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PHILADELPHIA -- Danny Briere had two chances to celebrate his overtime winner. Wes Welker Womens Jersey. The first time, his goal didnt count. The second time, Briere left no doubt and put away Game 1, once and for all. Briere continued to stamp his name alongside Philadelphias post-season greats, scoring the winning goal 4:36 into overtime, leading the Flyers to a 4-3 win over the New Jersey Devils on Sunday to open this Eastern Conference semifinal series. "He has his ups and downs, but he just picks it up in the playoffs. And thats what matters," Flyers coach Peter Laviolette said. "Hes a guy who consistently gets it done." Indeed, no Flyer is as clutch in the post-season as Briere. His second attempt at the winner counted minutes after his earlier goal was overturned on review because he kicked the puck into the net. But he wasted no time making up for it, firing a slapper past Martin Brodeur for his seventh goal of the playoffs. Brodeur was screened in front by Philadelphia forward James van Riemsdyk. "When you look at the replay, its kind of obvious," Briere said of the reversal. "But I needed to stop pouting and get back my focus in overtime. I ended up getting a break." In doing so, Briere, who also scored in the second period, now has 106 points in 104 career post-season games. "Is it pressure? I think its fun," he said of playoff hockey. "When I have the opportunity, like Ive had the past few years here, I try to take advantage of the opportunities." Game 2 is Tuesday. The Flyers took the series lead in their first game in a week after eliminating Pittsburgh in Game 6 last Sunday. The weary Devils, meanwhile, played their third consecutive overtime game after defeating Florida in Games 6 and 7 to win their first-round series. "I thought we played real well in the first," New Jersey coach Peter DeBoer said. "We just couldnt keep it up." The Flyers put a slow start well behind them in the third and completely set the pace. They used a tremendous forecheck to stave off the Devils and played with more life in their skates than a worn-down Devils team that had only a three-day break. And then, theres Flyers forward Claude Giroux. The post-seasons leading scorer got himself into the series, as well, in the third period. Giroux, in fact, wound from the circle and fired the puck high over Brodeurs right shoulder for a power-play goal and a 3-2 lead. It was Girouxs seventh goal of the post-season, perhaps living up to Laviolettes bold claim as, "the best in the world." Veteran forward Petr Sykora wiped out the lead, though, when he raced past two defenders off a turnover and slipped the puck through Ilya Bryzgalovs pads for a soft goal to make it 3-3. It was his first playoff goal since 2008. But Briere was the difference in overtime. "I think," Laviolette said, "everyone expects it from him now." After finishing fifth in the East, the Flyers stormed to a 3-0 lead against the Pittsburgh Penguins in the first round and held on to eliminate their state rival in six games. That series was viewed as one more worthy of a conference final because of the talent and the 100-plus point totals for each club. The Devils, the No. 6 seed, topped 100 points, as well, and were out to prove themselves worthy of Round 2. And in the first period, they did so. Of course, the Flyers helped, as they carried over their trend of falling behind from the opening a round and showed again they are at their best when playing with a deficit. "Nobody liked the first period. The players didnt like it. I didnt like it. No one liked it," Laviolette said. "So, it was good to get through the first period, only down 1-0. And then for me, it started in the second period. We had the fire it took to be successful." Jakub Voracek made a nice pass from along the boards to Briere and he busted free alone on the open ice for the breakaway goal in the second. Van Riemsdyk knocked in a rebound and gave the Flyers a 2-1 edge only 37 seconds later. Van Riemsdyk stamped himself as a franchise cornerstone last post-season when he scored seven goals in only 11 post-season games and earned a $25.5 million, six-year contract extension. But he scored only 11 goals in 43 games in a season derailed by a broken left foot and a concussion. But van Riemsdyk came to play in Game 1, perhaps spurred on by playing his homestate team. He is, after all, a Middletown, N.J., native. And he was key