Emery opens his Flyers career with a shutout. (Image Credits: Neat1325)
While I was busy getting my Citizen Bank Park cherry popped to the tune of a disappointing loss the Marlins, the Flyers were opening their season in Carolina. My first CBP experience wasn’t necessarily bad (other than wandering around the Park the long way) with the Phinally Philly crew. Good times were had by all. Thanks to everyone who came out. Back to the point though…
Ray Emery earns his first career win as a Flyer with a shutout of the Carolina Hurricanes. Great way to start right? Well, he owes his posts, Chris Pronger, Kimmo Timonen, and as with any Flyers win, his entire penalty-killing team a bunch of steak dinners.
Ignoring the fact that Ovechkin currently holds the Hart Trophy for League MVP, Emery is the current leader in that race as well as the race for Vezina for best goaltender. How could he not be in the lead when he’s running away with all four goaltending categories? Don’t believe me?
Get a good long look. As good as Emery is, that is the first and last time you’ll see him leading all four categories. It’s certainly enough to get people to crack a smile though. How could you not be excited?
I didn’t get to watch the game, but from what I understand, Pronger and Timonen deserve all the credit for this win. I don’t think it’s hit everyone just yet that the Flyers, on top of their incredible offense, have arguably the best blueline in the NHL.
Either way, Emery stops all 28 shots, and the Flyers killed off all 7 penalties against while getting two power-play goals themselves for the victory.
1st Goal -- Philadelphia Flyers (PP) -- 00:25 2nd Period
- Jeff Carter, assists by Danny Briere and Scott Hartnell
2nd Goal -- Philadelphia Flyers (PP) -- 00:47 2nd Period
- Mike Richards, assists by Simon Gagne and James van Riemsdyk
Before I forget, James van Riemsdyk earns his first regular season NHL point in the victory. Contracts to the former 2nd overall pick.
Flyers finish their opening back-to-back road game stint in New Jersey against the Devils. Here’s a little something to get you pumped up:
Examiner.com -- Emery earns shutout in first start
On Friday night the Flyers opened their 2009-10 regular season in Carolina against the Hurricanes. With a tough early schedule it was important that the orange and black got off to a strong start. Fortunately for the team, Emery and the defense were there to save the day.
While the Flyers offense generally held the Hurricanes at bay with offenisve flurries, the defense got its chances to make a statement. Kimmo Timonen and Chris Pronger were the best skaters on the ice and made sure to give new goaltender Ray Emery the best chance to win. Both defensemen, as well as Braydon Coburn, logged nearly a half hour of ice-time as the Flyers killed off seven penalties and Emery stopped all 28 shots he faced.
Blair Betts looked well worth his money killing penalties, and summer acquisition, Ian Laperriere, had a timely blocked shot.
In a game completely dominated by special teams the Flyers managed to score two power-play goals. Jeff Carter scored the first just 23 seconds into the second period with assists by Danny Briere and Scott Hartnell while Mike Richards added another power-play tally just 24 seconds later with assists by Simon Gagne and James van Riemsdyk.
Van Riemsdyk, the Flyers top rookie, earned his first career NHL point as the score holds through the rest of the game for the Flyers 2-0 shutout victory.
Currently Emery leads all NHL goaltenders in every stat, but there is no word on whether those doubting his abilities have written this off as a fluke. He will get another shot tonight as the Flyers travel to New Jersey for their second away game in back-to-back nights to open the season.
