Posted: Tuesday, December 15, 2009, 3:22 PM | 20 comments |
 

Flyers hope win is turning point; Leighton claimed
options
 

   BOSTON _ Maybe it was just a fluke.

   Maybe the Flyers will return to their bad habits Tuesday in Pittsburgh.

   Or maybe, just maybe, they will look back at Monday night's 3-1 win in Boston as a turning point to their topsy-turvy season.

   The Flyers put together their best all-around effort in Peter Laviolette's six games as their head coach.

   Defenseman Kimmo Timonen scored two goals _ one on an empty-netter _ and James van Riemsdyk ended a 12-game goal-less streak as the Flyers notched just their second win in their last nine games.

    "We lost a number of battles in our zone," said Boston defenseman Zdeno Chara, whose team was outshot, 38-27.  "They were just more hungry than us."

   It's been a while since anyone has said that about the Flyers (15-15-1), who recoerded only their fifth comeback win of the season.

    Tuesday, the task is even tougher _ a matchup with the Stanley Cup champion Penguins in Pittsburgh.

     * * * * * * * * 

     After sitting out Monday’s game in Boston because of an ankle injury, defenseman Braydon Coburn will return to the lineup Tuesday.
    “Luckily, it wasn’t something they originally thought it was,” Corburn said before Tuesday's game against the Penguins.

     Doctors first feared a high ankle sprain, but it was discovered Coburn had a cyst that ruptured in his ankle. The fluid in the ankle started to go down, and Coburn skated Monday morning without any problems.
     The Flyers had tried to recall defenseman Danny Syvret from the Phantoms in case Coburn couldn’t play. Because of weather-related problems, Syvret was unable to get a flight from Albany.
     Coach Peter Laviolette and GM Paul Holmgren said Syvret’s travel difficulties had nothing to do with the decision to play Coburn.
 

   * * * * * * * 

   Backup goalie Michael Leighton is back for his second stint with the Flyers.

   The 6-foot-3, 186-pounder was claimed on re-entry waivers from the Carolina Hurricanes Tuesday.

    Leighton, 28, appeared in seven games with the Hurricanes this season, posting a 1-4- record with a 4.28 goals-against average and .848 save percentage. In 2008-09, he had a 6-7-2 record with a 2.92 GAA and .901 save percentage in 19 appearances.

      He appeared in four games with the Flyers during the 2006-07 season, posting a 2-2 mark, a 3.69 GAA and a .882 save percentage. He was originally claimed on waivers by the Flyers on Jan. 11, 2007.

    In parts of six NHL seasons, Leighton has compiled an 18-35-12 record, a 3.10 GAA and .896 save percentage in 76 games.

     A native of Petrolia, Ontario, Leighton was originally drafted by the Chicago Blackhawks in the sixth round (165th overall) in the 1999 draft.

   The signing isn't exactly a vote of confidence for untested backup goalie Johan Backlund. It is the second goalie the Flyers have signed in four days _ John Grahame was the first one. Grahame is on a tryout contract with the Phantoms.

