Ilya Bryzgalov to be tested as Philadelphia Flyers host Vancouver Canucks -NHL Match Preview
Philadelphia’s new acquired goalie over the offseason from Phoenix Coyotes, Ilya Bryzgalov, has not gone up against a shooting team thus far in the two matches they have played in the 2011-2012 National Hockey League (NHL) regular season, but now as Flyers
make their home season opener against Vancouver Canucks, the veteran defender will be tested to the max.
Flyers were up against Boston Bruins in their first contest, which is regarded widely as being a top-notch defending team and managed to win, 2-1. They followed by playing against New Jersey Devils, who at the moment have offensive problems of their own
and were shutout, 3-0.
Facing-off against Vancouver and their Sedin twins and Ryan Kesler, who led the club to their first Stanley Cup appearance in over 20 years, Bryzgalov will have to give Philadelphia bang for their buck.
Ilya Bryzgalov, Philadelphia’s 31-year-old goaltender, will be going up against one of the best goalies in the league, Vancouver’s Roberto Luongo, making it a showdown of the giants, but for the Russian player, team work will be the ultimate decider.
"I can't say enough about the whole team work ethic", said Bryzgalov, following their win against New Jersey Devils on Saturday. "Everybody's doing their part. It's been amazing".
Vancouver Canucks lost by a hair against Pittsburgh Penguins, 4-3, in a home opening shootout and followed that by a 3-2 victory of Columbus Blue Jackets. Seeing either Corey Schneider or Roberto Luongo in net for the team will be equally as difficult for
Philadelphia.
"We're usually a pretty good road team and sometimes it does take us a little bit to get into it", Schneider told the Vancouver Sun. "There were times we were a bit lackluster. But that's my job -- to keep us in it and let us get our feet going. With this
team, it might take three periods, but we'll get back into it and make it a game".
Something that might give Philadelphia that extra advantage over Vancouver are their newly acquired shooters like Wayne Simmonds, who has been miraculous for the team which loss some of its best players over the offseason in trades, Mark Richards and Jeff
Carter.
Philadelphia Flyers head coach, Peter Laviolette, certainly believes that his team has players which have defined roles and they know what to do, when needed.
Unfortunately for Vancouver, they will be without their American All-Star player, Ryan Kesler due to a hip surgery he underwent during the offseason, along with Mason Raymond due to a back injury. Both players are currently on long-term injured lists.
Flyers on the other hand are completely healthy and have all players good-to-go, giving them an extra advantage.
Philadelphia fans will surely be excited for their first home game of the season as Flyers face-off against Vancouver Canucks on Wednesday, October 12, 2011, at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States.
The matchup is scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m. ET.
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