Crashing the Crease: It might be time to worry about Bryz.

By Kevin A
Posted on 10/25/2012 at 9:00 am

Two weeks ago on Crashing the Crease, I examined some of Ilya Bryzgalov’s goals against in action for the KHL’s CSKA Moscow. At the time, Philly’s favorite cosmonaut had an 0-2 record, 4.02 goals-against average and a save percentage of .857. He was also made a healthy scratch at one point in his run, causing much concern for those able to watch him back home. However, looking into his play in those first two games revealed a goaltender making many saves he should, some he shouldn’t, and ultimately being let down, for the most part, by his defense. At the …

Crashing the Crease: O Bryz, Where Art Thou?

By Kevin A
Posted on 10/11/2012 at 9:00 am

Ilya Bryzgalov’s KHL season is underway with CSKA Moscow, the modern-day incarnation of the Red Army hockey club. Since his arrival, much has been made about his being a healthy scratch, and concern abounds about having lost two games while yielding 4 goals in each. However, has it really been all that bad? Is he being scratched because he is terrible? Just what is going on over there? Alarms started ringing after word came back that CSKA lost to Traktor 4-3. Most North American highlight packages showed few, if any, of the goals against Bryz, therefore making it difficult to …

Crashing the Crease: Slim Bryz, slim stats?

By Kevin A
Posted on 09/13/2012 at 9:00 am

The 2012-2013 version of Ilya Bryzgalov could be a bit faster on the ice than he was last year. The Russian netminder is back to work in Voorhees, training for the upcoming NHL season, and has reportedly lost eight pounds over the Summer. At times last season, Bryz could be a little sluggish side to side. He wasn’t outright slow, nor was he heavy enough for weight to be a problem – at 6-foot-4 and 213 pounds, Bryzgalov was certainly not out of shape. In fact, his apparent lack of mobility was a combination of a stylistic approach to goaltending …

Crashing the Crease: Trap Games

By Kevin A
Posted on 08/30/2012 at 9:00 am

Hockey pundits will often discuss a phenomenon known as the “trap game.” In this case, “trap” isn’t referring to some boring neutral zone forecheck, but rather the entire game being a sort of trap. Generally, it refers to a matchup in which a team faces a weaker opponent in the midst of high-energy games. Contests like these are generally considered risky because in the midst of a series of emotional, high-energy or crucial division games, a team may underestimate a weak opponent, or simply not be as prepared for the matchup, and lose a game that probably should not have. …

Being closer to the point of a deflection increases the angle required to beat a goaltender, improving the odds of a blocking save.

Crashing the Crease: Crashing the Crease

By Kevin A
Posted on 08/02/2012 at 9:00 am

No, that title is not a symptom of double vision or some colossal editorial mistake. There is an important element to any hockey team’s game plan, and that is the very act of crashing the crease. Some broadcasters may refer to it as having good “net presence,” “going to the dirty areas to score,” or being in position to score a “garbage goal.” But net presence — and crashing the crease — is not a simple thing. Any team looking to crash the crease has a few major goals to accomplish, and each tactic demands a different response from the …

Bryzgalov's on-ice displays can be a distraction. Courtesy of the National Post.

Crashing the Crease: A Better Bryz?

By Kevin A
Posted on 07/19/2012 at 9:00 am

Another summer means another one of Ilya Bryzgalov’s goaltending camps in Ufa, and the quirky Flyers goaltender has taken time to speak to Sovetsky Sport’s Pavel Lysenkov. Puck Daddy’s Dmitry Chesnokov has published an early preview of this entertaining question and answer and in the midst Ilya’s sometimes cryptic answers lies a big clue as to what he may be focusing on for next season: “But I cannot say that I have ‘sport rage’ now and the next season I will show who the real Bryzgalov is! I set certain goals for myself and I will work to reach them. …

Image courtesy of the Courpier Post Online

Crashing the Crease: Everything Old Is New Again

By Kevin A
Posted on 07/05/2012 at 9:00 am

Paul Holmgren has wasted little time in filling the backup goaltender position left vacant from the Sergei Bobrovsky trade, extending journeyman backup Michael Leighton on a one-year, $900k contract. Ever a polarizing figure, some fans would rather Leighton never don a Flyers uniform again; others still believe him to be the savior of that season and are glad to see his return. However, there is one thing that cannot be ignored by both fans and detractors: in an incredibly weak backup market that saw almost every other option sign longer and more expensive contracts (with yesterday’s Al Montoya signing being …

2012 Winter Classic goal by Mike Rupp on Sergei Bobrovsky

Crashing the Crease: The Book on Bob

By Kevin A
Posted on 06/21/2012 at 9:00 am

Now that the 2011-2012 season has officially come to a close with the Stanley Cup having been awarded and the draft around the corner, everyone is looking toward the future of the Flyers. The future of one player in particular has garnered much attention of late: Sergei Bobrovsky. If you believe what’s floating out there in the rumor mill, it would appear that Bob’s time here in Philadelphia may come to an end soon in lieu of a more experienced, less well-paid backup. Feelings on this issue are mixed. Many are unhappy with Ilya Bryzgalov, and would blame him for …

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