyers have not had much luck against as of late. Winter Classic or not, this is a must win for the Flyers. They have to go with the hot hand.
— eparico - Bob deserves to start, he's played well i do agree with lonewolf that part of the reason bob is playing so well is because he doesn't play everynight.
bryz hasn't played real well this season, im not ready to write the guy off I still believe he'll come around soon enough lets not forget this guy has some good numbers and a lot of career shutouts. so the talent is their for some reason his head is not in it right now.— mos19delta - I think Bryz is more upset because he wants to be the center of attention and he won't be now. I like Bryz but he needs to get his act together.— LAFlyer
- This is a smart move. Bryz seems to need the fans behind him and Lavy knows if they lose this game tomorrow because of Bryz the fans (all 46000) would turn on him not only tomorrow but in the future as well. This gives the Flyers a great chance tomorrow, gives Bob a chance to shine and takes the heat off Bryz so that he can regain his form and be The Man in the playoffs. Goalies hit skids. They're like pitchers. Hopefully Bryz in 2011 will be like Cole Hamels in 2009.— plowboy7250
You have to admit that Lavi has courage, starting the backup over the 51 million dollar man in the high-profile Winter Classic. But Bobrovsky has earned the start and right now he gives the Flyers the best chance to win. Hopefully Bryzgalov can work on his game and improve his performance in the second half of the season.- Because I feel generous, I'm waiting until after the HBO Circus leaves town to see if Bryzgalov's enigmatic tendencies aren't part of his problem. It could be the pressure to "perform" for HBO is more problematic for him than the pressure to perform in net.— icarus
- Let's not forget Boosh didn't start in Boston in 2009. Maybe this will wake him up a bit and he will bounce back. If not, at least we didn't trade Bob.
- My take: Bryz is not going to last long as a Flyer. It's not his performance (which is less than average)--it's his attitude. First, look at the mindset of the Philadelphia sports fan. Very knowledgeable, passionate, and demanding. Nothing wrong with it, necessarily, but underperforming and developing a woe is me attitude are not going to cut it. Worse, he is alienating himself from his team (saying the defense needs to change/pick it up) and his head coach (leaking the goalie news early). Lavy probably would have preferred a lid on that.
He wasn't brought in to be a savior--he was signed to play to his ability and offer stability in the net. This is mediocrity, and the widespread belief is that he will get better. He has to. At the same time, he needs to develop a better mindset. Hearing him say how he sometimes hates being a goalie doesn't invite a whole lot of confidence.
All the same, I am rooting for him to get better and take it up a notch.— pillsbury
