Mandaou
Registered User
In front of a capacity crowd of 19,511, the Flyers took game 1 at home tonight. The tone was set early with a thunderous 1st shift hit by Mike Fisher. The hit established early momentum for the Flyers as they outplayed Buffalo in a scoreless first.
The second period saw both teams regroup after a hard hitting 1st. Most of the play was in the neutral zone, which resulted in few good opportunites for either team as the game remained scoreless.
Todd Bertuzzi finally solved the Sabre netminder scoring his 6th of the playoffs early in third. Bertuzzi lastest gem came off a Scott Gomez feed that showcasing Bertuzzi’s speed and strength. Streaking down the wing he fended off a defender with on hand, cut across the net and disposed of the puck behind Thibeault. “We were a little uptight early in the game,†he said “We knew it was important game and that probably let us to hold the sticks a little tight early on. I’m glad we were able to score the first one’
Buffalo didn’t wait long to respond however, as Rick Nash whom many feel will eventually replace Bertuzzi as the league’s most dominant power forward displayed his slapshot as he put one past Belfour from the top of the circle.
The rest of the third showcased the best hockey has to offer. Speed, hard open ice hits, great goaltending and a high level of skill were all in display. Both teams had tremendous chances to win the game in regulation but could not solve the goalies. Alex Frolov thought he had scored the winner with over 1 minutes left when he was left alone at the side of the net after a scramble in front of the goal. The puck ended up in Frolov’s stick who took a quick snap shot, but a desperate dive by Belfour fouled Frolov’s attempt and kept the score tied.
Frolov was kept in check most of the night by pesky centre Mike Fisher, whom the Flyers sent out as many times as possible against Frolov’s line. Fisher shadowed Frolov all night and except for the scramble with 2 minutes left, Frolov was not a factor in the game.
The Flyers kept with the same line combinations in overtime and their “30 Plus†line of Arnott, Mellamby and Whitney came through after only 2:11 had elapsed in OT. “Obviously every win is important in the playoffs but we really wanted this one. All the talk in the papers and the sports shows was how hot the Sabres were. We just wanted to establish some respect in the 1st game and we hope we did that,†said Ray Whitney.
Both clubs won’t have much time to think about this game, as they’re in action again tomorrow. “Our goal was to come out of Philly with 1 win and although we’re disappointed that win didn’t come tonight we’re confident a diffeent outcome will result tomorrow night,†said Rico Fata.
The second period saw both teams regroup after a hard hitting 1st. Most of the play was in the neutral zone, which resulted in few good opportunites for either team as the game remained scoreless.
Todd Bertuzzi finally solved the Sabre netminder scoring his 6th of the playoffs early in third. Bertuzzi lastest gem came off a Scott Gomez feed that showcasing Bertuzzi’s speed and strength. Streaking down the wing he fended off a defender with on hand, cut across the net and disposed of the puck behind Thibeault. “We were a little uptight early in the game,†he said “We knew it was important game and that probably let us to hold the sticks a little tight early on. I’m glad we were able to score the first one’
Buffalo didn’t wait long to respond however, as Rick Nash whom many feel will eventually replace Bertuzzi as the league’s most dominant power forward displayed his slapshot as he put one past Belfour from the top of the circle.
The rest of the third showcased the best hockey has to offer. Speed, hard open ice hits, great goaltending and a high level of skill were all in display. Both teams had tremendous chances to win the game in regulation but could not solve the goalies. Alex Frolov thought he had scored the winner with over 1 minutes left when he was left alone at the side of the net after a scramble in front of the goal. The puck ended up in Frolov’s stick who took a quick snap shot, but a desperate dive by Belfour fouled Frolov’s attempt and kept the score tied.
Frolov was kept in check most of the night by pesky centre Mike Fisher, whom the Flyers sent out as many times as possible against Frolov’s line. Fisher shadowed Frolov all night and except for the scramble with 2 minutes left, Frolov was not a factor in the game.
The Flyers kept with the same line combinations in overtime and their “30 Plus†line of Arnott, Mellamby and Whitney came through after only 2:11 had elapsed in OT. “Obviously every win is important in the playoffs but we really wanted this one. All the talk in the papers and the sports shows was how hot the Sabres were. We just wanted to establish some respect in the 1st game and we hope we did that,†said Ray Whitney.
Both clubs won’t have much time to think about this game, as they’re in action again tomorrow. “Our goal was to come out of Philly with 1 win and although we’re disappointed that win didn’t come tonight we’re confident a diffeent outcome will result tomorrow night,†said Rico Fata.