on the winner as well, as he stood tall directly in front of a prone Brodeur as the winner trickled by. "Van Riemsdyk definitely pushed my stick over when he came across," Brodeur said. "He didnt do it on purpose. He was just going in front of the net. I got my position there, but it prevented me from making the save." There was no way that goal was getting a second look by the officials. "They wouldnt do that twice in Philly," Brodeur said. "Thats for sure." Flyers fans who have suffered through decades of goaltending woes took great delight in chanting "Mar-ty! Mar-ty!" at the three-time Stanley Cup champion. Brodeur has faced the Flyers four other times in the post-season, winning two. Travis Zajac, who scored an overtime winner vs. Florida in Game 6, as well, poked one past Bryzgalov for a power-play goal late in the second to tie the game. This all came from a Devils team that won a 3-2 double-overtime Game 7 thriller against Southeast Division-champion Florida on Thursday. But the Flyers started the way they did the previous two series vs. New Jersey: By winning Game 1. They eventually won those series in 2004 and 2010, reaching the Stanley Cup finals in the latter. In fact, in three of the previous series between these two rivals -- separated by just 87 miles -- the winner reached the finals, with the Devils winning the Cup in 1995 and 2000. Opposing Brodeur was Bryzgalov, who had two shutouts and won all three starts vs. the Devils in the regular season. He allowed one goal on 76 shots. So much for the regular season. The Devils never stopped shooting on the rattled veteran in the first period. They took the first 11 shots before the Flyers finally lobbed the puck from the blue line toward Brodeur. The Devils are now 2-3 on the road in the post-season and this was their first loss in overtime. "If we came in and lost 6-0, maybe wed talk about adjustments," said Devils captain Zach Parise, who opened the scoring at 3:11 of the first off a feed from Patrik Elias. "We were right there. We had just as good a chance to win the game as they did." Notes: Brodeur will celebrate his 40th birthday next Sunday when the teams play Game 4 of their series in New Jersey. ... Philadelphia is now 4-1 at home this post-season. ... Zajac leads the Devils with four post-season goals. Vince Wilfork Jersey. The good news is he should be back in time for the playoffs. Harden passed the NBA-mandated tests required for him to return from the concussion he suffered when the Lakers Metta World Peace elbowed him in the back of the head, but the Thunder held him out of Wednesday nights regular-season finale against the Denver Nuggets. Aaron Hernandez Jersey. "Ive loved being the head coach at Tennessee for 38 years, but I recognize that the time has come to move into the future and to step into a new role," the 59-year-old Hall of Famer said Wednesday in a statement issued by the school. http://www.thepatriotsshop.com/rob-gronkowski-jerseys. -- The Metrodome always felt like a rental property for Zygi and Mark Wilf, two New Jersey real estate developers who purchased the Minnesota Vikings in 2005 with the hopes of moving out of the place as quickly as possible. Vince Wilfork Womens Jersey. NBA executive vice-president Stu Jackson issued the decision Saturday. Vogel called Miami the "biggest flopping team in the NBA" and told reporters that it would be "interesting" to see how much flopping the officials reward. Tom Brady Womens Jersey. Vanguard Integrity Professionals is suing Gordon in U.S. District Court in California over the sponsorship of Team Gordon in the Dakar Rally and is asking for US$1.15 million back from the driver. The company went public with the dispute Wednesday because it wants Gordon to immediately cease using its logos in his NASCAR ventures, and claims the driver was only authorized to promote Vanguard outside the United States.ATLANTA -- Talk about a tough playoff opener for the Boston Celtics. One game, possibly two big losses. There was the score, of course, which went in favour of Atlanta. With Josh Smith scoring 22 points and grabbing 18 rebounds, the Hawks built a big lead early and held on for an 83-74 victory in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference playoffs Sunday night. But what happened in the hectic final minute could have a huge impact on Game 2, and possibly the entire series. Boston star Rajon Rondo objected to a foul call on one of his teammates, chest-bumped