Tag Archives: Ilya Bryzgalov

January 13, 2012 · 2:55 pm

Bobrovsky Giving Flyers Reliable Starting Option

In a world in which money equals expectation and investment influences tough decisions, the Flyers are struggling within themselves to find the path to goaltending righteousness.

With a magnifying glass on their seemingly cursed goalie situation, do they keep trying to kick start struggling Ilya Bryzgalov by shoe-horning him into chances? Or do they give second-year goalie Sergei Bobrovsky an opportunity to steal the starting job?

Earning one-goal wins in back-to-back games this week, Bobrovsky has made that decision easier for his club. Despite kicking the beehive of controversy, he has proven to be the go-to guy.

Read More at Philly Sports Daily

Leave a comment

Filed under 2009-10 season

Tagged as , , ,

January 4, 2012 · 2:40 am

Snider Happy With Winter Classic Despite Flyers Loss

CITIZENS BANK PARK — It wasn’t the conclusion Ed Snider wanted, but even a heartbreaking Flyers loss to the rival New York Rangers on Monday couldn’t damper the chairman’s feelings about the Philadelphia-hosted Winter Classic.

“It was an incredible weekend for the city, for the fans,” said Snider, from the Phillies’ clubhouse in the bowels of Citizens Bank Park. “And I think everyone had a great time until the end. We would have liked to have won the game, but I’m proud at how the team played, we had opportunities to win it and I think we played very well. It’s a long season and I’m not disappointed.”

Pulling in 46,967 fans for the primary event would have been viewed as a rousing success for the Flyers and NHL, who co-hosted the event. But with 45,808 fans also entering the building for Saturday’s Flyers—Rangers alumni game, Snider believes the Philadelphia fans sent the fifth annual Winter Classic weekend to new heights.

“It came off better than I could have imagined,” said Snider. “The alumni game was a sell out and it set a new standard for the league. We are really proud of of our fans.

Read More at Philly Sports Daily

Leave a comment

Filed under 2009-10 season

Tagged as , , , ,

December 29, 2011 · 10:53 pm

Bobrovsky Makes Case as Flyers Winter Classic Starter

It was an important rivalry game against good competition in a pressurized environment.

And the Flyers goaltender stood tall to prop up his team and also preserve the win.

However, the rarity wasn’t provided by franchise selection and HBO star Ilya Bryzgalov. It was the other Russian, Sergei Bobrovsky, who made 24 saves in Thursday night’s 4-2 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins at Consol Energy Center.

With Bobrovsky’s confident outing, his second in a row after earning the 4-1 win in Dallas, the young goalie also handed coach Peter Laviolette some serious roster questions for the highly anticipated Winter Classic game against the New York Rangers on Monday at Citizens Bank Park.

If the Flyers wanted the best chance to win outdoors in front of the nation, they’d buck expectation and select Bobrovsky, the current steadier hand, as their choice between the pipes.

Read More at Philly Sports Daily

Leave a comment

Filed under 2011-12 Season

Tagged as , , , , , ,

December 28, 2011 · 1:12 am

Bryzgalov Failing to Pull Weight and Contract with Flyers

In a season filled with average-at-best play from their $51-million franchise goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov, the horrid 5-1 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning on Tuesday night may be the low point.

And that’s saying something.

Bryzgalov allowed five goals on 16 shots, made just 11 saves and provided little help to his team which carried play throughout. He posted a .688 save percentage and was thoroughly outplayed by Lightning backup Mathieu Garon. Bryzgalov’s positioning was poor, his rebound control was questionable and most of all, his ability to keep the Flyers in the game was non-existent.

Read More at Philly Sports Daily

3 Comments

Filed under 2011-12 Season

Tagged as , ,

October 7, 2011 · 11:18 am

Holmgren’s Plan for Flyers Looks Good After One Game

For one night, Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren can relax.

With a defensive-minded and perfectly-executed 2-1 road win against the defending Stanley Cup Champion Boston Bruins on Thursday at TD Garden, the young Flyers made the mad scientist GM look like a genius.

His plan came together.

“It’s a new team and like I said, it was pretty exciting to see everybody working hard and everybody working together,” said Claude Giroux, who scored the team’s first goal. “The attitude was great out there.”

Read More at Philly Sports Daily

Leave a comment

Filed under 2011-12 Season

Tagged as , , , , , , ,

June 18, 2011 · 12:18 pm

Bruins Thomas Proves to Flyers That Goaltending Still Matters

As he grabbed the Stanley Cup from the hands of teammate Mark Recchi on Wednesday and raised it to the rafters in celebration at Rogers Arena, Boston Bruins goalie Tim Thomas made a statement.

The Conn Smythe winner, who almost single-handedly toppled the President’s Trophy-winning Vancouver Canucks in seven games, sent a message that rang throughout the NHL.

That message was, “Yeah, you do need goaltending to win a Stanley Cup.”

Read More at Philly Sports Daily

Leave a comment

Filed under 2011 offseason

Tagged as , , , , ,

June 9, 2011 · 5:09 pm

In Bryzgalov, Flyers Have Right Man for the Job

Immediately following their eye-opening sweep by the Boston Bruins in the second round of the playoffs, general manager Paul Holmgren and the Flyers went on a job hunt.

Read More at Philly Sports Daily

Leave a comment

Filed under 2011 offseason

Tagged as , , , ,

June 8, 2011 · 2:47 am

Flyers Get Their Man in Bryzgalov, Now Need Money

With the headstrong decision to acquire the rights to Phoenix Coyotes goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov on Tuesday, the Flyers and general manager Paul Holmgren have got a legitimate No. 1 in their grasp.

Now they just need the money to pay him.

“We didn’t make this trade to acquire his rights just to hang around,” said Holmgren on a conference call. “We’re going to try our best to get him signed.”

Read More at Philly Sports Daily

Leave a comment

Filed under 2011 offseason

Tagged as , , ,

May 15, 2011 · 1:02 pm

Philly Sports Daily: What Will it Take for Flyers to Land Bryzgalov?

With their need for a bona fide starting goaltender listed as top priority in the offseason for the Flyers, all eyes shifted immediately to Phoenix Coyotes backstop Ilya Bryzgalov, who will become an unrestricted free agent on July 1.

But while Flyer fans fall in love with the prospect of acquiring the soon-to-be 31-year old 2010 Vezina Trophy runner-up, one giant hurdle could stand in their way — Coyotes general manager Don Maloney.

“I think the process is identifying priorities, who’s the most important and the second-most important and on down the line and then going out and executing your plan,” Maloney told the Arizona Republic. “Certainly, Ilya Bryzgalov is very important to us.”

Read More

Leave a comment

Filed under 2010-11 Playoffs

Tagged as , ,