The Philadelphia Flyers blew a 2-0 third period lead but were bailed out in overtime by Andrej Meszaros. The Czech native’s wrist shot at 1:07 in the extra session propelled the Flyers to a 3-2 home victory over their Eastern Conference nemesis. Washington came up on the short end after posting a pair of goals by Mike Knuble and Alexander Ovechkin to force overtime. Meszaros punched the winning goal through to beat Semyon Varlamov. It was just the second goal of the season for the first year Flyer skater. Meszaros split time in Ottawa and Tampa Bay before coming to the City of Brotherly Love. Tuesday marked the sixth straight overtime loss for the visiting Capitals.
The Capitals controlled play for most of the first 20 minutes but East-leading Philadelphia held a 1-0 edge after the opening period. Jeff Carter scored on a wraparound goal for his 20th of the season to give Philly the early lead. Michal Neuvirth started the game in net for the Caps, but was replaced after the first period due to injury. Carter fed the puck to All-Star Claude Giroux, who snuck the puck through the posts, with 6:22 left in the second period. The Capitals trailed 2-0 after two periods and were limited to less than 30 shots on goal for the 11th straight game. Washington managed just 12 shots on goal in the first 40 minutes. Sergei Bobrovsky was brilliant as the Philly netminder through two sessions. Bobrovsky finished with 23 saves.
Washington’s first goal came at 7:58 in the final frame. Rookie center for Washington, Marcus Johansson stripped the puck and tried to score. Johansson’s shot missed the goal. Knuble recovered the puck and slung his 11th goal through the net to put the Caps on board against his former team. Less than a minute later, Ovechkin fired a shot that scooted behind Bobrovsky and tied the game at 2-2. It was Ovechkin’s 16th goal and it erased the Flyers’ advantage. Washington went without a power play opportunity during Tuesday’s contest and failed to score the go-ahead goal before suffering defeat in overtime. The Flyers benefited from just one power play chance but the extra-man opportunity passed without a Philly goal. Instead, the teams battled against each other into an extra period for the third time this season. The Capitals now sit fifth in the East, seven points behind the front-running Flyers. Head coach, Paul Holmgren, earned a three year contract extension with the Flyers yesterday.
Parting Points: Federer over Simon in a five set second round thriller.
I’m tired of the Carmelo Anthony rumors already.
Showing posts with label Philadelphia Flyers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Philadelphia Flyers. Show all posts
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Supreme Skepticism to Stan-tastic
Most NHL fans didn’t anticipate the Philadelphia Flyers or the Montreal Canadiens fighting for the Eastern Conference and a chance to play in the Stanley Cup this season. Both proved skeptics wrong by advancing to the conference finals. The Canadiens upended the Capitals and defending champion Penguins. The Flyers were the last team to make the post-season on a shootout win in the final game of the regular season. Philadelphia went on to top the Devils before making history by besting the Bruins in four straight games. The Flyers became the first team to erase a 3-0 deficit and win a series in 35 years. Now, Philadelphia is high flying and back in their eighth Stanley Cup finals after eliminating Montreal 4-2 in the clinching Game 5 Monday night. The Flyers will face the Western conference-winning Blackhawks in Game 1 this Saturday.
Philadelphia netminder, Michael Leighton, allowed a goal 59 seconds into Game 5 but shutdown the Canadiens the rest of the way to help the Flyers earn the East. The 29 year old Ontario native made 25 saves to run his playoff record to 6-1. Leighton wasn’t even on the team’s roster in the beginning of the playoffs. Both skating squads were 0-for-6 on power play opportunities at Wachovia Center last night. The guest Canadiens were first to find the net on Brian Gionta’s ninth post-season goal but the Flyers offense ignited for three unanswered goals to plow ahead 3-1 after three periods. Jaroslav Halak, the crafty Canadien goalie, made 22 stops and yielded all three goals. Philadelphia’s gold medal winning captain, Mike Richards, tied the game with a first period goal and later added two assists. Richards’ tenacious tap-in slap came after an aggressive Halak collided with his own teammate, leaving an abandoned net as ripe for the taking for the captain.
