Flyers Spoil Advancement Day, Game Seven Awaits

Jordan Leopold and Ryan Miller
defend against James van Riemsdyk.
(Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images)

It finally happened.  The team to score first in a game this series has been defeated.  Once again, the Flyers turned their game-play around after their starting goaltender was pulled from the game.  This time, the change was at the start the second period after the Sabres jumped out of the gates fast scoring three goals on eight shots in the first frame.  Brian Boucher replaced Michael Leighton and made 24 saves on 25 shots along the rest of the way to their pivotal Game Six victory.  Following his performance, Boucher was announced as the Flyers' Game Seven starter.  The Sabres are now 6-3-3 in games played on holidays over the course of this year's regular season and post-season.  Hooray for useless stats. Now onto business.

This series has been extremely close, about as close as one can get.  Duh, you already knew that.  Every game except one, Game Three, has been decided by one goal.  But Game Three was the Flyers' 4-2 victory that included an empty-netter.  As I said before, I don't count empty-netters.  So figuratively saying, all six games this series have been decided by one goal.  Jeez.  The stat that stands out the most from yesterday's game is shots on goal.  The Flyers tallied 49 shots to the Sabres' 33.  Not only were the Flyers getting plenty of shots off, they were crashing the net effectively.  The Flyers' fourth goal was a result of their strong team effort to crash the net but also from the Sabres looking confused and diving around.  The Sabres need to do a much better job of pushing Flyers away from their goal if they want to see success in Game Seven.  Slamming them into the ice like the picture above is a bonus.  Thank you, Jordan Leopold.  The defense lacked any organization on some goals yesterday.  The Flyers' third goal, which came on the power play, may have been prevented if Tim Connolly could have held onto his stick.  With his point wide open, Danny Briere had a paved path to rip one.  Game highlights can be seen here.  The Sabres' offense played a good game but missed on some key chances.  Early on in the third, Drew Stafford had a great chance to put the Sabres up by two when he and Tyler Ennis had a two-on-one break. But, Stafford came up short in hitting the outside of the right post.  Thomas Vanek scored his third and fourth power play goals of the series.  The last Sabre to do such a thing was Pat LaFontaine when he scored five in the Sabres' Adam's Division Semi-finals against Boston in 1992.

The story of the game really has to do with Tim Connolly.  Just over halfway through the second period, Connolly was pushed head-first into the boards (video) by Mike Richards.  Connolly missed the remainder of the game while Richards was only given two minutes for boarding.  Richards then stepped out of the box and assisted on both the Flyers' game-tying and game-winning goals.  Do you think that Richards should be been given a game-misconduct, fined or suspended?  I think he should get something.  He should have at least been given a game-misconduct or a five-minute major.  If this hit by Matt Cooke warrants five minutes and a four-game suspension, yesterday's should have some similar result.  It's official, Richards is a dirty player.  How can you forget his hit on David Booth?  I'm going to provide you with a link to the NHL Wheel of Justice.  This nifty little website breaks down the exact process by which Colin Campbell and NHL Hockey Operations determine a player's punishment after a questionable play (not really).  What little information made public on Connolly's injury can be found here at Die By The Blade.  At the same time Connolly was being ruled out of Game Seven, Derek Roy was being ruled in.  Lindy Ruff mentioned in his post-game press conference that Roy will be ready to go.  While it would be nice to have both centers in the lineup, one will have to suffice.

Jason Pominville missed the game after his injury in Game Six.  What we know about the injury is that a skate cut the back of his leg, luckily missing his Achilles tendon, and surgery will not be required.  A timetable for his return has not been set, but many of the details regarding the injury have not been released.  Matt Ellis was recalled from Portland and played in Pominville's place.  Ellis won seven of his ten face-offs and had a hit in his 17 shifts totaling 11:32 of ice-time.  Chris Pronger made a surprise appearance after it was said he would miss the remainder of the series.  He skated for five shifts totaling 4:33 of ice-time. All came on the power play.

As the Sabres were leaving the ice following the loss, the NBC broadcast showed a Sabres fan with a seat next to the Sabres' tunnel reach over and pat Ryan Miller on the back as he walked by.  I just wanted to thank that man, whoever he may be.  If I were lucky enough to have had those seats for yesterday's game, I would have done the same.  But I would also make sure to yell, "Heads up guys, it isn't over!" a couple times for each player to hear.  Despite the loss, this game-photo cracks me up and deserves a mention.  Game Seven, or D-Day, whichever you prefer, will begin at 7:30pm EDT on Tuesday.  As General Dwight D. Eisenhower said back in 1944, "We will accept nothing less than a full victory."