Philadelphia Flyers goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov is forced to alter his brand new Star Wars mask by Lucasfilm Ltd, creators of the legendary movie series. Photos of Bryzgalov’s Star Wars mask were popping up everywhere from Instagram to Twitter before word got out to Lucasfilm.
The mask contained a picture of Yoda bearing a red lightsaber, rather than his usual green one. According to Enrico Campitelli of the 700 Level , Lucasfilm contacted the Flyers asking that Bryzgalov change the color of Yoda’s lightsaber and skin, which had more of an orange tint. Franny Drummond designed the mask for Bryzgalov and spoke with Enrico Campitelli about the incident.
“We didn’t realize we’d be offending anyone,” Drummond told Campitelli. “Yoda’s lightsaber was actually an orange-ish color before we changed it. We were going for a hint of the Flyers colors in Yoda as well. There were no bad intentions. It was just a matching thing.”
Ilya Bryzgalov had the opportunity to wear the mask as is in one game, against the Capitals this past Wednesday. It didn’t take long for Drummond to make the necessary changes, as Bryzgalov sported the new green version on Saturday against the Ottawa Senators. The Flyers won the game 2-1; Bryzgalov made 33 saves and was awarded the number one star.
The Flyers have been playing much better of late after a poor start to the shortened season, winning five of their last seven games. Bryzgalov’s new mask may just have given him the extra boost he needs between the pipes for a team that has not played up to expectations.
At 11-11-1, the Flyers have been led by Captain Claude Giroux and Jakub Voracek, who leads the team with 25 points. Wayne Simmonds has also been hot to start the season, with 17 points and 46 penalty minutes.
The Flyers are going to need to play some of their best hockey this week, with match-ups against three of the best teams in the NHL . They take on the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden Tuesday night before taking on Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins Thursday. Bryzgalov and the Flyers will travel to Boston Saturday to take on the Bruins.