ECQF Game 1: Boucher silences critics, Flyers frustrate Kovalchuk in 2-1 victory
by Ben Rothenberg on Apr 14, 2010 10:50 PM EDT
in 2010 NHL Playoffs
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PrintIn front of a Newark crowd that was both embarrassingly sparse and delightfully orange, the Philadelphia Flyers jumped out to a 1-0 lead in their first round series against the #2 New Jersey Devils, beating them 2-1 in Game 1.
After a scoreless first which the Devils largely controlled, the Flyers drew the first blood of the series on a power play. Chris Pronger, standing in the crease far removed from his base of operations at the blueline, banked in the puck off a Devils' skate and in, making it 1-0 about halfway through regulation. Mike Richards made it a 2-1 contest on a high bullet with 4:33 to go in the second, sending the puck flying past Martin Brodeur's glove and careening hard off the back crossbar inside the net.
A goal by Travis Zajac with just under three minutes left in the third made the game far more interesting than it needed to be in the final stages. But even with Brodeur pulled and some sustained puck possession, the Devils never really got any great looks at tying the game at the end. The Flyers got a clear after a faceoff to the right of Boucher with 10 seconds left, and that was all she wrote.
So the Flyers won Game 1. It's awesome, but it's only the beginning.
Some more thoughts on the Flyers' win, in easily digestible bullet points.
- The big story of this game is obviously Brian Boucher, who, if only momentarily, silenced doubters by thoroughly outdueling Martin Brodeur. Boucher's positioning, anticipation, and battling for the crease were all near flawless, and the only goal he let in was solely due to a severe deflection off Ian Laperriere's stick. Boucher's 23 saves on 24 shots was good for a .958 save percentage, making him the only one of the four goalies in the early games to even break .860 in that category.
- The main blemish on this win, from the Flyers' perspective, is the ridiculously low number of shots (14) the Flyers managed to get on Martin Brodeur. They had far more than that after one period against the Rangers on Sunday. Hopefully it just serves as a demoralizing takeaway from this game for the Devils, and the Flyers at least manage to break 20 next time around.
- The Flyers penalty kill looked incredibly sexy out there. They killed all four penalties with some ease, including a double-minor for high sticking that was called against Oskars Bartulis midway through the third period. The Flyer power play didn't look especially good, but the penalty kill was definitely the more important factor.
- Scott Hartnell drew a penalty, and did not take any. I would have lost some serious money betting on that differential.
- Peter Laviolette called the Flyers timeout after the Devils goal, effectively dampening their momentum and cementing his reputation as the best timeout caller in NHL history.
- Matt Carle looked as good as he did in October and November. Which is to say that he looked really good.
1,300+ comments tonight, a BSH record. Thanks for making it possible, everybody. Let's double it in Game 2.
After the jump, questions with answers and some attempt to find the comment of the night. Go Flyers.
Questions with Answers
- Do the Flyers control the pace from the outset? Not really. Things were pretty even at the start.
- Will Chris Pronger let his presence be known immediately? Pronger was a straight up MAN all night long, including while he sat in the crease on the PP, where he scored his goal.
- Does Martin Brodeur look shaky, as he has all year against the Flyers? He didn't look like Marty of old, that's for sure.
- How many fans will JVR have in attendance? Shocked that the CSN crew didn't mention this.
- How many Flyers fans in general make the trek? Conflicting reports. I heard that there were a lot, I've also heard there were a little. One thing is for sure, though: the ones who were there were LOUD. BOOOOOSH chants rained down from the seats all night long.
- Do the Devils get Kovalchuk out against Coburn and Bartulis a lot? Can Coburn step up his game? Kovalchuk was hilariously frustrated all night long.
- Can the Flyers stay out of the penalty box? Looking at you, Scott. No, they couldn't. But the penalties weren't the stupid kind that Hartnell is accustomed to taking.
Comment of the Night
1. Boosh
2. Richie
3. Devils fans (for not showing up)>> EREX21
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Ladies and gentlemen, I have one thing to say:
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOSH!
That is all.
Okay, I lied. Really nice game by Richards, Matt Carle is the fracking man, and Chris Pronger is the eternal template through whom all fracking men are made.
