Emery Beats Ottawa: Revenge, Redemption, Call It What You Will

In his first game against his former team, surrounded by his new fans at the Philadelphia Flyers Wachovia Centre, all eyes were focused on Ray Emery and, if you are a Philadelphia Flyers fan, you liked what you watched.

Two seasons ago, Emery was fingered as the Ottawa Senators bad boy, the reason for everything that ailed the team. On the ice, in the dressing room, off the ice and in the newspapers, Emery made headlines for all the wrong reasons.

In the end, the Ottawa Senators and the rest of the NHL turned their back on the young goaltender, forcing Emery to pack his bags and make his way to Russia to play in the KHL.

The “rehabilitation” was a success and, after posting a 22-8-0 record with a 2.12 GAA and a .926 SV percentage with Mytishchi Atlant of the KHL, Ray Emery seemed destined to make yet another comeback, this time in the NHL.

Ottawa could have stepped up and offered their former player another chance, but, despite Emery's turnaround, the Ottawa Senators chose to pass, instead making a move to bring in former Columbus Blue Jacket goaltender, Pascal Leclaire. If only they could turn back time...

Enter the Philadelphia Flyers, who signed Emery to a one-year $1.5 million deal. At the time of the signing, it seemed like a big risk to some, but Emery has played exceptionally well for the Flyers and, by all accounts, seems to have put the stupid antics behind him.

Thursday night was no exception. Facing his former team for the first time (Ottawa Senators) Emery had the opportunity to exorcise the demons that came along with his playing days in Ottawa and he seized the opportunity.

Emery had a solid game for the Flyers, leading the Flyers to a convincing 5-1 victory.

Emery stopped 22 of 23 shots, and for the most part, he made it look easy. I think it’s safe to say that Emery not only exorcised the demons, he is now poised to haunt the Senators for years to come.

Sure, Emery benefited from a solid all-around game from his teammates, but make no mistake about it, this was Emery’s night to shine and nobody can take away the smile he will have on his face for the next day or two.

Emery now sits at 10-3-1 on the season with an exceptional 2.18 GAA and a .924 SV percentage. Anyone think the Sens would like another shot at making nice with Emery now?

Besides Emery, Daniel Briere made a solid comeback off the IR, registering four shots, two of which beat Senators goaltender Pascal Leclaire in the third period. Briere, who had been sidelined with a quadriceps injury, played 16:52, second most among all Flyers forwards.

Flyers defensemen Chris Pronger and Kimmo Timonen each had a solid game. Both D-men finished with two assists and a plus/minus rating of +1. Braydon Coburn also had a solid game, finishing with one assist, a plus/minus rating of +1 and 23:54 of ice time, the most of any Flyer on the night.

In the end, it was a great team effort, the Flyers' fifth win in a row and another two points earned, furthering the Flyers efforts to take a run at the Atlantic Division title, of which they now sit just three points back of the New Jersey Devils and Pittsburgh Penguins.

Ray Emery may win more important games this season, but tonight’s win against the Ottawa Senators will go a long way in building his confidence and keeping Emery on track for what appears to be a career year.

Next up for the Flyers? A match against the Buffalo Sabres at Home on Saturday night, a game that will see two of the NHL’s best Defenses—the Sabres are ranked fifth overall, the Flyers are ranked ninth overall—go head-to-head.

Until next time,

Peace!