May 2, 2012, New Jersey Devils-Philadelphia Flyers Game 2 Eastern Conference Semifinals game story for Metro Newspaper in NYC
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BRUCE BENNETT/GETTY IMAGES
Martin Brodeur, right, was ripped to the ground by Danny Briere in a chippy Game 2.
The Devils were one period away from being halfway home for the summer.
Desperate circumstances demand difference makers and inside the cauldron
of noise that was the Wells Fargo Center Tuesday night, it was Adam
Larsson, David Clarkson, Travis Zajac and Martin Brodeur who stepped to
the forefront. As a result, the Devils return home to the Prudential
Center having split the first two games of the Eastern Conference
semifinal series against the Flyers.
“We responded well,” Zach Parise said after the Devils evened the series
with a 4-1, come-from-behind, win over the Flyers in Game 2. Game 3 is
Thursday night at the Rock.
Larsson, Clarkson and Zajac scored back-to-back-to-back goals in a span
of 11:07 to turn a 1-0 deficit into a 3-1 lead. Bryce Salvador added an
empty net goal with 2:51 remaining. Brodeur turned away 19 shots.
Ilya Bryzgalov made 31 saves for Philadelphia. Matt Read scored the Flyers’ lone goal just 2:53 into the match.
Philadelphia was content to milk the lead and the strategy worked until
Larsson tied the game, 1-1, with a bullet over Bryzgalov 3:08 into the
third. Larsson was in the lineup for the first time since April 7 due to
Ilya Kovalchuk remaining in New Jersey receiving treatment for a lower
body injury.
“I was very glad to get back,” Larsson said. “I knew if I wanted to stay
in the lineup I had to step it up. It was a great drop pass by [Dainius
Zubrus] and it was a great screen by [Adam Henrique]. I just tried to
get it high.”
The game was even on the scoreboard. On the ice, it was the Devils who had the advantage.
Clarkson put the Devils ahead for good with a crease-crashing goal at
8:43. Zajac’s wraparound goal three minutes later increased the lead to
3-1.
“Their skating was better than our skating,” Flyers coach Peter
Laviolette said. “They were quicker; they were more competitive on the
puck than we were. In the end, the results are just based on our play.”
The Devils outshot the Flyers 35-20 for the game, but many of their
attempts were long shots from the periphery as the Flyers packed the
middle of the ice. Philadelphia also blocked 23 shots.
“We were getting chances, it wasn’t going in for us. Finally we kept
working,” David Clarkson said. “We didn’t give up. ... We kept pushing.”
The Devils were shorthanded as Ilya Kovalchuk missed the game with an
undisclosed lower-body injury, according to general manager Lou
Lamoriello. There has been speculation that Kovalchuk’s back or groin is
bothering him, although he would only say he was “fine” when previously
asked about his condition.
“He’s had this since the middle of the first series,” Lamoriello told
reporters Tuesday morning. “It’s not positive for the team if he can’t
be at 100 percent.”
Coach Peter DeBoer moved defenseman Peter Harrold to a fourth line wing
position and inserted Larsson into the lineup. Larsson was plus-one in
13:15 of ice time, while Harrold was credited with an assist and four
shots on goal in 6:47.
“He’s a huge part of our team,” Parise said of Kovalchuk. “Internally we
knew everyone had to be a little better without him in the lineup.
“We had contributions from everyone. Our all-around team game was good.”
Follow NHL writer Denis Gorman on Twitter @DenisGorman.
Follow NHL writer Denis Gorman on Twitter @DenisGorman.
http://www.metro.us/newyork/sports/article/1141960--devils-even-up-series-with-win-in-philadelphia
posted by Denis P. Gorman at 10:51 AM
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