Arron Asham provided Philadelphia’s first lead in the opening minutes of the second period. Jeff Carter, the Flyers’ regular season scoring leader, notched a pair of goals sandwiched between a Montreal tally by Scott Gomez. Carter’s second period shot from the far post occurred just over a minute after Asham hit the puck between the posts. Gomez’s third period goal wasn’t enough to save the Habs from going 6-0 in elimination games. Instead, the eighth-seeded Canadiens fell for the first time this season in decisive series-clinching games. Carter sent Philadelphia home champions with a put-away empty-netter for the game’s final goal. The spectacular Flyers have stuffed the skeptics by dropping the Canadiens in five games.
Parting Points: Song of the day- Staind’s “It’s Been A While”
Philadelphia netminder, Michael Leighton, allowed a goal 59 seconds into Game 5 but shutdown the Canadiens the rest of the way to help the Flyers earn the East. The 29 year old Ontario native made 25 saves to run his playoff record to 6-1. Leighton wasn’t even on the team’s roster in the beginning of the playoffs. Both skating squads were 0-for-6 on power play opportunities at Wachovia Center last night. The guest Canadiens were first to find the net on Brian Gionta’s ninth post-season goal but the Flyers offense ignited for three unanswered goals to plow ahead 3-1 after three periods. Jaroslav Halak, the crafty Canadien goalie, made 22 stops and yielded all three goals. Philadelphia’s gold medal winning captain, Mike Richards, tied the game with a first period goal and later added two assists. Richards’ tenacious tap-in slap came after an aggressive Halak collided with his own teammate, leaving an abandoned net as ripe for the taking for the captain.
Arron Asham provided Philadelphia’s first lead in the opening minutes of the second period. Jeff Carter, the Flyers’ regular season scoring leader, notched a pair of goals sandwiched between a Montreal tally by Scott Gomez. Carter’s second period shot from the far post occurred just over a minute after Asham hit the puck between the posts. Gomez’s third period goal wasn’t enough to save the Habs from going 6-0 in elimination games. Instead, the eighth-seeded Canadiens fell for the first time this season in decisive series-clinching games. Carter sent Philadelphia home champions with a put-away empty-netter for the game’s final goal. The spectacular Flyers have stuffed the skeptics by dropping the Canadiens in five games.
Parting Points: Song of the day- Staind’s “It’s Been A While”
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Four For Flyers
Baffled Bruins Beaten in Boston
It was either utter lunacy or a mere atrocity, depending on which perspective you take. Comebacks such as last night are more historical than Jamie Moyer taking the mound for another season. The resilient Philadelphia Flyers overcame a 3-0 series deficit and 3-0 hole in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals to best the Bruins 4-3 in Boston. That means the Flyers scored four straight goals and defeated Boston four straight times. The seventh seeded Flyers advanced Friday to face eighth seeded Montreal in an unlikely Eastern Conference final beginning Sunday. Boston becomes just the fourth team in NHL history to lose a series after winning the first three games.
Boston sizzled from the start and sailed out to a 3-0 lead with home ice advantage in their favor. Michael Ryder and Milan Lucic collected power play goals for the home team within the first fourteen minutes of the contest. Lucic slipped an unassisted puck past Michael Leighton, again with 5:50 left in the first period for a 3-0 blitzing Boston edge. James van Reimsdyk found the back of the net for the first time this series with 2:48 remaining in the opening period to cut the Bruins’ lead to 3-1. Claude Giroux was credited with the assist on the first Flyers’ goal that gave Philadelphia life. Philadelphia worked quickly to silence the crowd and held the Bruins without a shot for a span of ten minutes in the second period.
