Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Posted: 3:13 p.m.By Tim PanaccioCSNPhilly.com
Sergei Bobrovsky wouldnt talk after the Flyers 5-4 shootout loss to Washington on Tuesday.
Thats very unlike him. Usually, he is very good at dismissing games and moving on.
Bobrovsky, who seems to understand English now, wouldnt talk on Wednesday, either. He said he would speak English next season, even though he seemed to understand three questions and answered perfectly when questions were asked about non-hockey subjects.
Maybe the 22-year-old is feeling some pressure right now.
Brian Boucher said he knows how upset Bob was at his performance in goal against the Caps. He said Bob needs some time to cool off.
The coach, Peter Laviolette, wont comment on whether its important to get the kid back in net soon to erase the bad memories of the Caps coming on the heels of such a great performance at Dallas.
NHL
Boucher, the veteran, says its not good for a rookie to stew too long in the mire of that kind of defeat.
I dont know he necessarily has to play tomorrow, but it certainly helps to get back in sooner rather than later, Boucher said. You dont want to stew for 10 games and then get back in there.
So who does Laviolette start Thursday night against the Pittsburgh Penguins?
The guess here is that it will be Boucher, as the Flyers have a five-point cushion on the Pens and could pretty much finish them off here with a win.
I know where Im going with my decision, Laviolette said. Everybody has had bad games. From the forwards to the defensemen to the coaches. Entire teams.
We all had a tough game in New York recently. It was a game that didnt go his way, but hes had a strong year for us. And hes a big reason why we sit where we sit. Hell get back in there at some point and Im sure hell look forward to that.
General manager Paul Holmgren didnt seem alarmed about Bobs inconsistency. Since the All-Star break, he is 5-5-2. He is 10-9-3 this season against playoff teams.
Sergei has been a good goaltender for us this year, Holmgren said. We think he has a chance to be a real good player for the Flyers over the next number of years. With any young player there are times when they struggle with their game.
I dont think he is any different than any other young guy who has come along here in the last little while. Hell continue to work. One thing about him: He shows up to work. He has good attitude about the game. I dont have any concerns that hell be better the next game he plays.
Boucher said he didnt talk to Bob after the game, but did talk to him on the ice on Wednesday and that the rookie seemed upbeat. Boucher also cautioned everyone from overreacting to the Caps game.
I get the sense theres a lot of concern among people, but the guys got 26 wins this year, were in first place in the conference and I think we need to pull back and put things in perspective here, Boucher said.
As a tandem, weve done a lot of good things this year and hes done a lot of good things as a rookie. He just needs to keep reminding himself of that
Last night was a real encouraging sign. That was the most complete game weve played a long, long time. Sometimes youre on and sometimes youre off and for him, hes played great hockey this year. That should be reminded to him.
What would allow the fans and organization to breathe easier is if the goaltending could present some real consistency over the final 10 games, particularly with Bobrovsky, who in his last 11 appearances (10 starts), his goals against average has risen from 2.42 to 2.61 while his save percentage has dropped from .920 to .914.
If you look at it in a two-game segment, one is good and one is bad, Boucher said. If you look at the whole body of work, hes done good things this year.Yeah, the last two games, one was good and one was bad, but that happens.
Its a long season, theres ups and theres downs and 10 games is a long time. If he played 10 games and went on a 10-game tear, it all would be forgotten. It starts with today.
Carters nagging injury
According to a source, Jeff Carter has a nagging minor injury suffered awhile ago, and did not practice Wednesday because he needed a day off because of it.
Carter appeared to have been getting treatment in the trainers room at Skate Zone after his teammates practiced, but declined to comment on his condition.
During the broadcast of Tuesdays game against the Capitals, Versus reported the Flyers forward jammed his hand into the boards. But Holmgren said Carter was simply given a maintenance day.
Hell play tomorrow, Holmgren said.
Nikolay Zherdev took Carters shifts during practice.
Loose pucks
Holmgren said he was not calling up another defenseman unless needed. Danny Syvret was sent back but came up because Kimmo Timonen reportedly had a stiff neck prior to the Caps game.Chris Pronger was taking shots at practice. I was surprised at seeing him shootHolmgren said. Thats encouraging.Jody Shelleys surgery on Thursday is more extensive than thought and the timetable is now 4-6 weeks for his return. A fairly substantial surgery they have to do on him, Holmgren said...The Flyers signed forward Matt Read, to a contract starting next fall. He just finished his senior year at Bemidji State University (Minnesota).
E-mail Tim Panaccio at tpanotch@comcast.net
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