Richards to play; Miller dubs hit ‘mass murder'

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Monday, April 25, 2011
Posted: 1:10 p.m.Updated: 4:16 p.m.

By Sarah Baicker and Tim Panaccio
CSNPhilly.com

If, as Mike Richards suggested after Game 4 in Buffalo, the Sabres were getting away with murder for going unpunished for some of their actions out on the ice, well, the Flyers captain may have just gotten away with mass murder.

Richards, who received a minor for boarding Sabres center Tim Connolly in the second period of Sundays overtime win, will not face disciplinary action for the hit, which sent Connolly to the ice along the boards behind Brian Boucher.

Connolly lay motionless for a few moments, before getting up on his own. He will miss Game 7 with what is believed to be either a concussion or shoulder injury and, according to his coach Lindy Ruff, he is not doing very good.

Upping the ante, Sabres goalie Ryan Miller called the act committed by Richards mass murder after the game.

The guy who is complaining the most about us getting away with murder has delivered two of the dirtiest hits in the series, Miller said. A blatant elbow to the face, which is something the league said they would try to take away, and driving Tim Connolly headfirst into the boards. It wasnt just a hit, it was a push. It was blatant.

I dont know where to go with this one. At the same time, its a tough game, its rough. Richards wants to win. Its not lost on me that he is a hard competitor. I think that was reckless. ... Its more annoying than anything to hear that come out of a good players mouth.

As for Richards, the news means he can fully focus on the big task ahead: keeping his teams playoff hopes alive.

Obviously Im excited to play, Richards said. Theres no doubt about that, theres no question. Im not worried about that, Im worried about helping the team out and getting one by the goaltender tomorrow.

Whos No. 2?
CoachPeter Laviolette shocked media and fans alike on Sunday, when heelected to make public his decision to start Brian Boucher in net forGame 7such announcements, for Laviolette, usually dont occur untilgameday.

So, on Monday, was he ready to provide his choice for Bouchers backup?

No, Laviolette said.

Thereare clues, though. Sergei Bobrovsky skated with the Black Aces Mondaymorning, but Michael Leighton was nowhere to be seen.

Dannys speech
Much was made of Danny Brieres outburst between the second and third periods of Game 6.

But asked about his comments on Monday, Briere downplayed their significancecalling it simply an emotional moment.

I dont think it was much, Briere said. It was just a heated moment, the emotion. It wasnt meant to be talked about today. It was just about the heated moment and trying to get it done.

It may not have been a big deal to the seemingly always composed Briere, but it meant something to his teammates.

Dannys not really a guy thats going to speak out a lot when theres a big group, Claude Giroux said. When he does, I think guys get surprised, theres a little shock, and you just kind of listen up and he kind of got the guys going, and he got me going.

Hes a guy that, obviously, when he speaks up, everybody listens and he kind of captivates everyones attention, James van Riemsdyk said. He fired up everyone pretty much, and we ended up going out there and playing a pretty strong period. When he talks, you definitely listen and respect what he says, and it gets you fired up.

He said what?
Flyers fans certainly have no trouble finding reasons to dislike Sabres winger Patrick Kaletabut heres another one to add to the list.

On the ice during Game 6, Kaleta reportedly trash-talked Briere and Scott Hartnell, and made offensive comments regarding their personal livespossibly even their divorces. Both players went through divorce last year.

I think it was a moment where he definitely crossed a line, Briere said. But at the same time, it played into our favor. We tried to turn that to our favor, which we did, both me and Scotty. Theres no anger, and theres nothing that I want to do or have him pay anymore consequences, I think it was done yesterday, and thats all it is. Im just going to use that to my advantage to get me fired up even more.

No place like home
To say the Flyers have struggled in recent weeks on their home ice would be an understatement; two of their three losses in this series, after all, have occurred at the Wells Fargo Center.

If youre asking would I rather be playing in Buffalo, of if Id rather be back with all our great fans in Philadelphia, I'm going back to Philadelphia," Laviolette said.

I think it is going to be important, especially at home in Game 7, to get the fans in the game, Claude Giroux said. The first few shifts are going to be important. We need that first goal, I think.

E-mail Sarah Baicker at sbaicker@comcastsportsnet.comE-mail Tim Panaccio at tpanotch@comcast.net

Related: Flyers have full confidence in Boucher for Game 7Buy Flyers gear

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