There were five fights and only four shots on goal. And the game was not even 10 minutes old.
"I love the enthusiasm they came out and played with," Flyers coach John Stevens said after Monday's 3-2 exhibition victory over the New Jersey Devils in Trenton. "The tempo was great. I loved the fact we stood up for each other."
Jesse Boulerice fought twice with Devils tough guy Cam Janssen. "I had this one planned out for the whole summer," Boulerice said sheepishly.
Flyers fans will remember Boulerice, who had tough times with the team and the minor-league Phantoms five years ago. He is 29 now, more mature, and back in camp on a mission and without a contract.
The 6-foot-2, 215-pound winger might be exactly what the new-look Flyers need.
"I pretty much know my role," Boulerice said. "It's my 10th year. I know what needs to be done and when. I want to be the guy who brings energy to the team, hits everything that moves, tries to make plays when they are there, sticks up for his teammates, and gets the momentum going in our direction."
Boulerice did all that in the exhibition opener. He was one of the team's strongest forwards, along with R.J. Umberger and Mike Richards.
His game has evolved. He checks, skates well, and plays solid defense. He's not your typical Flyers goon, in other words.
"Definitely, I feel I've improved every year in my career," Boulerice said.
"I can't be giving up chances," he said. "I've worked on my hands my entire career, patience with the puck, and trying to make better, safer plays without turnovers."
Credit former Carolina coach Paul Maurice for making Boulerice a better player after the Flyers traded him to the Hurricanes in February 2002.
"He really took me under his wing and helped me out," Boulerice said. "Things took a wrong turn when the coaching staff changed."
Boulerice played 76 games with Carolina in 2003-04 but has dressed for just 38 NHL games since, with Carolina and St. Louis.
During his first go-round here, Boulerice seemed nothing more than a scrapper. He also had an interest in martial arts, which in time have given him the discipline he seemed to lack.
Boulerice said he tried to use them "to make me a smarter fighter."
Competing for the job of Flyers enforcer are Boulerice, Riley Cote and Ben Eager. Eager has offensive skills, but is not a great fighter. Cote has less experience than Eager. Boulerice looks like the best fighter of the group but won't pile up offensive statistics.
Stevens likes the aggressive forechecking Boulerice brings, plus the fact that his legs are always moving.
The Flyers don't need offense from Boulerice. They need protection for their star players. General manager Paul Holmgren made no guarantees to Boulerice other than a chance to win a job.
"I thought Jesse started out slowly, but he's gotten better every day in camp," Holmgren said. "He can help us. He's a really good kid."
Loose pucks. The Ottawa Senators beat the Flyers, 4-0, in an exhibition game last night in London, Ontario. Antero Niittymaki allowed three goals in the first period. . . . Forwards Mario Kempe, Garrett Klotz and Patrick Maroon, and defenseman Kevin Marshall, went back to their Canadian Hockey League teams yesterday. . . . The Flyers released forward Matt Stefanishion and defenseman Ryan Wilson, who were on tryouts.
Contact staff writer Tim Panaccio at 215-854-2847 or tpanaccio@phillynews.com.
