Sunday, April 24, 2011
Posted: 8:46 p.m.
By Tim Panaccio and Bob Matuszak
CSNPhilly.com
BUFFALO, N.Y.With his right hand heavily wrapped in ice, Chris Pronger stood in the Flyers winning locker room and admitted he was hurting a bit.
My backs a little sore from sitting on the bench, joked the big defenseman, who made plenty of pregame news when he took the ice to skate during the warmups before Game 6, and then 20 minutes later when he was officially was listed to play on the Flyers roster report.
But his contribution on the ice ended up being minimal, as he played only on the power play, a situation that resulted in him earning a mere 4:33 of ice time.
If I didnt think I could help, I wouldnt have played, he said. Theres not much really to say about it.
With Pronger in the fold, the Flyers dressed seven defensemen.
Chris is a presence in the room and a presence to our team, but I do not want to sell short the effort of the players that went out there and played on a regular shift, coach Peter Laviolette said. But to have him back in the lineup is a boost, and on the power play is a boost. He was out there and made plays that only Chris Pronger can make. It was good to get him back in that sense, but that only takes you so far.
NHL
Pronger did his best to try and spark what has been a lethargic Flyers power play this series, as the unit entered Game 6 having converted just two of 26 man advantage opportunities. He was on the point during the first of Philadelphias five power plays, then shifted to the front of the net on the second opportunity.
Thats when he was whistled for a slashing penalty as he was trying to create some space in front of Buffalo goalie Ryan Miller.
Overall, Pronger finished with one shot on goal, but didnt give any indication on whether or not he was hoping to get more ice time in Game 7.
I guess well see, he said.
Threes a crowd
According to Elias, the Flyers have never used three different goaltenders to start a game in one playoff series like they did here with Sergei Bobrovsky (Games 1, 2), Brian Boucher (Games 3, 4, 5) and Michael Leighton (Game 6).
The last time something like this happened was in the 2004 playoffs by the Vancouver Canucks in the Western Conference Quarterfinals vs. Calgary Flames (Dan Cloutier, Games 1, 2, 3) (Johan Hedberg, Game 4) (Alex Auld, Games 5, 6 & 7).
Come harder
That is what Miller says the Sabres have to do in Game 7. "I dont like to use the word momentum. Im sorry, I know you guys do. Its a physics term. Its science. It does exist in sports. Its confidence. Confidence is the right word. We have to push back."
Suspension
Sabres coach Lindy Ruff wants Mike Richards suspended to knocking Tim Connolly out of the game and the series with his boarding call in the second period. Richards drew a minor penalty. Connolly, who has a history of concussions, may have suffered a concussion andor shoulder injury.
"Tims not doing very good," Ruff said. "I think thatsIve watched itits something the league definitely has to take a look at. Thats a lack of respect for another player on the ice. Its from behind. Its head-first. Thats a tough play. We lost a good player."
Loose pucks
Sabres coach Lindy Ruff celebrated a milestone. Game 6 was his 100th NHL playoff game as a head coach.This was the Flyers third overtime win in a game in which they were facing elimination in the last four postseasons. Other two: 2008 ECQF Game 7, 3-2 at WSH; 2010 ECSF Game 5, 5-4 vs. BOS. They are now 29-34 all-time when facing elimination.Flyers had 49 shots on goal and hit the 80-shot attempt mark for the second consecutive game.Those 49 shots on goal are the most for the Flyers in a playoff game since April 16, 2003, when the Flyers took a franchise-record 75 shots in a 3-2 triple overtime win over the Toronto Maple Leafs in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals.James van Riemsdyk had 10 shotsmost for a Flyer in a playoff game since Dan McGillis had 11 on April 29, 2000, in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals vs. Pittsburgh. JVR was leading the league in shots during this playoffs, coming into the game with 28.Andrej Meszaros played 31:03 and had five blocked shots.Flyers are 8-6 all-time in Game 7 of a series, Sabres are 1-5.Club chairman Ed Snider wore his lucky orange socks for the game. ... Tickets for Game 7 are now on sale. Call 215-218-PUCK or visit philadelphiaflyers.com.
E-mail Tim Panaccio at tpanotch@comcast.net
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