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Bryzgalov, Flyers blank Caps

Mar 5, 2012 - 4:45 AM Washington, DC (Sports Network) - Ilya Bryzgalov made 34 saves to earn his third shutout of the season as the Philadelphia Flyers edged the Washington Capitals, 1-0, at Verizon Center.

Eric Wellwood netted the lone goal of the contest for Philadelphia, which won for the fifth time in eight games.

"I think it was an outstanding team effort," said Bryzgalov. "You could see guys sacrificing themselves, blocking shots, bottling in front of the net and around the boards. They did everything the coach asked of them."

Michal Neuvirth stopped 22-of-23 shots in the Capitals' second straight loss on the heels of a three-game win streak.

Bryzgalov made 12 saves and Neuvirth stopped eight shots in a scoreless first period before the Flyers broke through in the second.

Wellwood's goal, his second of the year, came at the 7:51 mark of the middle frame when Pavel Kubina sent a hard pass from the right point down to the slot, where Wellwood redirected the disc past the stick side of Neuvirth.

The tally marked the first time in 10 games that the Flyers recorded the first goal in a contest.

The game's sole power play also came in the second period when Washington's Jason Chimera was whistled for slashing, but the Flyers could not convert and carried a 1-0 advantage into the third period.

Bryzgalov blocked all 10 shots he faced in the second period and stopped 12 in the final stanza to record his 26th career shutout.

"Usually when you limit a team to one goal you should win the game," Capitals defenseman Karl Alzner said. "We all have got to chip in a little bit more. Everybody is in a bit of a drought."

Game Notes

Matt Carle had the secondary assist on Wellwood's marker...Neuvirth made nine saves in the third period...Prior to the game, it was announced Flyers defensmen Kimmo Timonen and Andrej Meszaros will be out indefinitely with lower body injuries.