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With the Philadelphia Flyers missing the playoffs this season, it gave Ilya Bryzgalov a chance to play for his native Russia in the World Championships. It's a different team and league, but he's up to some of his same old tricks.
The Russians faced the Americans on Tuesday in Helsinki, Finland, in the opening round of the tournament. Russia defeated the USA 5-3 with the strength of a strong third period. But it was earlier in the second period when Bryzgalov made this, um, save attempt.
It came on a point shot from American defenseman Matt Hunwick that was deflected where Bryzgalov went with a move we saw from him this season in the NHL; the duck.
Just as it failed in the NHL earlier this season, it didn't work this time, either. The puck went in over the ducking Bryzgalov and in the net. It was the last goal the Americans would score in the game, however.
I want to give him some benefit of the doubt on this one with the deflections. Perhaps he was going down low and then reacted by throwing his hands up when the puck was deflected into the air, but the fact that his head is buried under his hands doesn't look so good.
Just a reminder to Bryzgalov: You have a mask. They work just fine. Ask Henrik Lundqvist.
