Philadelphia Flyers' goalie Ilya Bryzgalov leaves the ice following practice for the Winter Classic hockey game, Sunday, Jan. 1, 2012, in Philadelphia. The Flyers are slated host the New York Rangers outdoors on Monday. (AP Photo/Tom Mihalek)The Associated Press
Philadelphia Flyers goalie Ilya Bryzgalov wasn't ready to celebrate, even though he labelled it "great news" for his team that he wouldn't start in Monday's Winter Classic game against the New York Rangers.
While coach Peter Laviolette told reporters he would not yet make an announcement, Bryzgalov told the media after practice at Citizens Bank Park that he was No. 2 on the depth chart behind Sergei Bobrovsky. The goalie said goaltender coach Jeff Reese also delivered the news.
After going winless in his past four starts at 0-3-1, Bryzgalov offered a blunt declaration regarding his benching.
"I have great news and even better news," Bryzgalov said. "OK, great news is I'm not playing, and better news is we have a chance to win the game."