Mission of winning a game in Dirty Jerz accomplished.
Do you see what happens when you find a stranger in the Alps?
u watch BSG mike?
TAKE THE FALL, ACT HURT, GET INDIGNANT
by CoburnsCuddleBuddy on Apr 14, 2010 11:26 PM EDT up reply actions
I’m sure it is, but I don’t watch a lot of TV except for Flyers/Phils/Eagles, and the occasional jaunt into Public TV territory. I feel good when Philly teams win, get pissed off when they lose, and laugh out loud when Jay-Z tells Charlie Rose that “You can’t ‘executive produce’ an executive producer.”
Do you see what happens when you find a stranger in the Alps?
by mikefive on Apr 14, 2010 11:44 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
was only asking because instead of the word “fuck” they use the word “frack”
TAKE THE FALL, ACT HURT, GET INDIGNANT
by CoburnsCuddleBuddy on Apr 14, 2010 11:55 PM EDT up reply actions
With over 1,300 comments I do not envy whoever is choosing the comment of the night. Although I bet over 100 of those were simply : BOOOOOOOOSHHHHHHHH!
"Good night. Good hockey."
by KreiderDesigns on Apr 14, 2010 11:06 PM EDT reply actions
You think only 100? I’m half tempted to count em now…
by DragonGirl0583 on Apr 14, 2010 11:14 PM EDT up reply actions
I said over. Haha. Don’t hold me to it!
"Good night. Good hockey."
by KreiderDesigns on Apr 14, 2010 11:15 PM EDT up reply actions
Wow, no you were totally closer than me, it was only about 50…. I expected higher.
by DragonGirl0583 on Apr 14, 2010 11:16 PM EDT up reply actions
First off, Wow you counted? That’s only slightly crazy, but totally endearing.
Secondly, only about 50!?! Where’s the love people!
"Good night. Good hockey."
by KreiderDesigns on Apr 14, 2010 11:23 PM EDT up reply actions
Actually I cheated, I used the find to get a count and then glanced over the results to see roughly how many weren’t really BOOOOSH chants. It took all of about a minute and a half.
by DragonGirl0583 on Apr 14, 2010 11:25 PM EDT up reply actions
Aww…I pictured you staring at your computer with your little notepad and a pen, placing tally marks carefully in order. Haha. Smart thinking though.
"Good night. Good hockey."
by KreiderDesigns on Apr 14, 2010 11:29 PM EDT up reply actions
Hey that notepad helped when I had to give you all personalized directions home…. Don’t insult the ever-present notebook.
by DragonGirl0583 on Apr 14, 2010 11:36 PM EDT up reply actions
Not insulting, quietly revering and coveting.
"Good night. Good hockey."
by KreiderDesigns on Apr 14, 2010 11:37 PM EDT up reply actions
Hahaha, I’m just kidding. I’m sure you all think I’m crazy anyway, not that it matters, I’m a relatively good kind of crazy
by DragonGirl0583 on Apr 14, 2010 11:38 PM EDT up reply actions
Crazy good at giving directions and avoiding traffic. I totally flew home over the Commodore Barry. That was awesome!
"Good night. Good hockey."
by KreiderDesigns on Apr 14, 2010 11:41 PM EDT up reply actions
lol, what, all the Phily people couldn’t find their way out of SJ after the game ?
by JerseyDriver on Apr 14, 2010 11:38 PM EDT up reply actions
For the record, I’m not a Philly Person. I"m a South Central PA person.
"Good night. Good hockey."
by KreiderDesigns on Apr 14, 2010 11:40 PM EDT up reply actions
No, I helped them go around the traffic leaving the game… I’d sort of a human map, it’s kind of a sad talent.
by DragonGirl0583 on Apr 14, 2010 11:42 PM EDT up reply actions
Nothing sad about that, I hate waiting in traffic and stopping in general
by JerseyDriver on Apr 15, 2010 12:22 AM EDT up reply actions
I don’t know why but whenever I see Ian Laperriere play I just get so happy. Don’t know whether it’s because he literally goes all out to play the game or because he plays with the most heart I have seen anyone on the Flyers in a long time. A very good addition to the team in my opinion and I am glad he is here.
