James van Riemsdyk steps up, scores two in 5-4 Flyers win over Chicago

by Travis Hughes on Jan 6, 2012 12:22 AM EST in Philadelphia Flyers Game Recaps - 11-12

[Shift Charts] - [Head-to-Head TOI] - [Corsi and Fenwick] - [5-on-5 Faceoffs]

It might have been the most entertaining hockey game of the year. It wasn't the prettiest, that's for sure, but it sure was damn entertaining. Sort of like Monday's Winter Classic, actually, except this one was a win, and that means we get to smile and stuff.

It was an up-and-down battle between the Flyers and Chicago Blackhawks tonight, and it featured the triumphant return to relevance for one Mr. James van Riemsdyk. The evening was sort of reminiscent of the 2011 playoff run for Reemer, in which he was all over the ice and the puck in dominant fashion, and he wound up with two goals for his efforts.

Both of his goals were actually created by his teammates, and both were relatively easy finishes in front of open nets. The first came off a juicy rebound from Chicago's Ray Emery, while the second, in the final minute of a tie game, was off a beauty of a pass from Scott Hartnell. But those are the kinds of pucks one finds when they are at the top of their game, and for at least one night, Reemer was definitely on top of his game. Let's hope he keeps that up.

The defense, on the other hand, wasn't really on top of their game. Ilya Bryzgalov wasn't necessarily horrible, although he wasn't great, but defensive breakdowns allowed the Blackhawks to climb their way back into the hockey game late in the third period. JvR's last minute goal was awesome and all, but it really shouldn't have been necessary.

Still, it was a relief to watch the team lose another lead, just like they did on Monday, and then answer by winning the hockey game. The inability to hold the lead in the third is still a pretty loud concern, but tonight we'll take the outcome. After all, it was damn entertaining in the end.

One other note: Kimmo Timonen left the game with a hand/wrist injury. According to those at the WFC tonight, he didn't speak to the media and we'll know more on his status on Friday when Paul Holmgren speaks at practice.

Questions with Answers

Patrick Kane can't score. Tonight isn't the night he gets back on track, is it? He scored a game-tying goal, but then he took a penalty and the Flyers scored the GWG on the power play. If he got back on track, he quickly derailed himself again.
How's Matt Read look on the top line? Thought Read looked good. Overshadowed by JvR's big night, but Read had a goal and was used quite a bit on the power play, too.
Ilya Bryzgalov back in goal. How's that go? Bryz was fine, except for maybe that one Chicago goal.
Ray Emery in net for Chicago. Does he look good? Thought Emery was solid. Most of the goals he allowed weren't really his fault -- basically just the Flyers outnumbering the Blackhawks around the crease and getting to loose pucks. Not much a goalie can do about those.

Comment of the Night

Triple word score.

>> conelli, on Harry Zolnierczyk's goal

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Comments

It was indeed a great game, I’m glad I got to go.

by Flyers#13 on Jan 6, 2012 12:23 AM EST reply actions

The inability to hold the lead in the third is still a pretty loud concern

this..idc what our record is leading after 2 but its eventually gonna bite us hard…that and going down 1 really early will as well

Beets,Bears,Battlestar Galactica.
MICHAEL!

Political Correctness - the belief that one can pick up a turd by the clean end.

by reaper1221 on Jan 6, 2012 12:29 AM EST reply actions

I don’t really think its a problem. If I’m correct its something like 19-1-1 leading after two. Obviously they need to correct what went wrong in the 3rd tonight but it doesn’t seem like something that’ll be a long term prob

by Clutterbuck4MVP on Jan 6, 2012 12:35 AM EST up reply actions

Well here are what I can find in terms of the numbers:

We have been leading after 2 periods 21 times. No other team in the league has led after two periods as often as us. Boston has done it 20 times, Vancouver has done it 19 times. Of those 21, our record is 19-1-1. Our win% after leading after 2 periods is 10th in the league. It’s probably worth noting that opponents win% against us after they have been in the lead after 2 periods is 0.846. (on a side note the Rangers are 3-6-1 after trailing at the end of the second).

In terms of trailing first. There are some stats here: http://www.nhl.com/ice/teamstats.htm?fetchKey=20122ALLSAAALL&sort=winsOppScoreFirst&viewName=scoreTrailFirst

We have given up the first goal of a game 16 times. Only Tampa and Vancouver have given up the first goal of the game fewer times. Boston, for example, have trailed first 20 times this season. Our win % when trailing first is 0.563, good for 5th in the league. Going down 1 really early hasn’t been a big issue for us and hasn’t costed us as much as it does to other teams.

Simon Gagne AND Mike Richards may move between towns, wear new jerseys and call different arenas home but, at the end of the day, they will both always be Philadelphia Flyers.

