Emery gets his first win as a Flyer while stopping
all 28 shots. (Image Credits: Neat1325
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.
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