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No playoffs, so some Flyers at Worlds

The Flyers are not in the playoffs for the first time since 2007, but 10 of their players and prospects will be playing in the IIHF World Championships, which start Saturday.

Philadelphia Flyers' Matt Read, right, and Wayne Simmonds celebrate after Read's goal during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Boston Bruins, Tuesday, April 23, 2013, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Philadelphia Flyers' Matt Read, right, and Wayne Simmonds celebrate after Read's goal during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Boston Bruins, Tuesday, April 23, 2013, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)Read more
    by Sam Carchidi, Inquirer Staff Writer
    Published 

The Flyers are not in the playoffs for the first time since 2007, but 10 of their players and prospects will be playing in the IIHF World Championships, which start Saturday.

In Saturday's first game, Jake Voracek, who led the Flyers with 22 goals this year, will help lead the Czech Republic against Belarus.

Defenseman Erik Gustafsson, who played well in the latter stages of the Flyers' season, will compete for Sweden on Saturday, and prospect Marcel Noebels will play for Germany.

Team Canada has four Flyers: Claude Giroux, Wayne Simmonds, Matt Read and Luke Schenn. Canada plays Sunday against Denmark and defenseman Oliver Lauridsen.

Goalie Ilya Bryzgalov is expected to be the starter for Russia, with Sergei Bobrovsky (irony of ironies) as his understudy. Bobrovsky is a leading candidate for the Vezina Trophy, awarded to the NHL's top goalie.

Cal Heeter, the Phantoms' goalie, will be a backup for Team USA, behind Ben Bishop and John Gibson. It would be surprising if Heeter saw any action.

The tournament is being held in Helsinki and Stockholm.