Pete Laviolette’s Flyers were ferocious during the second period as they scored twice to knot the game at three. Scott Hartnell backhanded a rebound at 2:49 into the second and Daniel Briere solved Tuuka Rask with a wraparound attempt at 8:39 to tie the game. Rask made 23 stops but the Flyers were the beneficiaries of some good bounces and bad breaks by the Bruins. Boston was whistled for having too many men on the ice at 11:10 into the final period. The game remained tied until Philadelphia’s Simon Gagne buried the Bruins with his fourth post-season goal off a blocked shot. The Flyers made the lead stand on the road to send Boston home with an historical collapse. Gagne’s wrist shot goal occurred on a power play, where the Flyers went 1 for 3. Gagne, who began the series with a broken toe, was the hero for Philly in Game 4 when he prevented a series sweep by potting the deciding goal in overtime. Last night, he capped off the last of four unanswered goals by the Flyers. Philadelphia toppled the Devils in round one, defeated Boston in four straight games and have now earned the right to play for a chance in the Stanley Cup Finals. The Flyers are fabulously fine in elimination games this season.
Parting Points: Song for Saturday- “Boulevard of Broken Dreams”- Green Day
I love seeing an ARod grand slam. It would be even sweeter if he did the same Monday against Boston.
It was either utter lunacy or a mere atrocity, depending on which perspective you take. Comebacks such as last night are more historical than Jamie Moyer taking the mound for another season. The resilient Philadelphia Flyers overcame a 3-0 series deficit and 3-0 hole in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals to best the Bruins 4-3 in Boston. That means the Flyers scored four straight goals and defeated Boston four straight times. The seventh seeded Flyers advanced Friday to face eighth seeded Montreal in an unlikely Eastern Conference final beginning Sunday. Boston becomes just the fourth team in NHL history to lose a series after winning the first three games.
Boston sizzled from the start and sailed out to a 3-0 lead with home ice advantage in their favor. Michael Ryder and Milan Lucic collected power play goals for the home team within the first fourteen minutes of the contest. Lucic slipped an unassisted puck past Michael Leighton, again with 5:50 left in the first period for a 3-0 blitzing Boston edge. James van Reimsdyk found the back of the net for the first time this series with 2:48 remaining in the opening period to cut the Bruins’ lead to 3-1. Claude Giroux was credited with the assist on the first Flyers’ goal that gave Philadelphia life. Philadelphia worked quickly to silence the crowd and held the Bruins without a shot for a span of ten minutes in the second period.
Pete Laviolette’s Flyers were ferocious during the second period as they scored twice to knot the game at three. Scott Hartnell backhanded a rebound at 2:49 into the second and Daniel Briere solved Tuuka Rask with a wraparound attempt at 8:39 to tie the game. Rask made 23 stops but the Flyers were the beneficiaries of some good bounces and bad breaks by the Bruins. Boston was whistled for having too many men on the ice at 11:10 into the final period. The game remained tied until Philadelphia’s Simon Gagne buried the Bruins with his fourth post-season goal off a blocked shot. The Flyers made the lead stand on the road to send Boston home with an historical collapse. Gagne’s wrist shot goal occurred on a power play, where the Flyers went 1 for 3. Gagne, who began the series with a broken toe, was the hero for Philly in Game 4 when he prevented a series sweep by potting the deciding goal in overtime. Last night, he capped off the last of four unanswered goals by the Flyers. Philadelphia toppled the Devils in round one, defeated Boston in four straight games and have now earned the right to play for a chance in the Stanley Cup Finals. The Flyers are fabulously fine in elimination games this season.
Parting Points: Song for Saturday- “Boulevard of Broken Dreams”- Green Day
I love seeing an ARod grand slam. It would be even sweeter if he did the same Monday against Boston.
Friday, April 23, 2010
Demolition Devils Disappointing Defeat
The Devils couldn’t avert another early playoff exit. New Jersey has the dreadful honor of being the first team eliminated in the post-season after falling at home Thursday night to the Flyers. Seventh-seeded Philadelphia shutout the second seeded Devils to advance to the NHL semifinal round. New Jersey has been unsavory in the first round in past three seasons. This year was supposed to be different for Atlantic Division winning Devils, who punched a playoff ticket for the 13th straight season. New Jersey squandered every opportunity and couldn’t beat the brilliant Brain Boucher in the series-clincher.
