Ilya Bryzgalovs pre-Winter Classic press conference, in which he announced he wasnt going to start and then proceeded to have four different scrums with the media, didnt go over well with Flyers brass.
Naturally, for the second time this season, the Bryzard of Oz was told to shut his mouth and keep his conversations simple -- not planetary complex.
Fridays meeting with the media began on a rough note with Bryz saying it was his constitutional right not to talk.
Naturally, Bryz caved and chatted, but he is clearly on-guard after what happened Sunday before the Winter Classic.
I choose to be quiet today, he said. You dont like it, go to the Supreme Court, guys.
He didnt talk after Thursdays 5-4 win over Chicago because he was sick.
Its a team policy, not to disclose any injuries or sickness, he said with a smirk on his face.
NHL
His career-low numbers continue to be alarming: 3.05 goals against average and .890 save percentage. Thats another reason the team would like him to pipe down.
Among all NHL goalies, Bryzgalovs GAA is ranked 56th and his save percentage is 64th. Those kind of numbers wont win in postseason.
Asked whether he sees his last five games or so as bad luck or simply poor play, Bryzgalov replied, Partially one, partially another one. Last night, I was happy with my game. Lots of positive signs. I was very happy.
And if you think Bryzgalov is smarting over comments from his teammates that he should take the snub of not playing in the Winter Classic as a wakeup call to get his act together, well, youll have to use your imagination.
Ah, lets not come back to the past and lets look into the future, he said. We had a great game last night. The team played unbelievableIt was a great game for the fans and very entertaining.
Look for Bryzgalov to start Saturdays game here against Ottawa and Sergei Bobrovsky to play in the Sunday matinee at Ottawa.
Bobrovsky was the winning goalie when the Flyers routed Ottawa, 7-2 on Oct. 18 in Canada.
Jagr update
Though he didnt skate with his usual line, Jaromir Jagr (groin pull) joined the Flyers for the full practice on Friday. He hopes to play Sunday in Ottawa. He wont play Saturday.
I dont think Ill play tomorrow, I have one more day of practice, Jagr said, adding he is shooting for Sunday.
I dont feel pain. Its tough to guarantee something. I can tell the coach Im okay, but something bad can happen in the first period. I dont want something bad to happen to our team.
The one extra practice, especially, with back-to-back games, can help me a little bit. Hopefully, Sunday.
E-mail Tim Panaccio at tpanotch@comcast.net