Myself and Matt Carle share the same birthday :)
Now that I have really seen Boosh do his best, I am starting to think I don’t really want/need Michael Leighton back. I mean yeah sure to have a legitimate backup goalie is always good but Boosh is unstoppable.
GO FLYERS
By the way:
2-1 victoy
Do you pronounce that “vick-TWAH” or “vick-TOY”? Also:
Mike Richards made it a 2-1 contest on a high bullet with 4:33 to go in the second
Fix that shit!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Only kidding. It’s the old English teacher in me that can’t let that stuff go.
Do you see what happens when you find a stranger in the Alps?
jeez, in the headline nonetheless. My bad.
Broad Street Hockey - SBN's Philadelphia Flyers blog. Got goaltending? Searching since 1987.
by Travis Hughes on Apr 14, 2010 11:19 PM EDT up reply actions
For those interested, Throw The Snake has been mentioned on both TSN and CBC tonight with only Versus keeping quiet about the whole ordeal.
Proudly supporting a Flyers team with "no honor".
I’m really late to the game on this whole thing, can someone explain it to me? Or at least point me to a link that will do so?
"Good night. Good hockey."
by KreiderDesigns on Apr 14, 2010 11:29 PM EDT up reply actions
Some one on Twitter started this thing, and now it’s everywhere. Not sure on the specifics, but it has something to do with the octopus.
by JerseyDriver on Apr 14, 2010 11:31 PM EDT up reply actions
http://www.sbnation.com/2010/4/12/1417253/throw-the-snake-phoenix-coyotes-travis-hair
Broad Street Hockey - SBN's Philadelphia Flyers blog. Got goaltending? Searching since 1987.
by Travis Hughes on Apr 14, 2010 11:31 PM EDT up reply actions
That. Is. Awesome! I FRACKING LOVE SPORTS!
"Good night. Good hockey."
by KreiderDesigns on Apr 14, 2010 11:36 PM EDT up reply actions
Well Vs really isn’t a sports network anyway. I’m good with the snakes…till it becomes like the rats in FL
by JerseyDriver on Apr 14, 2010 11:30 PM EDT up reply actions
three stars IMO would be
1.booooooooooooooooosh
2.Matt Carle
3. Ian Laperriere
Special mention to Pronger who was his usual dominant self but I give the nod to Laps because of his shot blocking, his great work on that 4 minute PK and the great assist on the Richards goal
“*The BSH people talk trash about as well as the Flyers do in the postseason. Take it with a rolling of the eyes – JF.”
Whats this BS over at In Lou We Trust? Hahaha.
Doesn’t matter, we’re laughing now.
Broad Street Hockey - SBN's Philadelphia Flyers blog. Got goaltending? Searching since 1987.
by Travis Hughes on Apr 14, 2010 11:33 PM EDT up reply actions
I also read on there after the first goal
“Cue the trolling”, and that was by one of the main writers!
New Zealand's 4th best Philadelphia Flyers fan
Did anyone from here comment there tonight? I was occasionally stalking and reading some of the comments for a private laugh, but I don’t recall seeing any of our regulars over there, unless I missed something, which is possible because between keeping track of the 1500 comments here and watching the game, I did spend too much time looking at the comments over there.
Proudly supporting a Flyers team with "no honor".
Im going to have to save it as a link when we really need it
by Prometheus74 on Apr 14, 2010 11:35 PM EDT up reply actions
Great game!
Could you imagine if we’d played like this all season? OMG we would have been right up there with the Caps. Ah well, we’re on the right path now and that’s what’s important. Go Flyers!
Was at the game tonight
And I have to say that at times, it sounded like a fucking mausoleum. Aside from the usual chants (Rangers suck, flyers blow/lets go devils/etc), the devils fans made very little noise at all. If anything, i’d say that the flyers fans in attendance tonight (and there will PLENTY OF THEM) made more noise than their counterparts. Strange really.
Avalanche winning with a minute to go!
Could the results today get any better?