Boucher made 28 saves for his second career post-season shutout during the Devils’ demolition elimination at the Prudential Center. Martin Brodeur, the league’s all-time wins leader, stopped 18 in the loss. New Jersey was 0-for-8 on power play opportunities, while the Flyers capitalized on their first penalty of the game to go 2-for-6 on one-man advantages. Philadelphia’s special teams killed the Devils during this series. Danny Briere scored a short-handed goal at 3:16 in the first period on a backhanded pass by Mike Richards. The Philadelphia captain, Richards, recorded two assists on the red and black and finished with eight points in the series. His second assist came during a second period Claude Giroux goal. Giroux blew two by Brodeur during a two minute span as the Flyers skated to a 3-0 lead. The 22 year old Ontario native’s second tally came on a Flyers’ power play. Scott Hartnell corralled a Briere rebound and sent it across the crease to Giroux for the flip-on goal. Giroux really stepped up for Pete Laviolette’s club with stars Jeff Carter and Simon Gagne sidelined.
Boucher made the offense stand up and the Flyers fended off three penalties in the final 20 minutes to preserve the shutout. New Jersey provided very little offensive challenges to Boucher. Ilya Kovalchuck bounced a hard drive off the goalie’s pad in the first, Patrik Elias’s slap was batted down and Zach Parise unsuccessfully attempted the rebound goal. Boucher turned aside David Clarkson, stopped Paul Martin, robbed Brian Rolston and denied the dangerous Parise on a short-handed slap all in a night’s work. Even Philadelphia’s plentiful penalties weren’t enough to extend Jacques Lemaire’s dreary Devils’ post-season stint. The Devils’ sixth power play of the game was killed after Philadelphia’s Ian Laperriere blocked a shot early in the third period. Laperriere took a puck off the face on a Martin shot from the point as New Jersey was sent home early. The Devils were given 32 power play opportunities during the five games but were unable to score on all but four.
Parting Points: NFL news updates- Big Ben suspended six games, Sam Bradford goes number one to St. Louis and Drew Brees is the new Madden cover boy
Boucher made 28 saves for his second career post-season shutout during the Devils’ demolition elimination at the Prudential Center. Martin Brodeur, the league’s all-time wins leader, stopped 18 in the loss. New Jersey was 0-for-8 on power play opportunities, while the Flyers capitalized on their first penalty of the game to go 2-for-6 on one-man advantages. Philadelphia’s special teams killed the Devils during this series. Danny Briere scored a short-handed goal at 3:16 in the first period on a backhanded pass by Mike Richards. The Philadelphia captain, Richards, recorded two assists on the red and black and finished with eight points in the series. His second assist came during a second period Claude Giroux goal. Giroux blew two by Brodeur during a two minute span as the Flyers skated to a 3-0 lead. The 22 year old Ontario native’s second tally came on a Flyers’ power play. Scott Hartnell corralled a Briere rebound and sent it across the crease to Giroux for the flip-on goal. Giroux really stepped up for Pete Laviolette’s club with stars Jeff Carter and Simon Gagne sidelined.
Boucher made the offense stand up and the Flyers fended off three penalties in the final 20 minutes to preserve the shutout. New Jersey provided very little offensive challenges to Boucher. Ilya Kovalchuck bounced a hard drive off the goalie’s pad in the first, Patrik Elias’s slap was batted down and Zach Parise unsuccessfully attempted the rebound goal. Boucher turned aside David Clarkson, stopped Paul Martin, robbed Brian Rolston and denied the dangerous Parise on a short-handed slap all in a night’s work. Even Philadelphia’s plentiful penalties weren’t enough to extend Jacques Lemaire’s dreary Devils’ post-season stint. The Devils’ sixth power play of the game was killed after Philadelphia’s Ian Laperriere blocked a shot early in the third period. Laperriere took a puck off the face on a Martin shot from the point as New Jersey was sent home early. The Devils were given 32 power play opportunities during the five games but were unable to score on all but four.
