Flyers scratch Jaroslav Modry for Game 1
Defenceman will travel to Czech Republic Saturday for father's burial
Last Updated: Thursday, April 24, 2008 | 5:24 PM ET
CBC Sports
The Philadelphia Flyers will be without regular defenceman Jaroslav Modry Thursday night when they open their NHL Eastern Conference semifinal series in Montreal.
Modry will travel to the Czech Republic on Saturday for the burial of his father, Jaroslav Modry Sr., who died last week following a seven-month battle with colon cancer.
"The arrangements were set," Flyers coach John Stevens said of Modry. "We're going to make sure he has enough time to get back and take the time that he needs.
"He'll have plenty of time to pay his respects, and then take whatever time he needs to rejoin the team."
Montreal won Game 7 of its conference quarter-final over Boston on Monday night, while the Flyers finished off the Capitals on Tuesday.
After learning of his father's death, Modry tried to continue playing, but he was replaced by Lasse Kukkonen at the end of Philadelphia's Tuesday's triumph over Washington.
Meanwhile, Canadiens captain Saku Koivu and forward Alex Kovalev did not take part in the team skate Thursday morning, but coach Guy Carbonneau said both will play.
With files from the Canadian Press
