Surprised Bryzgalov ripped by former teammates

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Ilya Bryzgalov said a lot of nice things about his former club, the Phoenix Coyotes, on Wednesday afternoon.

Showered the entire organization with praise. Talked about how he made some lifetime friends in the desert.

On Thursday morning, ex-teammates Derek Morris and Adrian Aucoin went on Phoenix radio and ripped the Bryz.

I always thought good about these guys, said an obviously stunned Bryzgalov. They are good defensemen and good guys. I dont hear anything.

Every person in their life has an opinion about everyone and we cant pay attention to it. If he thinks like that I cant change his mind.

No, I didnt hear what they said first of all. Second of all, I dont know how to say this, you cant be nice to the whole world; some people hate you, some people like you, some people love, some people it's just normal. Its just life. I hope they continue to play well.

Among the cheap shotsMorris said, First of all, we have to throw a lot of pucks at Bryz. He's known for letting in bad goals, you know, so I think our mindset is going to be get the puck down behind the net and hopefully he comes out and plays a few because he doesn't like to do that.

Morris also said Bryzgalov wasnt liked in the dressing room.

We're actually glad, first of all, I'm glad he's gone because the guy we brought in has done a great job and fitted in real well, made our team even closer, he said.

There was some animosity there with Bryz sometimes. We don't have that with Mike Smith. We have a good group and we're winning games because of it.

Aucoin backed up Morris assertion that there was animosity in the dressing room and added, I think he was different as a playerobviously he was a great playermore as a person. Sometimes he just did things that weren't very typical of hockey players or teammates, but he's a good goalie.

Asked if Bryz was misunderstood, Aucoin replied, No, he's a pretty smart guy. He knew what he was saying.

Said Bryzgalov, Were human beings. We make mistakes. Its our nature. Its how you bounce back and play the game again ... Who doesnt give up bad goals? Who doesnt make mistakes?

E-mail Tim Panaccio at tpanotch@comcast.net

Morris and Aucoin transcript courtesy of Broad Street Hockey.

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