Parting Points: NFL news updates- Big Ben suspended six games, Sam Bradford goes number one to St. Louis and Drew Brees is the new Madden cover boy
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Split Series
New Jersey put away the Philadelphia Flyers 5-3 at the Prudential Center Friday to even the first round series at one all. Danius Zubrus powered home the fourth goal with four minutes left to play to give the Devils a one score cushion in game two of the Eastern conference playoff series. Ilya Kovalchuk deposited the final goal for the decisive Devils’ victory. New Jersey held the seventh seeded Flyers to a pair of power play goals as the Flyers failed to capitalize on the one-man advantage most of the night. The Devils were a man down seven times but Philadelphia couldn’t solve their solid defense in this best-of-seven series. New Jersey has topped the Flyers just twice in eight tries this season.
Brian Boucher stopped 28 in goal for Philadelphia, while New Jersey netminder, Martin Brodeur, made 26 saves. Brodeur was stingy, snuffing and stopping break-in shots by Daniel Carcillo and Ian Laperriere with eight minutes in regulation to keep the score knotted at 3-3. The Devils jumped out to a 1-0 lead on Zach Parise’s backhanded goal at 2:45 in the first period. Patrik Elias picked up a loose puck and fed it to Parise for one of Elias’ three assists. New Jersey gave up their first lead in the series before the first period horn sounded. The Flyers scored two goals on their first five shots. Arron Asham and Claude Giroux tallied goals for the visiting Flyers to give Philadelphia a 2-1 edge. Asham tipped the puck off the post for the first goal and Giroux muscled in front of Brodeur for the follow-up flick. New Jersey put it together in front of a sold-out Newark crowd to erase the Flyers’ lead. The Devils took a 3-2 advantage on a pair of goals by their defensemen. Colin White evened the score at 2-2 early in the second period. It was White’s first playoff goal in nine years. Andy Greene netted the third New Jersey goal on a power play midway through the period. Greene re-directed an Elias pass past Boucher for the Devils’ second lead of the game. It wasn’t always pretty for the Devils’ defensemen. White and Greene combined for four penalties. Chris Pronger chipped in a goal to tie the game at three apiece on a Flyers’ power play. Despite the Pronger goal, the Devils’ defense was excellent on penalty kills and took the momentum of their second period comeback into the final period. Brodeur was even more brilliant as the shining star.
Zubrus’ goal came off a rebound to key the Atlantic Division champion Devils’ late push. The Flyers were slow in clearing the zone and unable to stop the speedy skaters from New Jersey in the third period. Zubrus and Parise took whacks at the puck, but it was Zubrus who was credited with the game-winner at 15:56. Philadelphia was awarded the contest’s first power play on Kovalchuk’s elbow to the aggressive Carcillo, but it was the New Jersey newcomer who finished off the evening’s scoring with an empty net goal at 19:27. The former Atlanta Thrasher logged 21 minutes of ice time and was charged with three penalties in Friday’s feisty exchange. New Jersey captain, Jamie Langenbrunner, attempted five shots and finished with an assist on the final goal as the Devils dodged the Flyers. Philadelphia’s captain, Mike Richards, managed two assists in the losing effort. Game three is scheduled for Sunday at the Wachovia Center.
Parting Points: The Penguins and Red Wings both bounced back to even their first round series.
The NBA second season starts today. Did your team make it?
Brian Boucher stopped 28 in goal for Philadelphia, while New Jersey netminder, Martin Brodeur, made 26 saves. Brodeur was stingy, snuffing and stopping break-in shots by Daniel Carcillo and Ian Laperriere with eight minutes in regulation to keep the score knotted at 3-3. The Devils jumped out to a 1-0 lead on Zach Parise’s backhanded goal at 2:45 in the first period. Patrik Elias picked up a loose puck and fed it to Parise for one of Elias’ three assists. New Jersey gave up their first lead in the series before the first period horn sounded. The Flyers scored two goals on their first five shots. Arron Asham and Claude Giroux tallied goals for the visiting Flyers to give Philadelphia a 2-1 edge. Asham tipped the puck off the post for the first goal and Giroux muscled in front of Brodeur for the follow-up flick. New Jersey put it together in front of a sold-out Newark crowd to erase the Flyers’ lead. The Devils took a 3-2 advantage on a pair of goals by their defensemen. Colin White evened the score at 2-2 early in the second period. It was White’s first playoff goal in nine years. Andy Greene netted the third New Jersey goal on a power play midway through the period. Greene re-directed an Elias pass past Boucher for the Devils’ second lead of the game. It wasn’t always pretty for the Devils’ defensemen. White and Greene combined for four penalties. Chris Pronger chipped in a goal to tie the game at three apiece on a Flyers’ power play. Despite the Pronger goal, the Devils’ defense was excellent on penalty kills and took the momentum of their second period comeback into the final period. Brodeur was even more brilliant as the shining star.
