What a disgusting four days to be a Flyer fan. We played 11 of bad periods out of a possible 12 and our win we got bailed out by goalie Brian Boucher for the first two minutes before scoring three goals in the third period to win.
Really, there's no excuses for how team team is playing. I finally got to see their play on Saturday in-person at the Devils-Flyers game, which I attended. I will give props to the New Jersey organization for many reasons. First of all, they played perfect hockey on Saturday and made Philly looked stupid. Props to their fans, I was bombarded with jeers all night long, but they came out in full support unlike other teams and really brought the home ice advantage. Third, props for having $10 (here that Flyers???) seats to buy on game day. It makes NHL games affordable and at the nicest arena I've ever been to.
As far as the acutal play this week, we sucked. We were outplayed every game, even in the win in Boston, and I can say from seeing them play in person that they suck. It's not that they don't have talent, they do and have exhibited that in previous years. This is more fo a case of a lack of heart. I don't think I've ever seen a Flyer team hit less than they did Saturday. They were flatfooted, lazy, and looked like they just lain didn't care. This goes for all 20 guys on that team. New Jersey moved the puck in circles around the defense and for some reason, it has become a good strategy to play dump and chase into the offensive zone against the best puckhandling goalie in the league, Martin Brodeur. Don't ask me how that makes sense, I don't know.
Last night was the game that really put me over the edge, as the Fly guys were humiliated by Pittsburgh 6-1. Down 1-0 in the first, the fighting trio of Dan Carcillo, Arron Asham, and Riley Cote all scrapped back-to-back-to-back. Too bad it didn't help motivate this team.
In any case, the fingers hav to be pointed somewhere. I think it's becoming clear that it may not have been John Stevens' fault that this team lacks heart (though it doesn't reset the fact that he was fired). You can't blame current coach Peter Laviolette for inheriting a team of overpaid egos. You can point the finger at GM Paul Holmgren, sure, but not entirely. When many of these players came here, they played with passion and pride, playign through the final buzzer. Where did all of that go?
Each player on this team has to dig deep and step up. I don't care that the starting goalei is out until next month, I don't care if your seventh defenseman is injured, it doesn't matter. You have to win games and this team can't do that outside the occasional surprise once a week or so. This is a team needing leadership and right now everyone appears to be hiding in a corner. Message to captain Mike Richards: Your the leader of this team, step up and show some balls. It's time to get back on track before it's too late.
My Flyers Picks this week
Last Week: 2-2
Season: 5-3
Things can't get any worse, right? Well, hold that thought. The Penguins come to town for the back end of a home and home set tomorrow and after Tuesday's performance, that crowd will be jeering the home team at the first sign of problems. This week is a three game homestand, the final one before Disney on Ice arrives at Wachovia and boots the Flyeers and Sixers out for a couple weeks. This makes this week critical for the Flyers and they need to take at least two of three to be somewhat satisfied. Will they do it?
Short Answer: No
A blouwout loss and upset fans tomorrow against Sidney, Evgeni, and company. This will eb followed by a frustratingly tough loss against a Ranger team that is underachieving just as badly as the Flyers on Saturday. Next Monday, the homestand ends against Florida, the Flyers will take them down.
Thurs. vs Pittsburgh LOSS
Sat. vs NY Rangers LOSS
Mon. vs Florida WIN
Around the NHL
Atlantic- More observations on my visit to Prudential Center on Saturday. The fans, though boisterous and loud, didn't start problems, unlike games I've been to at home in Philly and Long Island. Props to the Devils fans for keeping their tempers and rooting the team on responsibly. They were able to make people feel unwanted their without resorting to physical violence or veyr personal verbal abuse. Kudos there and despite the game result, I had a good time and will look to go back during the Flyers final visit there in February.
Northeast- Big, hard hit for the Senators today, as they learned they will lose Jason Spezza for 6-8 weeks a torn MCL. This is very bad for an Ottawa club who offensively, looked weak last week against the Flyers. Losing a big-name scorer could definitly put them at a disadvantage going down the road.
Southeast- Florida comes to town on Monday and has been better than I expected, especially after losing big-name defenseman Jay Bowmeester in the offseason. They are a team that depends on defense to win games and have an All-Star caliber goalie in Tomas Vokoun. Right now, the Panthers are sitting on the cusp of the playoffs (as they are every year).
Central- What's going on in Detroit. It looks like the Red Wings are being eclipsed in the Central Division, as the power is shifting quickly over to the dynastic-looking Chicago Blackhawks. A team that usually leads their conference, the Red Wings are currently 8th in the conference, just a point ahead of Dallas for the final playoff spot in the West. A normally consistent regular season team is facing holes for the first time in a long while.
Northwest- Speaking of surprises, how about the Avalanche. They looked to have returned from the dead and are second in the Western Conference to the Los Angeles Kings (what kind of hockey universe is this?!?!) Alas, don't jump the bullet on thsi team yet, as the Washingto ncapitals lit them up last night in Denver.
Pacfic- The team nobody wants, aka the Phoenix Coyotes, are still up for sale by the NHL, who currently owns them. Commishoner Gary Bettman adressed the owners, saying the league is looking to deal the team to a group called Ice Edge for $140 million. Part of this deal, however, would be that Ice Edge wants the Coyotes to play five game in Saskatoon next year. I like the idea, but Bettman isn't exactly thrilled. Stay tuned on this story.
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