Emery starting vs. Flyers; Giroux early MVP, but snubbed by fans
Chicago goalie Ray Emery, who has made a remarkable comeback from a career-threatening injury, will start against his ex-teammates Thursday night at the Wells Fargo Center.
Emery, 29, is 9-2-2 with a 2.54 goals-against average and .908 save percentage as the Blackhawks' backup goalie.
Two years ago, while with the Flyers, the goalie known as "Razor" was diagnosed with avascular necrosis. The disease cuts off the blood supply to bone tissue and ended the sports career of Bo Jackson. The bone that fit into Emery's hip was deteriorating from poor circulation.
In 2010, surgeons took a piece of Emery's fibula and inserted it into a hole drilled into his hip.
Most thought his career was over.
But in 10 games with Anaheim last season, he was 7-2 with a no-decisions and two shutouts; he had a 2.28 goals-against average and a .926 save percentage.
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Enigmatic Ilya Bryzgalov will get the start for the Flyers. He is 3-2-1 with a 2.26 goals-against average in his last six starts against Chicago – all with Phoenix.
Bryzgalov was benched the last two games.
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Sports Illustrated named Flyers center Claude Giroux the league's MVP for the first half of the season. Giroux is tied for second in the NHL with 46 points — two behind Vancouver's Henrik Sedin.
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The fans have spoken, and what they have said is: We don't know hockey.
But they ARE loyal to their hometown players.
The NHL released the first six all-stars, as chosen by the fans, on Thursday morning, and five of the players are on Ontario-based teams. The game is in Ottawa, and four players from the lowly Senators were chosen: Erik Karlsson, Daniel Alfredsson, Jason Spezza and Milan Michalek. Toronto's Dion Phanuef and Boston goalie Tim Thomas were also named.
Among the snubbed: Giroux, Tampa Bay's Steven Stamkos, Toronto's Phil Kessel and Vancouver's Henrik and Daniel Sedin.
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The Flyers have lost five of their last seven, and they have scored a total of just 15 goals in that span.
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Follow Sam Carchidi on Twitter @BroadStBull
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