Zubrus’ goal came off a rebound to key the Atlantic Division champion Devils’ late push. The Flyers were slow in clearing the zone and unable to stop the speedy skaters from New Jersey in the third period. Zubrus and Parise took whacks at the puck, but it was Zubrus who was credited with the game-winner at 15:56. Philadelphia was awarded the contest’s first power play on Kovalchuk’s elbow to the aggressive Carcillo, but it was the New Jersey newcomer who finished off the evening’s scoring with an empty net goal at 19:27. The former Atlanta Thrasher logged 21 minutes of ice time and was charged with three penalties in Friday’s feisty exchange. New Jersey captain, Jamie Langenbrunner, attempted five shots and finished with an assist on the final goal as the Devils dodged the Flyers. Philadelphia’s captain, Mike Richards, managed two assists in the losing effort. Game three is scheduled for Sunday at the Wachovia Center.
Parting Points: The Penguins and Red Wings both bounced back to even their first round series.
The NBA second season starts today. Did your team make it?
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Thursday Take-Twos (NHL playoff edition)
Derek Morris buried the game-winning goal with less than three minutes into the third period to lift the lively Coyotes over the raucous Red Wings in a first round NHL matchup in Glendale. Fourth seeded Phoenix scored goals in each of the three periods to put away fifth seeded Detroit 3-2. Morris, traded to the Coyotes from Boston at the deadline, broke a 2-2 tie and assisted on two other power play goals. Ilya Bryzgalov was superb in net after allowing two Detroit goals in the first period. Bryzgalov made 38 saves as the Coyotes won their first playoff game since 2002. Red Wings’ 13 year veteran, Tomas Holmstrom, scored the first goal of the Western Conference series Wednesday. Nicklas Lidstrom followed Holmstrom with a power play goal as Detroit took an early advantage in their 19th straight playoff appearance. Lidstrom needed five stitches after taking a stick to the face in the third period. Phoenix was outshot 30-15 through the first two periods, but managed to find the net twice off the sticks of Ketih Yandle and Wojtek Wolski. Detroit goalie, Jimmy Howard, staved off 32 shots but his team fumbled 1-of-6 power play opportunities. The Coyotes split four regular season games with the Wings and were the stronger team last night. The Wings have the upper hand in previous playoff meetings with the Coytes. They certainly have more post-season experience. But now they must play catch-up in order to continue their Stanley Cup title chase.
Brian Boucher was brilliant for the Flyers in recording his first playoff victory in ten years. Philadelphia derailed the Devils on their home ice 2-1 in an Eastern Conference showdown between neighborhood rivals. Journeyman Boucher turned aside 23 shots, including a stifling save with ten seconds in regulation on an attempt by Patrik Elias. Boucher denied Zach Parise and Elias all night. Chris Pronger and Mike Richards added second period goals as the seventh seeded Flyers’ momentum continued into the first round playoff meeting. Philadelphia secured a playoff berth just this Sunday with an overtime win over the New York Rangers. New Jersey’s Martin Brodeur made just 12 saves and received little help from his offense. The Devils couldn’t put anything together, forced shots and couldn’t adjust on defense. A besieged Brodeur was thoroughly outdueled by Boucher. The home team had little answers for Boucher and the Flyers at the Rock. The Devils’ lone goal came in the third period but it was too late. Travis Zajac’s slap shot bounced in front of Boucher with 2:43 left to spoil the goalie’s shutout bid. New Jersey was an unsuccessful 0-for-5 on the power play. The Flyers grabbed home-ice advantage with the first win of the seven game series. The Devils are accustomed to being behind in the playoffs. New Jersey has not won a post-season series in three years. For the Devils’ sake, let’s hope this is not another first round exit.
