Philadelphia Flyers Ilya Bryzgalov winning back fans -NHL Update
Ilya Bryzgalov did not get much love when Philadelphia signed him on to a huge contract during the 2011 offseason but now, with his recent performances leading the Flyers to back-to-back wins, the fans are loving the veteran goalie and how their club is
playing.
The Russian sensation knew that if he proved himself in front of the Philadelphia fan base, he would eventually win them over and that day has come for the goalie.
"From hating to the love in one step," Bryzgalov said. "And the same in the other direction."
There were times this 2011-2012 National Hockey League (NHL) regular season in which fans booed the former Phoenix Coyotes goalie, but now, they have turned into chants in favour of him which is obviously something Bryzgalov is proud of.
He seems pretty locked in right now," Flyers coach, Peter Laviolette. "He’s preparing, he's going out there, he's executing, and then he gets ready for the next one. It's more mechanical now -- not his game or anything, just what he's doing. He's dialed
in from day to day. He works hard in practice, he gets ready for the game, he goes out and does what he has to do and focuses on the next day when it comes."
Bryzgalov was not as consistent at the start of the season but now, the goalie has found his way of handling different situations with the Flyers. Phoenix had a great time with Bryzgalov but not making any significant developments in regards to the playoffs,
he wanted out.
Philadelphia is currently at the fifth number position in the Eastern Conference with 83 points and seeing how Bryzgalov has been playing recently, the Flyers just might be moving up to the top spots sooner than later, but there is one issue.
New York Rangers, the leading team not only in the East but also in the Atlantic Division along with fourth place Pittsburgh Penguins, Philadelphia has some tough competition with those two clubs in front.
On a four-game winning streak ever since March kicked off, Bryzgalov has raised the standard bar and fans are expecting a lot out him now as well. Like Tim Thomas for Boston Bruins, Ilya Bryzgalov just might be the x factor for Philadelphia in the postseason
run.
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