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PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- John Vanbiesbrouck is making it look easy
again.
|  | | Philadelphia's Luke Richardson, left, helps goalie John Vanbriesbrouck stop Florida's Ryan Johnson on the doorstep. |
The Philadelphia goaltender tied his club record with his
third straight shutout as the Flyers defeated the Florida Panthers
2-0 Sunday night.
"John is really finding pucks and seeing it well," Flyers
assistant coach Craig Ramsey said. "He is not searching for the
puck. He knew it was there. He made the key saves again tonight."
Jody Hull scored an unassisted goal in the first period and Eric
Lindros added an empty-netter with 37.1 seconds left in the game.
Vanbiesbrouck, who stopped 22 shots in recording his 38th career
shutout, said he was a little lucky Sunday against Florida, one of
his former teams.
"I got fortunate, too," he said. "It's not easy. Guys are out
there fighting, scratching, blocking pucks. We're doing it all."
It was the fourth straight win for the Flyers after going 0-5-1
in their first six games. The Panthers lost their second straight
after starting out with a 5-1-1 mark.
Vanbiesbrouck, who has not allowed a goal in the last 214:27, is
close to his club record and career high scoreless string of 218:42
established last season when he had three consecutive shutouts for
the first time, also a Flyers record.
"We're playing one shift at a time, not looking too far
ahead," Vanbiesbrouck said. "We're doing the nuts and bolts
things and getting it done."
Vanbiesbrouck rarely was tested as he thwarted Florida's four
power-play attempts. His best save came with about 13 minutes left
in the game when he stopped Rob Niedermayer on a short-handed
two-on-one attempt.
The Panthers are only 1-for-12 on the power play in their last
two games.
Hull scored his second goal of the season unassisted at 13:40 of
the first period to give the Flyers a 1-0 lead, knocking in a
rebound of his own breakaway shot off the left skate of Florida
goaltender Sean Burke.
Burke also played well, stopping 31 of 33 Philadelphia shots.
"Burke had a good game but Vanbiesbrouck was really on," said
Florida forward Cameron Stewart. "He and his team seem to be in a
pretty good zone right now."
Hull, who played for the Flyers last season, was reaquired from
the Atlanta Thrashers for future considerations on Oct. 15.
Florida's Pavel Bure missed his fifth straight game with a groin
injury. Ray Whitney, who is tied for the Panthers' scoring lead
with eight points, and defenseman Bret Hedican were also scratched
with groin strains.
"Without Bure and Whitney it makes a big difference," said
Florida coach Terry Murray. "Bure is a dynamite player and a
tremendous goal scorer."
Ramsey made the postgame remarks to the media in place of head
coach Roger Neilson, who remained behind the Philadelphia bench
through the game despite feeling ill. Neilson will be evaluated by
a doctor Monday.
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NHL Scoreboard
Florida Clubhouse
Philadelphia Clubhouse
RECAPS
Vancouver 3
NY Rangers 0
Philadelphia 2
Florida 0
Boston 3
Anaheim 2
Los Angeles 4
San Jose 3
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