Flyers storm past 'Canes

Flyers rookie right winger David Laliberte got into the spirit of Halloween yesterday at the Wachovia Center.

He came disguised as Danny Briere.

Playing in his first NHL game, Laliberte scored on his second shift, lifting a rebound into the net to help the Flyers defeat the Carolina Hurricanes, 6-1, in front of an announced crowd of 19,076.

Laliberte, 23, promoted from the AHL's Adirondack Phantoms to replace the injured Briere, added a second-period assist.

"It's unbelievable. I couldn't sleep last night. I was too excited about this game," said Laliberte, whose mother, father, sister, and girlfriend drove to the game from Montreal. "It's a dream come true. I just worked hard, and the puck came to my stick and when it went in, it was such an unbelievable feeling."

Coach John Stevens praised Laliberte's perseverance through the years.

"He spent some time in the [ECHL], worked his way into the American League, and has gotten better and better," Stevens said. "He really moved himself up the depth chart."

"I had a long road, but I'm pretty proud about my evolution, and I'm just going to keep working and try to get better," Laliberte said.

Braydon Coburn, who had been scuffling and was moved to the third defensive pairing, scored two third-period goals for the Flyers, who are 5-0-2 against the 'Canes in their last seven meetings.

"It's something to build on," Coburn said after the first two-goal game of his career.

"We've been getting a lot of chances, but had been kind of snakebitten around the net, so it's nice to finally pop a few in there," said James van Riemsdyk, who contributed a goal and an assist - and, along with defenseman Matt Carle, is making a bid to become a member of the U.S. Olympic team.

Carle continued his impressive start, collecting a goal and two assists.

The Flyers took control with three first-period goals against backup goalie Michael Leighton, who was shaky in his first start of the season.

Scott Hartnell (three points) redirected Chris Pronger's point drive past Leighton for a power-play goal. Laliberte scored from the side of the net on a rebound, and Carle deposited a wraparound goal just as a Carolina penalty expired to put the Flyers ahead, 3-0.

Carle notched his 100th NHL point in the game.

Laliberte, who scored 28 goals for the Phantoms last season, figures to play again tomorrow against Tampa Bay because Briere, who has a groin strain, is doubtful.

After Laliberte scored, teammate Ian Laperriere gave him the puck as a keepsake.

"I was in good position, and the puck just came to my stick," Laliberte said. "I didn't have the chance to think. It was just instinct to shoot."

The 6-foot-1, 194-pound Laliberte became the 20th Flyer to score in his NHL debut - and the first since Mike Richards in 2005. Laliberte is the first Flyer with multiple points in his NHL debut since Justin Williams in 2000.

Goalie Ray Emery made 39 saves in the fight-filled game, continuing his dominance over Carolina.

After Carolina's Brandon Sutter and van Riemsdyk traded second-period goals, Emery protected a 4-1 lead by stopping Chad LaRose on a breakaway and on his own rebound. Emery has allowed just one goal in four career games against Carolina.

Breakaways. The Flyers said they hoped to decide today what course winger Simon Gagne will take to repair his two hernias. . . . Defenseman Ryan Parent did not play in the third period because he apparently aggravated a strained groin. . . . Briere underwent a treatment called platelet-rich plasma therapy, which has been used on Gagne in the past. In the procedure, blood is drawn from one part of the body and injected into the damaged area. . . . Center Blair Betts returned to the lineup and won 13 of 18 face-offs; the Flyers are 4-0 when he plays, 2-4-1 when he doesn't. . . . Tomorrow's game has been moved to 5 p.m. so fans can watch or attend the World Series game across the street. During a Phillies pep rally at the Wachovia Center before the Flyers game, fans will receive Phillies/Flyers rally towels. . . . Former Flyer Rod Brind'Amour was minus-4 for Carolina.