One day Sean Couturier will win the Conn Smythe. You heard it here first.

by PursuitOfLappyness on Jan 6, 2012 12:40 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs

Eh, this kinda thing changes through the year. Early on it was the second period that we struggled in, then it was the first for a while, now it’s the third. We’ll get by, I think.

by everybodyhitswoohoo on Jan 6, 2012 12:46 AM EST up reply actions

what im saying is it hasnt cost us yet but it will start to eventually and im fine for giving up the first goal its giving up the first goal in the 1st two minutes or so

Beets,Bears,Battlestar Galactica.
MICHAEL!

Political Correctness - the belief that one can pick up a turd by the clean end.

by reaper1221 on Jan 6, 2012 10:40 AM EST up reply actions

Nice URL.

by everybodyhitswoohoo on Jan 6, 2012 12:29 AM EST reply actions 4 recs

Atleast Bryz has stepped up his goalie pad game…

by chicagoflyer74 on Jan 6, 2012 12:35 AM EST reply actions

Wait a sec

How’s Matt Read look on the top line? Thought Read looked good. Overshadowed by JvR’s big night, but Read had a goal and was used quite a bit on the power play, too.

I don’t think he did…

by everybodyhitswoohoo on Jan 6, 2012 12:36 AM EST reply actions

Hartsy, Scrabble, and Young James (x2) by my count.

by HankM on Jan 6, 2012 12:39 AM EST up reply actions

And Jachobe.

by everybodyhitswoohoo on Jan 6, 2012 12:43 AM EST up reply actions

I guess Travis was watching the latest 24/7 when he wrote that and saw Read’s goal against PIT.

The Flyers are 2011 Atlantic Division Champs, the Phillies just keep winning pennant after pennant. Great time to be a fan of those two teams on Broad Street.

by Iconious13 on Jan 6, 2012 12:42 AM EST up reply actions

Real good game to get that dogshit taste out of my mouth from the WC. I poured out a Drano on the rocks when kane tied it up

by Clutterbuck4MVP on Jan 6, 2012 12:39 AM EST reply actions 1 recs

Rabbit came to play!

Follow @loki_kitesurf

bread. butter. cheese. VICTORY!

by Prometheus74 on Jan 6, 2012 12:41 AM EST reply actions 1 recs

And if I’m not mistaken, first game all season where the Flyers didn’t take a minor penalty. Obviously the refs let them play through a lot, but still good to see

by Clutterbuck4MVP on Jan 6, 2012 12:44 AM EST reply actions

Now Bill Clinton’s doing the Jagr salute: http://video.nhl.com/videocenter/console?catid=35&id=147480

Simon Gagne AND Mike Richards may move between towns, wear new jerseys and call different arenas home but, at the end of the day, they will both always be Philadelphia Flyers.

One day Sean Couturier will win the Conn Smythe. You heard it here first.

by PursuitOfLappyness on Jan 6, 2012 12:53 AM EST reply actions

looks like everyone’s got moves like jagr

A Flyers fan in Pittsburgh and doing my part to make them uncomfortable.

by Daniel Ramirez on Jan 6, 2012 1:02 AM EST via Android app up reply actions 1 recs

hahaha, well played

Lightning strikes once, Hextall strikes twice!
"I think there is virtue in pissing off idiots." - Fehr and Balanced

by hintzy64 on Jan 6, 2012 9:25 AM EST up reply actions

The Flyers put 46 freaking shots on goal tonight.

That is…a lot.

@BSH_EricT
Writer at Broad Street Hockey

by Eric T. on Jan 6, 2012 1:08 AM EST reply actions

Yea I was impressed with Couturier tonight and all season. I think he could develop into a great two-way center.

"When the Flyers win a playoff series, as they did this past year, is when you yell at me for being wrong? Because I said the Flyers won’t win a round'?
Geoff Detweiler.

by Mattx on Jan 6, 2012 1:10 AM EST up reply actions

46 shots is still not close to the 57 the Swedes put on Russia tonight in the gold medal round of the WJ

"When the Flyers win a playoff series, as they did this past year, is when you yell at me for being wrong? Because I said the Flyers won’t win a round'?
Geoff Detweiler.

by Mattx on Jan 6, 2012 1:12 AM EST reply actions

46 shots in 60 minutes isn’t all that different from 57 shots in 70 minutes.

@BSH_EricT
Writer at Broad Street Hockey

by Eric T. on Jan 6, 2012 1:26 AM EST up reply actions

Actually it’s kinda the same.

by j reed on Jan 6, 2012 1:36 AM EST up reply actions

right any links to see 24/7? I was in a large auditorium with a bunch of theatre kids. i need something to get me over my last two hours.

It's a new season, and I'm damned excited! ecnewman on flyersfaithful.com

by f2yers8 on Jan 6, 2012 1:17 AM EST reply actions

http://www.watchseries-online.eu/2012/01/247-flyersrangers-road-to-the-nhl-winter-classic-part-4.html

One of those should work…

by everybodyhitswoohoo on Jan 6, 2012 1:23 AM EST up reply actions

Couturier and Schenn were both +8 Corsi for the night. Interestingly, Talbot was -11, Briere was -11 and Voracek was -9

Simon Gagne AND Mike Richards may move between towns, wear new jerseys and call different arenas home but, at the end of the day, they will both always be Philadelphia Flyers.