 
Posted by Sam Carchidi @ 3:22 PM  Permalink | 20 comments
20
Comments   
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 2:36 AM, 12/15/2009
    I think someone has already mentioned that even a blind squirrel finds a nut once in a while, and so it is with this Flyers team. They get a nice win against an OK team and folks think their problems have vanaished. But ask for a win against a meaningful opponent(read: quality division rival) and it's just too much. If Coach Lav put Carter on a wing with Richards at center I applaude that. If JVR gets his young groove back, then great. If the team starts the game with the same drive that they exhibit during a last ditch two minute drill at game's end, then that's fine too. But while so many are directing their disapointment at nearly every individual on this team - even the owner who's only sin is unlimited purchasing power in a cap environment- it must be painfully obvious that the results of the last few weeks are due to one thing only...a basic lack of dedication. So now we know that they remember how it's done. Still, few of us believe that they can replicate their effort against the Bruins and still have something even more to give to the upcomoing game against Pittsburgh. Focus. Execution. Commitment.
    — Blvd Al
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  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 9:32 AM, 12/15/2009
    I've seen this tease before. It is the upside you need to get stung by the downslide. Seatbelts anyone?
    — LaCroix,Nolet,Gendron
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 9:50 AM, 12/15/2009
    That wasn't a turning point, but it was proof that the Flyers are capable of competing if they choose. The Pens home and home is the pivotal gut check of the season. If they have a shred of pride left, its on the line this week.
    — no_shootouts
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 10:02 AM, 12/15/2009
    In reality, the Flyers for once weren;t burned by bounces that always seem to go in or into opponents sticks. The first period, Boston missed some opportunities. The Flyers second goal was off a Boston defender, something that has happened to Flyers too much recently. So they got the bounces their way for a chnage, but also did play a better complete game. It has to at least help confidence, but if it is a turning point won;t be known for at least another 5 games. Also Hartnell took too many penalties (again) and that should be dealt with.
    — mikemcnhl
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 10:56 AM, 12/15/2009
    Good effort, but they can do better. I'm shocked at a lot of the comments I've been reading - people suddenly act like the Flyers are a talentless group of duds. It's a slump people, Pens went through it most of last year. Get a grip, there are 50 freaking games left! And when this team gets hot again, which it WILL, do you really want to be the guy who had them golfing in early April because of a slump in December? By the way, Bouche is not getting NEARLY enough credit, he's playing AWESOME, and is giving these guys a chance every night. Personally, if he keeps this up, I say the Flyers ride him even after Emery is healthy, until he cracks, IF he does that is
    — dollarland
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 1:19 PM, 12/15/2009
    It's not just that they won, but the way they played, at least in the third period. They were moving their feet, forcing turnovers, and sending Bruins flying in the Bruins' end. They were playing in the middle of the ice instead of along the perimeter, and they were driving right over the Bruins instead of trying to out-talent them with low-percentage dangles and shots from impossible angles. One period of old-school Flyers hockey doesn't make a turnaround, but for the first time in weeks, we can permit ourselves to hope.
    — BloodOrange
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 2:29 PM, 12/15/2009
    It's become apparent Backlund isn't ready for NHL action. Sitting him behind Boucher does nothing for his game. By acquiring Leighton, Backlund can go back to the Phantoms and play regularly. Leighton is a better option than Grahame, who's been out of the league for 2 years. Coburn should fall to the 3rd pairing for awhile to get his game in order.
    — Richie Captain
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 3:51 PM, 12/15/2009
    Coburn has been awful, who cares when he comes back
    — kozykoz26
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 4:30 PM, 12/15/2009
    Can we make Coburn a healthy scratch please?
    — DrM
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 4:32 PM, 12/15/2009
    More goalies on the cheap.This team is going nowhere fast.
    — philly fan in cheyenne
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 4:33 PM, 12/15/2009
    So what happens to Grahame?
    — gizmo68
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 5:32 PM, 12/15/2009
    Ride Bouche?????? Are you serious????? Ride this.
    — NC Dennis
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 7:29 PM, 12/15/2009
    Ummm.... can we get Stevens back? This Pittsburgh game is off to another blazing start by the Flyers.
    — jmanship16


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About Sam Carchidi
Sam Carchidi is in his fourth year as the Flyers' beat reporter. He became an Inquirer staff writer in 1984 and covered mostly South Jersey high school sports and the Phillies before taking the Flyers beat.

Carchidi has written three books _ the nationally acclaimed Miracle in the Making: The Adam Taliaferro Story, which he co-authored with Scott Brown; Bill Campbell: The Voice of Philadelphia Sports; and Standing Tall: The Kevin Everett Story, which was featured on the Oprah Winfrey Show. He also contributed to a 1993 Inquirer book on the Phillies.

A lifelong South Jersey resident, Carchidi lives in Wenonah with his wife, JoAnn, and their two children, Sara and Sammy.

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