Briere Scores Early and Late in 3-2 Win

[Drew]

Danny Briere scored a breakaway goal with less than two minutes remaining in regulation to lead the Philadelphia Flyers to a 3-2 victory over the Calgary Flames at Pengrowth Saddledome on Thursday night.

Complete game summary here - http://flyers.nhl.com/team/app?gameN...8&service=page
Highlights- http://flyers.nhl.tv/team/launch.htm?hlg=20072008,2,12

[Jlg-28]

good way to start the year, they did look a little flat in the 2nd and part of the 3rd. However it is just one game and I am sure they will work on that some more. The K G B line was the story and as much as it is nice to see them get going good, the other lines need to to contribute as well. Richards had a good game with several chances, Just couldn't put the puck in.

[Andy]

82-0.

Here we go.

Lal.

[Drew]

What an amazing game to start the season. Briere is off to a fabulous start!

Some insight from Tim Panaccio:

Reaction on Tense 3-2 Flyers WinToday @ 12:42 PM ET | Comments (65)
Flyers charter got here in Edmonton ... around 2 a.m. when we hit the hotel.

We don't always use the charter, but we're using it on "between" games here and for the trip to Vancouver.

Danny Birere's reaction to last night ... Simon Gagne forced a turnover off Anders Eriksson and fed Briere for a clean break to the net. Briere somehow controlled the bouncing puck before beating Kipper for the game winner in the final two minutes:

"It was a big break to get that bounce," said Briere. "It's a great feeling right now. To start like this on a new team is an unbelievable feeling."

This team has lacked a "finisher" with flare for a while now.

"It's not about one guy. It's a team effort," Briere told me later. "It's team game. One guy does not change the whole thing. I got lucky. I got the bounce. Simon made a great play seeing me along in the middle, too. It's a good feeling. It's just one game. It's important that we keep our feet on the ground and not get too high.

"After we got that 2-0 lead we slowed down a bit And it became a dump and chase game. Nothing much was happening. Guys were kinda waiting for the power plays to happen. There just wasn't much going on."

Gagne's reaction:

"We had a chance to play in pre-season together and it's a bit different game but tonight you could see. If we play like this every night it will be fun. To play with Danny on the same line with Mike Knuble, it is definitely going to help us win some hockey games.

"It takes time [to develop a connection] There is always space for improvement. From Day One in training camp and through pre-season we were doing a little more on the ice. Time is going to make us better."

He likes being the guy making it happen to someone else, too.

"That was fun," he said. "It was kinda a breakway too to see Daniel ahead of me. It's 50-50 sometimes. I know Danny has a great shot on a breakaway like that. So it was a great feeling to give him the puck and see that one go in."

Briere on his debut and first goal, a wraparound:

"It's pretty cool," Briere said. "You could not have scripted it any better. The good thing is you don't want to go five, six, seven games [without scoring] and start chasing, [with] pressure building up.

"It is an area where I feel very comfortable, for some reason," he said, meaning behind the net. "When I get behind the net, it is tough for the goalie. He has to look both ways. The play is behind him; the defensemen don't know which way to chase you."

Coach John Stevens on Briere:

"When he has the puck and he is in traffic, he has the ability to make plays. He has that twinkle in his eye when the game is on the line. You saw it in Buffalo and you saw it tonight. His composure is always there."

**

No one happy how the Flyers basically went to sleep after that opening period.

[Rex]

Biron was a huge reason the Flyers won this game. He made so many routine saves that goalies of the past had a hard time getting in front of, especially going post to post. Granted he let up that second Langkow one, but he did well on the rest.

Briere looked just goddamn dangerous last night. Very good to see that 52 mill go to something useful.