Earlier in the week, Flyers coach Peter Laviolette said that he was hoping the benching "burns him a little" and that van Riemsdyk becomes revitalized when he returns.
"I'm not going to pout about it. You don't get to this point by being a baby about things like this and not reacting to it the right way," van Riemsdyk said. " . . . I've been working as hard as I have been throughout the year, so I don't think that's been a problem. I'm just going to keep working hard and working on things that can make me a better player."
Van Riemsdyk, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2007 draft, said he needed a few more "lucky" bounces and "maybe be a little stronger on the puck in the offensive zone."
The second-year player said he wasn't thinking about getting sent to the AHL Phantoms. The Flyers sent Eric Wellwood to Adirondack earlier in the week.
"That's something that's, obviously, completely out of my control," said van Riemsdyk, a 15-goal scorer as a rookie. "I'm not worried about [that]. Obviously, I want to be here. I know I can help the team. I think I've shown I can play at this level and be a successful player when given the opportunity, so I'm excited to be here and work."
Sticking it to opponents. Heading into Thursday, the Flyers led the NHL in a dubious category: most penalties using the stick - 48, including seven by Jeff Carter.
Being shorthanded so often "taxes our players" and takes them out of their flow, Laviolette said, adding it forces high-scoring Danny Briere to sit and "takes him out of a roll and out of a rhythm."
Quotable. Briere on shooting a team-best 82 at the elite Pinehurst golf course Tuesday:
"You don't want to shoot too good, because then they think you're on the golf course too much. You have to screw up a few shots, especially when you're golfing with the coach."
By the way, after a miserable front nine, Claude Giroux was just 2 over par on the back nine.
Breakaways. Goalie Brian Boucher hasn't played since Oct. 25, and Laviolette said he wanted to give him a start soon. Beginning Saturday, the Flyers play three games in four nights, so Boucher figures to get one of the starts - probably Monday against Ottawa. . . . Starting Thursday, the Flyers will play 10 games in 16 nights, including two sets of games on consecutive nights.
- Sam Carchidi
