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. …

Crashing the Crease: Killer Rebounds

By Justin Brennan
Posted on 07/12/2012 at 9:00 am

Last week, Kevin took the time to evaluate Michael Leighton’s year in the AHL and to provide some insight into issues that we may expect to see with him. One of the big issues I saw in watching the videos was what I’m going to call the “killer rebound.” In basic terms, this “killer rebound” is a first save gone wrong. Horribly wrong. The goalie makes the stop and, for a moment, feels a glimmer of satisfaction. His pallor quickly reveals, though, that all is not right with this save. For one reason or another (i.e. a purely blocking save …

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 …

Crashing the Crease: The Book on Bryz

By Justin Brennan
Posted on 06/28/2012 at 9:00 am

Ilya Bryzgalov was brought to Philadelphia to do the seemingly impossible: stop the “goaltending carousel” that has been the counterpoint to nearly every success the organization has had in the past two decades. Marked by dismal lows and remarkable highs, the first few games of the 2011-2012 season kicked off seemingly well, but rapidly started losing steam. These early-season struggles persisted and eventually culminated in Bryz’s announcement of his benching at the Winter Classic, much to the delight of the Flyers coaching staff. Goalies are notorious for being quirky and somewhat unsettling. They are typically the kind of guy that …

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 …

READ:«1 2 34