Sykora gets goal, assist in Flyers` victory

It`s been a frustrating year for Philadelphia defenseman Michal Sykora, and a great one for Roman Cechmanek.

The two Czech natives keyed Philadelphia`s 3-0 victory over Minnesota on Thursday night. Sykora had a goal and assist and Cechmanek recorded his league-leading ninth shutout.

"The only thing I can do is get ready for the game and play the game," said Sykora, who was signed as a free agent by the Flyers in the offseason.

It was only the second two-point game of the year for Sykora, who has played in just 40 games this season and has been a healthy scratch in four of the last six games.

"It`s very frustrating," said Sykora, who has played for three other teams during his seven-year NHL career. "I can`t worry about the things that come. It`s not my call. All I can do is do the best I can at the moment and not worry about the stuff that comes later."

Cechmanek, who is in his first NHL season, was forced to save only 15 shots, including three in the second period.

"They had a tough game last night. I didn`t have a lot of shots," he said. "I like when we win, not whether I get a shutout or not."

Cechmanek, the outstanding goaltender in the Czech Republic the past six years, has started all 21 home games since Bill Barber was hired as coach of the Flyers and has a 16-3-2 record in those games.

"He has done a great job for us and I am happy for him," Barber said. "It is his ninth of the year, that`s great for a rookie goaltender. You need the big saves and he made the saves that were necessary."

Sykora, who played in the same Czech Republic league as Cechmanek for two years, is not surprised by the goaltender`s performance.

"This is the way I know him from playing back home," said Sykora. "I kept telling you all year he`s a good goalie. He`s having a great year. He has a lot of confidence and that comes from playing."

Rick Tocchet and Dean McAmmond scored power-play goals for the Flyers, who moved within three points of first-place New Jersey in the Atlantic Division.

Tocchet put Philadelphia ahead 1-0 late in the first period. Minnesota`s Filip Kuba coughed up the puck in the slot and Tocchet wristed it past goaltender Manny Fernandez.

Sykora made it 2-0 midway in the second period when his slap shot from just inside the red line skittered off Fernandez`s glove. Cechmanek got an assist on the play for his first NHL point.

Fernandez left with a sprained ankle with 5:55 to go in the second period when he was clipped by the skate of Philadelphia`s Jody Hull, who was given a minor tripping penalty.

Jamie McLennan replaced Fernandez and allowed one goal on 14 shots.

"We didn`t play well," said Minnesota coach Jacques Lemaire. "Philadelphia`s coach has done a good job to get those guys to regroup. It`s been a long time since I`ve seen them play as disciplined as they are now."

McAmmond, obtained from Chicago just before Tuesday`s trade deadline, scored with 54 seconds left in the second period, deflecting a shot by Sykora past McLennan.

Game notes:
Defenseman Mark Howe, who played from 1982-1992 for Philadelphia, became the 17th player inducted into the Flyers Hall of Fame in pregame ceremonies. ... Minnesota, which entered the game last in the NHL on the power play, was blanked in three attempts. ... The Wild allowed a season-low 15 shots to St. Louis in a 1-0 overtime loss on Wednesday, but surrendered 13 shots to the Flyers in the first period alone. ... Philadelphia`s Mark Recchi extended his scoring streak to nine games (16 points), but Keith Primeau`s streak ended at eight games (16 points). ... Minnesota has scored the fewest goals (150) in the league.

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Author: 6 ABC - Action News (AP)