Boucher saved his best for now

Monday, April 24th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

They grew up together sharing a dream. Two kids riding their bikes together through the streets of Woonsocket, dreaming of the day they would be playing in the National Hockey League.

For most kids, those type of thoughts would never become anything more than dreams, but for Bryan Berard and Brian Boucher there was always a sense of reality. From the time they were pre-teens it was obvious they both had special talents on the ice. Berard was the defenseman who could score better than most forwards, Boucher the goalie who made life miserable for the opposition.

The transition from a kid with a dream to an NHL star went smoothly for Berard. He went from a pee-wee star to a high school All-Stater to NHL Rookie of the Year without missing a beat. Boucher, on the other hand, always seemed to be lost in his friend's shadow. Berard was a first-team All-Stater in his sophomore and junior years at Mount St. Charles while Boucher was second-team All-Division. They both left Mount after their junior years to play Junior hockey. Berard went right to the Major Junior ranks, but Boucher had to work his way through the ranks.

Boucher showed enough promise to become a first-round choice in the 1995 NHL entry draft, the 22nd overall selection. Most times, that would be big news for a kid from Rhode Island, but even on one of the most exciting days of his hockey career he was lost in his friend's shadows. Berard was the No. 1 selection that year.

Two years later Berard was the NHL Rookie Year and appeared on his way to becoming a sure-fire NHL star. Boucher, meanwhile, was encountering a few bumps along his road to the NHL. He spent a few years in the minor leagues, experiencing the high and low points that come with that. But he never gave up working toward his goal of playing in the NHL, and eventually his talent took him to the big time.

A few months ago, the childhood dreams of the two friends became reality. The two kids who grew up riding their bikes to each other's homes. The kids who played together on the same youth hockey teams almost from the time they were in kindergarten were both playing in the NHL. Berard was starting for the Toronto Maple Leafs and Boucher was quickly becoming the Philadelphia Flyers' top goaltender.

Then fate dealt Berard a cruel blow. In March, he suffered a severe eye injury when he was hit by the stick of the Ottawa Senators's Marion Hossa.

When Boucher heard what had happened he wanted to fly to Canada to be at his friend's bedside.

"Brian (Boucher) is like one of my sons," said Pam Berard, Bryan's mother. "My Bryan was in his wedding party this summer.

"I understand Philadelphia was willing to fly him to Canada because they know how close he and my Bryan are. But my Bryan said 'Brian doesn't need this. He's playing well. It's more important for him to stay with his team.'

"They talk on the phone all the time."

Now Bryan Berard sits in his parent's home in Woonsocket, hoping some day he will be back playing for the Stanley Cup. For the past week, he has been watching his Maple Leaf teammates battle Ottawa in their first round Stanley Cup playoff series, but he's also been watching his friend become the toast of Philadelphia.

Last week, Boucher became the newest Philadelpha sports hero when he back-boned the Flyers to victories in four of their five opening-round games against the Buffalo Sabres. In 304 minutes of playing time, Boucher gave up only eight goals for a 1.58 average.

Some Flyers fans might have been skeptical a few weeks ago when the coaching staff decided to start Boucher in the playoffs rather than veteran John Vanbiesbrouck.

Sure, Boucher had finished the season as the first NHL rookie goaltender in almost 50 years to post a regular season goals-against-average lower than 2.0. In 35 games, while splitting time with Vanbiesbrouck, he posted a 1.91 GAA. His performance led the Flyers to 20 victories and three ties.

But this is playoff time, and the Stanley Cup tournament usually isn't a good time for rookie goaltenders. But Boucher is defying the odds, and the people of Philadelphia love it.

The Flyers fans at First Union Center have even taken a little liberty with his name, holding up signs that read "Bou-saves."

"It's wonderful what's happening to Brian," said Pam Berard. "We're so happy for him. He had some bumps along the road, but you always knew he would be fine. He always had the talent, he just never got the recognition he deserved when he was playing for Mount St. Charles.''

He is now, even if he had to go to Philadelphia to get it.