Ilya Bryzgalov tallies 33 saves as Flyers down Senators

Philadelphia, PA, United States (4E Sports) – Ilya Bryzgalov recorded 33 saves to carry the Philadelphia Flyers over the Ottawa Senators, 2-1, for their second straight win Saturday at Wells Fargo Center.

Jakub Voracek and Wayne Simmonds scored in the second period for the Flyers, who reached .500 for the first time this season, improving to 11-11-1 after winning five of their last seven games.

Ruslan Fedotenko, Luke Schenn, Brayden Schenn and Danny Briere tallied an assist each to help the Flyers’ cause.

Marc Methot scored the lone goal while goaltender Ben Bishop stopped 39 of 41 attempts for the Senators, who suffered their first regulation loss and second straight defeat to drop to 12-7-3.

After a scoreless first period, the Flyers grabbed the lead at 7:24 of the second on an outstanding individual effort by Voracek.

Luke Schenn chipped the puck into the Ottawa zone along the right wall with Voracek outracing Ottawa’s Eric Gryba to the puck.

Voracek then cut into the right circle to elude a backchecking Zack Smith and beat Bishop to the glove side for his ninth goal of the season.

Philadelphia made it 2-0 at 11:23 when Brayden Schenn spotted Simmond, who made a nice forehand-to-backhand move and slid the puck between Bishop’s pads for his ninth score.

Ottawa trimmed the deficit at 14:11 of the second on Methot’s first goal of the season. The Senators had a pair of chances to tie the game, including a power play with 45.6 seconds, but failed to deliver a needed goal.

The Senators also played the final 7:31 of the game without captain Daniel Alfredsson, who was given a major penalty for cross checking and a game misconduct for an incident with Flyers’ Zac Rinaldo.

It was just the second major penalty and misconduct of Alfredsson’s 17-season career. The other was April 9, 2002, against the Montreal Canadiens.

The Senators also lost defenseman Mike Lundin midway through the first period when he was hit in the head by Flyers forward Harry Zolnierczyk, who was assessed a major penalty for charging and a game misconduct.

Lundin was able to skate off the ice with assistance, but did not return.

Zolnierczyk is scheduled to face the NHL Department of Player Safety Sunday to explain the Lundin incident.

It was the second straight game Zolnierczyk has been given a game misconduct. He was also penalized for kneeing and ejected for a hit on Washington’s Mathieu Perreault Wednesday.

---

---