December 18, 1999
The Flyers 4-0 blanking on home ice of the Tampa Bay Lightning may not conjure up any vivid memories to many Flyers fans. However, for goaltender Brian Boucher, it was a memorable night. This would be his first shutout of his young NHL career.
In the game, defenseman Ulf Samuelsson scored in the first period, followed by John LeClair scoring twice, once in the second and again in the third period. Star Eric Lindros picked up assists on two of those three goals and centerman Marc Bureau scored shorthanded halfway through the third to seal the game.
Ironically, Samuelsson’s goal was his only as a Flyer in 49 regular season games wearing the Orange and Black, and it counted as a game winning goal. Boucher stopped all 29 shots he faced as the Flyers played exceptionally well in front of him, keeping Tampa off the board despite six power-play opportunities.
Nicknamed “Boosh” by his teammates, the Philadelphia crowd would serenade him with long “Boooosh” cheers in approval after saves throughout his career. Boucher is one of many Flyers that the fans have latched onto as a fan favorite in his career for his hard work, determination and giving his all each and every night.
Boucher was a first-round selection, 22nd overall, in the 1995 NHL Draft. He played two seasons for the Philadelphia Phantoms before cracking the lineup in 1999 as the backup to John Vanbiesbrouck.
In his three different stints with the Flyers from 1999-2002, again in 2009-2011 and once more in 2012-13, Boucher played in 179 regular season games recording a 73-68-12 record and a 2.50 GAA, including eight shutouts. In 44 playoff games as a Flyer, Boucher amassed a 21-17 record with an even better 2.36 GAA and two more shutouts. Boucher seemed to get better around playoff time and some of his more memorable moments as a Flyer have happened during the spring.
In the Stanley Cup Playoff run of 2010, he was instrumental in leading the Flyers into the playoffs with a shootout win on the last day of the regular season, defeating the N.Y Rangers. He was playing superbly in those playoffs, first beating the New Jersey Devils and Martin Brodeur in five games and then in the next series against the Boston Bruins. Unfortunately, he injured his left kee in Game Five of the Eastern Conference Semifinals. Once healed, both he and Michael Leighton played from there on out, until falling to the Blackhawks in the Finals.
However, when most Flyers fans think of Brian Boucher and the playoffs, one play stands out above all of them. Some may even tell you where they were when “Boosh” made the save of his career, back in the 2000 Playoffs against the Devils and Patrick Elias.
As Elias came down on a breakaway, he deked to his right slightly then back to his left to his forehand. Brian started to go for a pokecheck of the puck and realized that Elias was out of his reach and moving away from him. As Brian fell back towards the net, he spun 180 degrees, reaching out with his glove hand along the ice and stopped the shot, earmarked for the empty net behind him. It was an unbelievable save that was simply born out of reaction. Thankfully, you can relive that moment below.
Although Boucher played in parts of just six seasons as a Flyer, it is without question one of the 10 best saves in history by any Flyer goalie.
Mike Watson is a contributing writer for Flyerdelphia. Follow him on twitter @Mwats_99