Parting Points: Brandon Marshall was shipped from Denver to Miami. Who else will go shopping before the NFL schedule hits the newsstands on Tuesday?
More NHL playoff updates: The Pens dropped their post-season opener in a 5-4 grinder against Ottawa. Chris Stewart notched the game-winning goal for Avalanche as the Colorado clipped San Jose 2-1.
Thursday’s Tune- “Reason for Breathing” by Babyface
Brian Boucher was brilliant for the Flyers in recording his first playoff victory in ten years. Philadelphia derailed the Devils on their home ice 2-1 in an Eastern Conference showdown between neighborhood rivals. Journeyman Boucher turned aside 23 shots, including a stifling save with ten seconds in regulation on an attempt by Patrik Elias. Boucher denied Zach Parise and Elias all night. Chris Pronger and Mike Richards added second period goals as the seventh seeded Flyers’ momentum continued into the first round playoff meeting. Philadelphia secured a playoff berth just this Sunday with an overtime win over the New York Rangers. New Jersey’s Martin Brodeur made just 12 saves and received little help from his offense. The Devils couldn’t put anything together, forced shots and couldn’t adjust on defense. A besieged Brodeur was thoroughly outdueled by Boucher. The home team had little answers for Boucher and the Flyers at the Rock. The Devils’ lone goal came in the third period but it was too late. Travis Zajac’s slap shot bounced in front of Boucher with 2:43 left to spoil the goalie’s shutout bid. New Jersey was an unsuccessful 0-for-5 on the power play. The Flyers grabbed home-ice advantage with the first win of the seven game series. The Devils are accustomed to being behind in the playoffs. New Jersey has not won a post-season series in three years. For the Devils’ sake, let’s hope this is not another first round exit.
Parting Points: Brandon Marshall was shipped from Denver to Miami. Who else will go shopping before the NFL schedule hits the newsstands on Tuesday?
More NHL playoff updates: The Pens dropped their post-season opener in a 5-4 grinder against Ottawa. Chris Stewart notched the game-winning goal for Avalanche as the Colorado clipped San Jose 2-1.
Thursday’s Tune- “Reason for Breathing” by Babyface
Monday, April 12, 2010
Season Saved in Sizzling Shootout
The good news for the New York Rangers was they actually had a chance at making the playoffs before yesterday. The bad news is they couldn’t capitalize on that opportunity. Philadelphia’s Wachovia Center was the host of a winner-take-all contest between the Flyers and Rangers Saturday. The 82nd game of the NHL season would determine whether or not the host team would advance to the post-season or go home. It turned out favorably for the Flyers, who wrapped up the seventh seed in the Eastern conference. The visiting Blueshirts were eliminated from playoff contention after being clipped 2-1 in a shootout.
The Rangers were staring at a 10th seed at the end of March, but went on a 7-1-1 run to essentially make Sunday a one-game playoff. New York netminder, Henrik Lundqvist made 46 stuffing saves in Sunday’s loss. The relentless Ranger goalie put on a spectacular performance in stopping all but one shot during regulation. He was without question the star of the Rangers yesterday. Philadelphia fired 18 shots during the first twenty minutes but couldn’t slip one past Lundqvist. The Rangers made just four shots on goal during that time. Jody Shelley’s dart at 3:27 in the opening period enabled the visitors to grab a 1-0 lead. Shelley’s deflection off Michal Rozsival’s shot skidded past Flyer goalie, Brian Boucher. The Blueshirts held the lead for over 40 minutes even after the Flyers applied pressure.
Matt Carle found a way to get the puck past the talented Lundqvist with 13:06 remaining in regulation. Philadelphia’s young defenseman flip from the slot on a third period power play tied the game at 1-1. Carle stormed the net to chip in a third-chance shot for his sixth of the season. The Flyers moved the puck extremely well the remainder of the game. Their tight defense didn’t allow the Rangers many opportunities to score. The Blueshits turned the puck over too many times, but their focused goalie kept them in the game. It was enough to outlast the Flyers into overtime. Philadelphia tested Lundqvist with 15 shots in the second period before the game went to overtime. The Flyers made two more attempts in the extra session, but Lundqvist turned both aside. New York’s two attempts also went for naught and the heated battle would be decided in a shootout.