New Zealand's 4th best Philadelphia Flyers fan
You get a whole day of this good luck, for me the night is coming to an end
by Prometheus74 on Apr 15, 2010 1:01 AM EDT up reply actions
What a fantastic night so far!
Flyers win!!!
Pens Lose!
Wings Lose!
Sharks Lose!
Its a night to remember for the underdogs.
I have no ill-will toward San Jose whatsoever and on more than one occasion have playfully teased their post-season shortcomings, if you will, but when the Avs scored that goal, I just burst out laughing. It gave me the sense that every joke I made about them and every joke about them made here felt vindicated. They may rebound and bounce back to win the series, but, wow, never has a stereotype based on past experiences come to life as much as it did when the Avs scored that game-winning goal.
Oh, by the way, this is just day 1 of the playoffs!
Proudly supporting a Flyers team with "no honor".
I can’t believe John Fischer at ILWT actually wrote this.
The atmosphere was fantastic: The Rock featured a vast and loud majority of Devils supporters (about 80-20 favoring NJ at best, pay no attention to haters who say otherwise), with all kinds of chants and banter ongoing
Was he listening to the same “BOOOOOSH” chants we heard? Did he see the same pictures of The Rock we saw? Did he hear the same “MAAAARTY” jeering we heard? Did he see the same Devils fans get up and leave with 4 minutes left that we saw?
I don’t mean to completely tear apart Fischer here as he is a good writer and I am sure he is a real good guy, but I understand you want your team to look good and I understand what happened was potentially embarrassing to admit, but let’s not be delusional here. Maybe MSG+ found a way to drone out Flyers fans and that is distorting his views, but really, you can write around stuff like that. You don’t have to flat out lie about it. I’ll be willing to give the devil their due (pun only slightly intended) if and when Devils show up en mass to The Rock and drown out opposing fans and are active in supporting their team. The fact that the dominating chant of the night was “BOOOOOSH” suggests NJ fans did not accomplish that feat.
Proudly supporting a Flyers team with "no honor".
Seems like a place where it would have been better to say nothing at all, rather than contradict what was seen on the TV.
by DragonGirl0583 on Apr 15, 2010 8:14 AM EDT up reply actions
I tried posting a kinder version of that over there and boy oh boy did they ever jump me. Granted, it was 2:00 AM and I was tired so there were probably even better ways of wording it then I did, but that is something I will not do again. You make the slightest suggestions about their fanbase to them, even if it is to contradict what was by most accounts, an outlandish statement “vast and loud Devils fans”, “80-20”, etc. and they think you are an evil troll.
Seeing as I was hoping to fraternize throughout the series, I probably should have introduced myself in one of their preview threads and say hey, what’s up, do you mind if I discuss things here etc, but I am done over there. They hate the Flyers with a burning passion and trying to have a civil discussion with them, even if I am pointing out their ridiculous statements about the crowd, is unwelcome and is a mistake I will not make twice.
Proudly supporting a Flyers team with "no honor".
80-20, really?
Not even close, easily 35% and a very loud 35%.
Guys behind me were yelling echo the entire 3rd period. I think Riccola would have worked as well.
If you liked Base-ketball, then you’ll love the Devils Dancers. I was waiting for them to start spanking each other.
If you happen to be going to game 2 try Jimmy Buffs on the upper level. Italian Hot Dog (get the double). I went with a few Devils fans and it was their consensus “best part of the night”. Stupid Devils fans!!!
Go Flyers!!!
Actually, he didn’t hear the BOOOOOOSH chants. This is what he heard:
…the third period otherwise had a mood of disgust, with “Booooos” for every time Boucher would cover up a puck or somesuch.
What a weird case of denial.
Devils fans are now saying that is was them yelling Doooooosh, and thats why it was so loud
by Prometheus74 on Apr 16, 2010 12:03 AM EDT up reply actions
Ah. They must have been so frustrated with the stellar play of Boucher and so desperate that they were cheering for our back-up goalie to get in the net.
Proudly supporting a Flyers team with "no honor".
Wait, did we ever establish that Duchesne was in fact our back-up goalie? Or did Backlund return?
