It’s easy to see why people doubt Danny Briere.
As he stood triumphantly in the Flyers locker room Wednesday, it was hard not to notice his size. At 5-foot-9, he barely towered over his 10-year-old son, Carson. Even Briere had to laugh.
“He’s pretty close to being bigger than me,” the Flyers center said.
When one reporter asked how big his heart was, Briere proudly pointed to his entire chest. Then, quickly added: “There’s a little more left.”
Three more wins and his Flyers could give this city its first Stanley Cup since 1975. If that happens, an argument could be made that Briere deserves the Conn Smythe Trophy, awarded to the MVP of the Stanley Cup playoffs. After adding two more points in Game 3, Briere is now second in points (24) and goals (11). Some might be surprised at that. Not his teammates.
“Not at all,” said Chris Pronger. “He always puts himself in areas where he can score. He’s a feisty guy that plays gritty and goes to those high draft areas where you’re going to score those goals from.”
Part of that feistiness can be seen after he lights the lamp. After his first-period goal on Wednesday, Briere dropped to his knee and pumped his fist in celebration, something he’s been doing since he was 15.
“I heard a lot of people saying that when you score you should act like it’s not a big deal, like you’ve been there before,” Briere said. “For me, I celebrate like it’s my last one. It’s one of the best feelings in the world.”