Danny Briere beat Lundqvist on backhand to forehand move for the first goal in Round 1 of the shootout. Boucher stopped the Rangers’ Erik Christensen on New York’s first attempt before Philadelphia captain, Mike Richards, was denied by Lundqvist. P.A. Parenteau tied the shootout by pinching in a goal in Round 2 for the Rangers. Claude Giroux joined the goal-scoring club when he found the back of the net in Round 3 to lift the Flyers to a 2-1 advantage. New York’s season came down to Olli Jokinen’s final attempt. Boucher’s diving stuff of Jokinen’s slap sent the Rangers home losers after 65 well-fought minutes of hockey. For Philadelphia, the season will continue at least through one round of the playoffs. The Flyers travel to nearby New Jersey for a playoff meeting with the second seeded Devils. Philadelphia was a Stanley Cup favorite in the beginning of the season but almost missed out on the playoffs.
Parting Points: Pittsburgh/West Virginia area sports news : Steelers quarterback, Ben Roethlisberger wasn’t charged with sexual assault and teammate Santonio Holmes was traded to the Jets. Mountaineers’ sophomore, Devin Ebanks, is leaving WVU for the NBA draft.
Congrats to Phil Mickelson on winning his third Masters.
The Rangers were staring at a 10th seed at the end of March, but went on a 7-1-1 run to essentially make Sunday a one-game playoff. New York netminder, Henrik Lundqvist made 46 stuffing saves in Sunday’s loss. The relentless Ranger goalie put on a spectacular performance in stopping all but one shot during regulation. He was without question the star of the Rangers yesterday. Philadelphia fired 18 shots during the first twenty minutes but couldn’t slip one past Lundqvist. The Rangers made just four shots on goal during that time. Jody Shelley’s dart at 3:27 in the opening period enabled the visitors to grab a 1-0 lead. Shelley’s deflection off Michal Rozsival’s shot skidded past Flyer goalie, Brian Boucher. The Blueshirts held the lead for over 40 minutes even after the Flyers applied pressure.
Matt Carle found a way to get the puck past the talented Lundqvist with 13:06 remaining in regulation. Philadelphia’s young defenseman flip from the slot on a third period power play tied the game at 1-1. Carle stormed the net to chip in a third-chance shot for his sixth of the season. The Flyers moved the puck extremely well the remainder of the game. Their tight defense didn’t allow the Rangers many opportunities to score. The Blueshits turned the puck over too many times, but their focused goalie kept them in the game. It was enough to outlast the Flyers into overtime. Philadelphia tested Lundqvist with 15 shots in the second period before the game went to overtime. The Flyers made two more attempts in the extra session, but Lundqvist turned both aside. New York’s two attempts also went for naught and the heated battle would be decided in a shootout.
Danny Briere beat Lundqvist on backhand to forehand move for the first goal in Round 1 of the shootout. Boucher stopped the Rangers’ Erik Christensen on New York’s first attempt before Philadelphia captain, Mike Richards, was denied by Lundqvist. P.A. Parenteau tied the shootout by pinching in a goal in Round 2 for the Rangers. Claude Giroux joined the goal-scoring club when he found the back of the net in Round 3 to lift the Flyers to a 2-1 advantage. New York’s season came down to Olli Jokinen’s final attempt. Boucher’s diving stuff of Jokinen’s slap sent the Rangers home losers after 65 well-fought minutes of hockey. For Philadelphia, the season will continue at least through one round of the playoffs. The Flyers travel to nearby New Jersey for a playoff meeting with the second seeded Devils. Philadelphia was a Stanley Cup favorite in the beginning of the season but almost missed out on the playoffs.
Parting Points: Pittsburgh/West Virginia area sports news : Steelers quarterback, Ben Roethlisberger wasn’t charged with sexual assault and teammate Santonio Holmes was traded to the Jets. Mountaineers’ sophomore, Devin Ebanks, is leaving WVU for the NBA draft.
Congrats to Phil Mickelson on winning his third Masters.
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