Proudly supporting a Flyers team with "no honor".
Backlund returned… I thought.
Man-crushin' on Boucher since 1999
Broad Street Hockey - Makin' it look mean since 1967.
by Geoff Detweiler on Apr 16, 2010 9:42 AM EDT up reply actions
Yes, he did.
Broad Street Hockey - SBN's Philadelphia Flyers blog. Got goaltending? Searching since 1987.
by Travis Hughes on Apr 16, 2010 12:18 PM EDT up reply actions
Thanks for the good game boys
I will have a little something extra in my step today thanks to the victory. Whistle while you work! LA LA LA La :)
Good start. Keep hairy Hartnell on the bench and we will win!
I am a little concerned with the 14 shots on net though….hmmmm
I wonder what Ranger fans were doing last night. HA!
Booosh what a difference. He was calm in great position and set when the shot was taken. He mad all the saves look easy and contained the few rebounds to only a few feet in front of him. A hugh contrast to where he was a week ago where he was never set and rebounds were bouncing out pass the defense. Richards are Pronger really came to play and Lavvy did a great job with the lines at the end of the game rotating pretty much the Betts and Richards lines for the last ten minutes to get the win. Now we are in their heads especially Kovalchuk if he continues to try and due too much all by himself this series might be much shorter than everyone thought.
What is the verdict did Boosh steal that game?
The fact we were only got 14 shots makes me believe he did.
Big names goalies who did not win last night?
Nabokov
Brodeur
Fleury
I vote for yes, Boosh did steal that game. If he hadn’t made a sweet glove save on Ilya in the first period, the game could have turned out very differently. Just my opinion, though.
by DragonGirl0583 on Apr 15, 2010 10:15 AM EDT up reply actions
I would second that. Boosh with the “look what I have in my glove, Ilya” in the first period, was the thing that this team has needed all season and that’s a huge save to keep them from having to dig out of a 1-0 hole. Boosh stole the game last night, but the Flyers team has definitely tightened up around him.
Managing Editor - HockeyOutsiders.com
by HockeyOutsiders on Apr 15, 2010 10:33 AM EDT up reply actions
I don’t think it was official a stolen game by Boucher. He did play the best last night that he’s played all year. Specifically his rebound control was miles ahead of where it had been in the month leading up to the playoffs. But at the same time, the team also played amazing.
For me, it’s a stolen game when I look back and can honestly say that they had no business winning the game. When I look back on the game last night, the Flyers had every right to win that game. Their forecheck was good, their penalty kill was good, despite the low number of shots they still had some pretty good chances.
Things could have been better for sure — better passing, more sustained offensive zone pressure — but the overall play of the team wasn’t low enough — in my mind — for it to be at stolen game level.
"Gentlemen, you can't fight in here, this is the war room."
by Grp_Cpt_Lionel_Mandrake on Apr 15, 2010 10:43 AM EDT up reply actions
when you get outshot 9-4 in the first period and were literally outworked for the last half of it and the game is still tied 0-0 and then you get outshot 9-2 in the third period while basically “nursing” a 2 goal lead, you have to say that Boucher stole the game.
They didn’t have any business winning the game. The Devils should have been up at least 1-0 after the first, but Boucher made a couple very good saves.
They shouldn’t have been ahead 2 goals after the second, but again Boucher and his luck/rebound control kept the devils off the board. Also when you have only 14 shots on net, regardless if you think they had great chances or not, they didn’t deserve to win.
Managing Editor - HockeyOutsiders.com
by HockeyOutsiders on Apr 15, 2010 11:01 AM EDT up reply actions
The Devils should have been up at least 1-0 after the first, but Boucher made a couple very good saves.
Can you name them? The glove save on Kovalchuk is obvious. Outside of that, I can’t think of anything that really stands out as an obvious “holy shit, that should have been a goal” moment.
I’m not trying to say Boucher wasn’t good. Far from it. He played his best game of the year at the most important time. But I think the win had just as much a result of the overall team defensive effort as it was a result of Boucher’s good goaltending.
