Flyers Notes: Laperriere likely to play tonight

The Flyers' already long injury list grew when right winger Ian Laperriere and center Jared Ross suffered first-period injuries in the 4-2 loss to Buffalo yesterday.

Laperriere was administered between 50 and 100 stitches - the doctor said he lost count - and lost four teeth when he blocked Jason Pominville's point drive with his mouth late in the period.

After being stitched up by team oral surgeon Guy Lanzi, Laperriere wore a protective shield and face mask when he returned to the ice with 16 minutes, 40 seconds remaining in the third period and played four more shifts.

He is expected to play tonight in Atlanta.

Ross injured his head when he was sent heavily into the boards by Patrick Kaleta midway through the opening period. Kaleta was given a five-minute boarding penalty and a game misconduct, and could face a suspension.

Ross did not return to the lineup - general manager Paul Holmgren said he was feeling better after the game - and was doubtful for tonight.

After the game, the Flyers recalled center Jon Kalinski from the AHL's Adirondack Phantoms.

The Flyers were already missing Simon Gagne, Darroll Powe, and Blair Betts because of injuries.

Buffalo coach Lindy Ruff took some verbal shots at the Flyers' Danny Briere, whom he used to coach with the Sabres.

Briere was suspended for two games for a blind-side hit on Colorado's Scott Hannan on Monday.

"Danny flirts with the edge all the time," Ruff told the Buffalo News, adding that he took a double-minor in Philadelphia on Nov. 14 for high-sticking the Sabres' Chris Butler.

"Danny's had a lot of those," Ruff said.

Defenseman Danny Syvret cleared waivers and was sent to the Phantoms. In 13 games with the Flyers, Syvret had two assists and was minus-3.

Oskars Bartulis has replaced Syvret in the lineup, and Ole-Kristian Tollefsen is the club's seventh defensemen.

- Sam Carchidi