Flyers Slow Down Devils 3-0

Zach Parise tries to screen Ilya Bryzgalov

Big game for Bryz...unfortunately. The Devils could not get anything past the goaltender from Russia. His return to the lineup last night, Tuesday, the 13th of March, was key for the Flyers. In coming back in a big game, and having a third-straight shut-out, it gives the Flyers a blazing hot goalie at the perfect time of the year. Brodeur did not do badly, however. He made nine more saves than Bryzgalov, only letting two by on 28 shots faced. The third Flyers goal was an empty net goal on an interesting decision by Devs' Coach Peter Deboer. The Flyers came out victorious, Tuesday night in Philadelphia, and they won the battle untouched.

There were no tallies put on the board in the first period, just two penalties taken by Philly. The New Jersey power-play was unproductive. Very early in the first, Flyers' agitator and point-producer, Scott Hartnell rang a slapper off the pipe. It was very nearly a 1-0 game right out of the gates. Brodeur also made very big saves which kept the game even for the duration of the period.

Ilya Bryzgalov skates onto the ice

The Flyers put the pressure level on high in the middle period. They took 13 shots on goal. Half-way through the period, rookie Sean Couturier scored his 12th of the season for the orange and black Flyers team. Defenseman Braydon Coburn received the lone assist and his 15th of the year. Shortly after, Ilya Kovalchuk took a slashing penalty to add to the Devils two penalties already in the period. The game went into the third as a 1-0 game in favor of the Flyers.


Jakub Voracek put a damper on the Devils' hopes, scoring within three minutes of the start of the third period. The 2-0 game was forcing the Devils to get a responding goal quickly. Special teams were on the ice a large amount in the period, as the two teams combined for seven penalties. When the game was 4-on-4 play, there was around 5 minutes remaining on the game clock. And then came a very ambitious, aggressive move by Peter Deboer. He pulled Marty Brodeur out of the net to give the Devils a one-man advantage. Immediately the Flyers scored and created a devastating 3-0 lead. The game was pretty much hopeless for Jersey and the fans after that, and that, indeed, is how it ended. The Devils next game is at home against the Colorado Avalanche on the Thursday, March 15th.