"Gentlemen, you can't fight in here, this is the war room."
by Grp_Cpt_Lionel_Mandrake on Apr 15, 2010 11:50 AM EDT up reply actions
I agree. Seemed like most of the shots either hit Boosh in the chest or trickled through the crease and went wide. That’s the result of good positioning, though. He was lined up perfectly almost all night.
Broad Street Hockey - SBN's Philadelphia Flyers blog. Got goaltending? Searching since 1987.
by Travis Hughes on Apr 15, 2010 12:33 PM EDT up reply actions
Not to say the defense didn’t play well too, of course.
Broad Street Hockey - SBN's Philadelphia Flyers blog. Got goaltending? Searching since 1987.
by Travis Hughes on Apr 15, 2010 12:33 PM EDT up reply actions
Can you name them? The glove save on Kovalchuk is obvious. Outside of that, I can’t think of anything that really stands out as an obvious "holy shit, that should have been a goal" moment.
Yup, Travis Zajack 2 on 1 with Langenbrunner, comes down the left side and instead of passing shoots at the net, right about mid-circle. This was with 2 minutes left in the first. I’ve seen Boucher give up this goal about half a dozen times this season.
Elias with about a minute left in the first, takes a bouncing puck off of Carter’s stick skates into the slot and has a wide open shot at the net, which Boucher saved.
Two huge saves with the period winding down, probably both bigger than the Kolvachuk save.
Managing Editor - HockeyOutsiders.com
by HockeyOutsiders on Apr 15, 2010 3:52 PM EDT up reply actions
How many fans will JVR have in attendance? Shocked that the CSN crew didn’t mention this.
Hard to make mention of JVR with just 5:29 of ice time. To put that in perspective: The Devils’ Letourneau-Leblond had almost 30 second MORE ice time than JVR and he’s basically Riley Cote with a longer last name. I’m pretty sure JVR didn’t get a single shift in the 3rd period.
"Gentlemen, you can't fight in here, this is the war room."
by Grp_Cpt_Lionel_Mandrake on Apr 15, 2010 9:42 AM EDT reply actions
I’m not worried about it. One series at a time. If some guys need to ride the bench, then so be it.
Managing Editor - HockeyOutsiders.com
by HockeyOutsiders on Apr 15, 2010 10:33 AM EDT up reply actions
JVR didn’t get a shift in the 3rd period, Asham only had one (51 seconds), and Krajicek had two (for a total of 55 seconds).
Shockingly, Briere only played 2:18 in the third period. Yet Hartnell got 4:07.
Man-crushin' on Boucher since 1999
Broad Street Hockey - Makin' it look mean since 1967.
by Geoff Detweiler on Apr 15, 2010 5:23 PM EDT up reply actions
Were you going to do anything about head to head time on ice or anything like that Geoff? I didn’t wanna scoop you again haha.
Pronger played even minutes (7.6 exactly) against Kovalchuk and Parise. Is that Lemaire or Lavvy do you think?
New Zealand's 4th best Philadelphia Flyers fan
No, I wasn’t planning on doing anything on head-to-head. Mainly because I’m not sure what the analysis would be.
It’s pretty obvious Lavy tried to avoid putting Krajicek and Bartulis out against either Kovalchuk or Parise. But other than that, I’m not sure what else there is to see. If you can find anything interesting in there, go for it. Scoop away.
Man-crushin' on Boucher since 1999
Broad Street Hockey - Makin' it look mean since 1967.
by Geoff Detweiler on Apr 15, 2010 6:59 PM EDT up reply actions
Was Carle that good? Seemed like he got outskated a few times by the Devils high forecheckers, who were flying around the corners on whoever they wanted (even Kimmo—2 minutes for hooking). That’s not a great precedent.
In a way, this win was the best we could hope for, because we played a fairly awful game, very sloppy, and still got the win. It came at the hands of the one person we were least sure about going into the series, and wow, did he look confident doing it. After the first three minutes, he was squared up to every shot and rarely scrambled. Impressive.
And Hartnell sucked fairly large.
Carle may have been out worked in the corners at times, but he played his best game in front of the net in a long time. So I will take that any game of the year.
And does it surprise anyone that Hartnell sucked fairly large he has been doing it all year.
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