One day Sean Couturier will win the Conn Smythe. You heard it here first.

by PursuitOfLappyness on Jan 6, 2012 1:33 AM EST reply actions

Yeah, it seemed like Jake was just dominating out there, ended with six shots, and then I saw that and was confused. Guess that line left a bit to be desired defensively.

by everybodyhitswoohoo on Jan 6, 2012 1:36 AM EST up reply actions

If you look around the 6:00 mark and then the 9:00 mark of the second period of the PBP log, you can see that line got pinned in our end for a couple of long shifts. So I’m sure that didn’t help.

http://www.nhl.com/scores/htmlreports/20112012/PL020587.HTM

by everybodyhitswoohoo on Jan 6, 2012 1:42 AM EST up reply actions

How about Mez being -13 and FMAB:BAMF being +13?

Tracking the Flyers scoring chances at Broad Street Hockey

by ToddtheFox on Jan 6, 2012 2:03 AM EST up reply actions

Mez is bringing Lilja down!

Man-crushin' on Boucher since 1999 and Matt Calvert since May 2010
Broad Street Hockey - Makin' it look mean since 1967.
SB Nation Philly - Associate Editor

by Geoff Detweiler on Jan 6, 2012 7:46 AM EST via iPhone app up reply actions

Wasnt there that one shift where talbot lost his stick and the Hawks fired a tons of pucks on net?

by Anders Jensen on Jan 6, 2012 2:12 AM EST up reply actions

nice to see a strong effort after the deflating WC loss. the nailbiting not so much.

by j reed on Jan 6, 2012 1:39 AM EST reply actions

I agree that Bryz wasn’t terrible tonight, but he wasn’t there when the Flyers needed him to be. That’s my biggest issue with him recently. The media talks about his lack of confidence, and that he needs to work on that. All the while he has 10,000,000 reasons to be confident this season.

by hartmanzord on Jan 6, 2012 1:46 AM EST reply actions

Bummed out that I missed the game. Sounds like a thriller.

by AlaskaFlyersFan on Jan 6, 2012 1:49 AM EST reply actions

Same here.

Lightning strikes once, Hextall strikes twice!
"I think there is virtue in pissing off idiots." - Fehr and Balanced

by hintzy64 on Jan 6, 2012 9:27 AM EST up reply actions

It might have been the most entertaining hockey game of the year.

2nd game in I guess you could say that’s fair.

by Jazzy85 on Jan 6, 2012 2:49 AM EST reply actions 2 recs

I think the biggest takeaway from this game is the fact that Laviolette might have found another good line with that Simmonds-Schenn-JvR line. If they can develop and become a force it would be a dream come true as a fan to see both JvR and Schenn settle in and start to produce offensively.

Plus, JvR mad Schenner on the same line for the next decade? That is pure win!

"Jagr doesn’t have moves. He has grizzled old man power. He bends reality to his will with a scowl alone." - BannedStreetBully
Opposing Ilya Bryzgalov as Philadelphia Flyers' goalie since June 23, 2011.
@Mitchman88 on Twitter

by Mitchell Green on Jan 6, 2012 7:07 AM EST reply actions

It was nice to see that line dominate.

by Anders Jensen on Jan 6, 2012 8:51 AM EST up reply actions

My gf and I went to teh game. As we were walking out about a half hour after the game, I noted the lack to sixers signs next to the flyers, phillies and eagles sign on the comcast section with a hey look. The man who had been walking out of the building hesitated for a second. Only after I got in the car did I realize it was Coatsey and he thought we were talking about him.

by ColeStevens on Jan 6, 2012 7:44 AM EST reply actions

Can we talk about how that kid on the far right of the photo looks like a younger JVR?

And also how the dude in the WC jersey (2nd from right) kinda looks like Shane from The Walking Dead?

by Phalange on Jan 6, 2012 7:46 AM EST reply actions

That is spot on for both of them.

by hebrew hammer on Jan 6, 2012 8:48 AM EST up reply actions

So the other day John Boruk(and take it with a grain of salt) that the Flyers coaches were a bit pissed that Bryz let the cat out of the bag with regards to who the starting goalie is for the WC and he wondered if Bryz’s teammates were equally annoyed by a guy going against the administration so to speak. He didn’t say they were, he was wondering out loud.

And then last night Lisa Hillary said that Bryz did not speak to the media despite getting the win in the game.

Makes me wonder if Bryz is not going into media silence mode because he said something he should have and either blames the media or knows he can’t control the things he says, which is equally more amazing.

Ed Snider is a crotchety old fuck.

That is all.

by EREX21 on Jan 6, 2012 8:38 AM EST reply actions

That’s why athlete’s have scripted shit to say like “at the end of the day…”. They are typically not the sharpest knives in the drawer which is why I prefer them to either keep there mouths closed or just follow the script.- unless it’s Christopher Pronger of course.

by j reed on Jan 6, 2012 3:12 PM EST up reply actions