the official who made it, and was quickly sent to the locker room. Now, all the Celtics can do is nervously await the likely wrath of NBA Commissioner David Stern, whos never been too lenient on anyone striking his refs. "I didnt intentionally chest-bump him, but thats what it appears to be," Rondo conceded. The Hawks, who led by as many as 19 in the first half, were clinging to a four-point lead when Rondo lost his cool with 41 seconds remaining. Bostons Brandon Bass was called for a foul on Smith tussling for a loose ball, with both players sprawled on the court out beyond the foul line. Rondo screamed at official Marc Davis, who called a technical. Rondo then bumped Davis with his chest and was ejected without hesitation. "Its out of my control," said Rondo, who up to that point had been a huge bright spot for the Celtics with 20 points and 11 assists. "Obviously, I want to be there for my teammates, but other than that, its out of my control." Lobbying for leniency, Celtics coach Doc Rivers said he doesnt think Rondo deserves a suspension. "Im always worried, but I would be surprised if that happens," Rivers said. "I thought Rondo was walking toward Marc, and Marc turned back toward him, and thats when Rondo bumped him. ... Thats all it was, in my opinion. But well see." Rondo had a similar take. "Obviously I was upset about the call and I said some words to Marc. I deserved the first tech," Rondo said. "As I was walking, I thought he stopped. My momentum carried me into him. I even think I tripped on his foot." At the beginning, the Hawks looked much quicker and faster than the aging Celtics. With every starter outside of Jason Collins contributing at least four points, Atlanta raced to a 20-6 lead with the game just over 5 minutes old. The Hawks twice pushed the margin as high as 19 points and settled for a 49-35 edge at halftime. Smith totally outplayed Bostons Kevin Garnett over the first two quarters, going into the break with 15 points, 11 rebounds and two assists. Aaron Hernandez Womens Jersey Garnett had only two points on 1-of-9 shooting. "He was an animal," Atlanta coach Larry Drew said of Smith. "When hes playing with that energy, he just makes us so much better." Smith had to carry the load. The Hawks other big gun, Joe Johnson, had a miserable night with 11 points on 3-of-15 shooting, committing more turnovers (four) than he made field goals. He was 0 of 9 from 3-point range. The Hawks got sloppy with the ball and made only 19-of-54 shots after their blistering performance in the opening quarter. That allowed the Celtics to edge back into the game, and it looked as though they might just pull off the comeback until Rondos big blunder. Smith said he was definitely fouled as he scrambled for the loose ball with Bass. "That was the right call they made," Smith said. "Im not sure what happened with Rondo. That will be up to the league to see what he did wrong. You never know whats going to happen, but well definitely factor him in going to tomorrow." Garnett bounced back to put up 20 points and 11 rebounds. Paul Pierce had only 12 points, going 5 of 19 from the field and missing all six of his 3-point attempts. "For us to win, I have to be a better player," Pierce said. "I was a really big culprit." Both teams were short-handed. Celtics guard Ray Allen missed a playoff game for the first time in his career, watching from the bench in a suit and tie because of an ailing right ankle. He wouldve already had surgery if it was earlier in the year, but the 36-year-old member of Bostons Big Three is hoping to heal in time for possibly his last hurrah in Beantown. The Hawks, meanwhile, started third-stringer Collins at centre. Al Horford missed most of the year with a pectoral injury and has been ruled out for the entire series, and the guy who took his place, rugged Zaza Pachulia, went down late in the regular season with a sprained left foot. Now the big question is: Will Rondo be available for Game 2? "I dont think it was on purpose," Pierce said, "but its up to the league." NOTES: Allen and Pachulia are both listed as day-to-day. ... The Hawks have never beaten Boston in the playoffs since moving to Atlanta in 1968, losing six straight post-season meetings. ... The teams met four times in the finals when the Hawks were based in St. Louis. Boston won three of those series. The Hawks only playoff win over the Celtics was a 4-2 triumph to capture the title in 1958. ' ' '