For much of the game, it appeared Bryzgalov was set for another impressive outing. Then, the third period happened, when he allowed three of the four goals (one was an empty-netter) for another loss. He saved 32 of 37 shots, including all nine shots in the second period.
"The turnovers we gave up, I don't think it's fair to blame Bryz," winger Daniel Briere said. "It's tough because you're the goalie, your last defense, you're the one who sticks out when we don't win."
Bryzgalov acknowledged as much, although he was pleased that Laviolette at least called on him for the second consecutive day.
"I was happy coach gave me ice time tonight," Bryzgalov said. "I'd be happier if we finished the game, got the result. But we got to continue to work, prepare for Carolina [tomorrow]."
Jagr returns
Jaromir Jagr played 15 minutes, 43 seconds in his return after missing the last two games with a groin injury. He left the Winter Classic early because of the injury. Yesterday, Jagr did not record a point and was a minus-1.
"I wanted to play, because the game's different than practice," Jagr said. "It's just too bad, we didn't finish with the lead."
When asked after the game about Jagr's play, Peter Laviolette instead elected to talk about the team.
No tired excuses
Before the game, Peter Laviolette did not think fatigue would be a factor in the second game in as many days because the Senators were dealing with the same issue. He acknowledged it would be more of a concern if the Senators were rested. After the game, the Flyers did not use physical fatigue or tired legs as an excuse for the third-period collapse.
"I didn't feel any fatigue or anything like that," Matt Read said. "But the little things weren't there tonight so maybe mentally we weren't prepared."
Chippy play
After the Flyers and Senators engaged in a physical game on Saturday - so much so, in fact, that even Danny Briere engaged in a fight - the two teams picked up where they left off 16 seconds into yesterday's game. That's when Zac Rinaldo and Zenon Konopka dropped gloves. After that, the fighting waned and the scoring started. There were scuffles, but there was not another fight for the rest of the game.
