Flyers buying in to Berube's hard-nosed coaching style
New Flyers coach Craig Berube is not afraid to call his players out in the media after a poor performance, as he did last Wednesday following a loss to the Lightning.
Maybe that's the kind of approach Philadelphia needs. The Flyers are 11-9-2 since Berube took over from Peter Laviolette and 8-2-1 in their last 11 contests after defeating Nashville 3-2 in a shootout Saturday.
If #Flyers can win in Minnesota Mon., they will climb above .500 for first time this year. Quite a feat after a franchise-worst 1-7 start.
— Sam Carchidi (@BroadStBull) December 1, 2013
Philadelphia players are quick to praise Berube's attitude as a reason for their turnaround.
"He's not going to beat around the bush," Zac Rinaldo told the Philadelphia Inquirer. "If you're doing something he's not comfortable with, he'll tell you straight up. And for me, I learn quicker that way."
Berube called out his top line of Claude Giroux, Scott Hartnell and Jakub Voracek following Wednesday's 4-2 loss, saying they "didn't do a good enough job." Giroux responded Saturday with his fourth goal of the season.
Berube made defenseman Luke Schenn a healthy scratch early in November. Schenn is plus-4 since returning to the lineup, with 38 hits and 13 blocked shots in his last 11 games.
Berube's coaching style reflects his playing days, when he recorded 3,149 penalty minutes in 1,054 career NHL contests while totaling just 159 points.
"Chief is full of piss and vinegar and I love it," Rinaldo said. "He was an aggressive player, a tough player, and a tough coach ... I think that's what some guys needed."