PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Prized free-agent goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov, making his first appearance as a Flyer, allowed stick-side goals to Juraj Mikus, Matt Frattin and Joe Colborne, as the Toronto Maple Leafs defeated Philadelphia, 4-2, on Wednesday.
Displaying a new Philadelphia-themed mask, Bryzgalov, who signed a nine-year, $51 million contract in June, received a loud ovation from a sparse crowd when introduced. But he was a bit shaky, as Mikus, pinching in from the point, beat him top shelf with a wristshot at 15:54 of the first. And Frattin whacked a rolling puck past him from 20 feet out at 14:31 of the second, as the two teams completed a two-day, home-and-home, preseason split.
Ben Scrivens and Jonas Gustavsson combined for 21 saves and Colby Armstrong had two assists as the Maple Leafs (2-1) concluded a stretch of three games in three days. Colborne and Frattin added insurance goals in the third. The latter was an empty netter.
Tomas Hyka and Erik Gustafsson scored for Philadelphia (1-1). Bryzgalov finished with 21 saves.
