Jagr Stars As Winter Classic Takes Shape

  After the announcement of Philadelphia being named host to this year’s Winter Classic against the New York Rangers, the two teams took to the ice against each other in their first meeting of the year.

  In a colorful media release on the Citizens Bank Park field, home of the Philadelphia Phillies MLB cub, the worst kept secret in hockey was officially released. The Flyers will host the 2011-2012 Winter Classic on January 2nd. The 45,000-seat ballpark is the setting for the fifth Winter Classic.

  Glen Sather, general manager of the New York Rangers, had some jabs at the Philadelphia fans and team during the press conference. When he made the statement; "We're going to come to Philadelphia, and we are going to win." In a jogging manor, he must not have meant on this day.

  The Flyers are getting plenty of attention following the announcement, but the off-season moves were of even bigger headlines.

  Freshly returned to the NHL, Jaromir Jagr picked up where he left off after notching a goal and an assist the his first NHL game since the conclusion of the 2007-2008 season, where he last played for the New York Rangers.

  The game was full of energy from start to finish as the Flyers’ off-season acquisitions continued to pay dividends. Jagr would score a pair of powerplay goals and come within inches of a hat-trick. He also added an assist in the Flyers 5-3 victory over the Rangers.

"I feel better today than I did yesterday," Jagr said. "I think it was more skating, more to get used to the smaller ice. I think the first game, because the ice is so small, I catch myself in the middle more than on the left side. You have to learn small turns to do it."

  Rangers youngster Andreas Thuresson started the Rangers off right early in the first period at 2:36 with a tired Flyers squad trapped on the ice. Jagr quickly responded with a bomb of a one-timer slapshot at 9:36, his 2nd goal of the pre-season. About mid-way through the first the two teams would collide in a ten man brawl after a hit from behind by 23 year old Flyers forward Tom Sestito. Sestito was given a 5 minute major penalty and a game misconduct for the hit. The hit will obviously be reviewed by Shanahan and company. The game featured 77 penalty minutes between the teams.

  In the second period (4:54) Jagr would score his 2nd of the night as he crept into the slot for a one-time feed from Daniel Briere, who tallied 3 assists in the game. Midway into the period newly signed goaltender llya Bryzgalov made a terrific save on Brandon Dubinsky as he and Erik Christensen forced the turnover in the Flyers’ own zone.

  Brierre would make his 2nd of 3 assists on Matt Read’s go ahead goal to lift the team 3-2 in the second period, but it was Claude Grioux’s own 3rd assist of the game that won it as Braydon Coburn buried the game winner. Jagr also assisted on the goal.

  With Wayne Simmonds’ empty net goal came his third in the pre-season as a Flyer in as many games. He has looked right at home in his new setting.

  Veteran superstar Jaromi Jar hags netted 3 goals and 2 assists in his 2 games played, but it was the chemistry he and Flyers star Claude Giroux seemed to have that brought delight to the Flyers fans and coaching staff.

  Though the Flyers lost some huge names in the off-season, somehow their roster is looking just as solid thus far. Jagr, Giroux, and Brierre provide an elite level of offense, as strong and offensively talented forwards such as Wayne Simmonds and Scott Hartnell really round out the team to a complete package offensively. The Flyers also benefit from having three very young, and very talented 1st rounders in their deck, all of whom are excelling at alarming rates. 22 year-old James van Riemsdyk (2007 (1/2), 22 year old Jakub Voracek (2007 (1/7), and 20 year old Brayden Schenn (2009) (1/5) have all been in top form.

  The off-season move to acquire goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov will not yield a result in terms of pay-off just yet. The 31 year old hasn’t gotten quite as comfortable as early as some of his teammates. Through 2 games he is 1-1-0 with a 3.5 goals against average and .864 save percentage. There’s not much question in his abilities, but the age old problem of goaltending is a continuous question for the Flyers until the results are more defined.

  If ‘Bryz’ can find his niche, the Flyers look poised to have a great run.

  The game was close and hard fought, and is a great intro into the lead up of the highly anticipated outdoor game between these two teams set for January 2nd.

- Kendall Grubbs