After a two week hiatus due to the Olympic Break, the Fly-By is back and the Flyers were, well, flying out of the gate with a 7-2 dismantling of the Tampa Bay Lightning last night.
Even with the season starting up again and the 2010 Olympics basically finished, I want to take one final look at what I believe to be the best international hockey tournament of my lifetime.
First off, hats off to both Canada and the United States. The Canadiens finally played up to their potential and despite struggling in a few games such as the Swiss game, but that is more of a testiment to how good the rest of the world has become. All of the teams outside of Belarus, Latvia and Norway proved to be competitive and play close games and even Norway played tough at times.
The Olympics saw amazing play from an underdog U.S. team. It allowed me to recognize how good Ryan Miller actually was and, despite playing for rival teams, I managed to gain a boatload of respect for players such as Zach Parise and Brooks Orpik. I never remember being so proud about a USA hockey team and the silver medal, despite coming up short in the championship against Canada, was a fantastic accomplishment.
The tournament also saw other breakthrough athletes. Alex Ovechkin showed the entire world yet again why he's the best player in the world, his huge hit on Jaromir Jagr sent shockwaves across Europe. Speaking of Jagr, NHL fans like me got their first sighting of him since his exodus to the KHL, as well as other stars from the Russian League.
We were also treated to some unknown but rather talented players, such as the goalie Minsk from Belaurs, MArtin Pluss of Swisterland, and the guy with the greatest name and only hat trick of the tournament, Tore Vikingstad of Norway.
The Olympics brought a special something this year, the atmosphere of the Canadien fans combined with the deep talent pool provided for an amazing 30+ game tournament. But now, it's back to reality and the final 20 game or so stretch of the NHL season.
Thumbs Up This Week
1. Ryan Miller- The Olympic tournament's MVP was phenomenal and the biggest reason as to why the USA got to the gold medal game, he has proven to be among the elite goaltenders in the NHL and world.
2. Flyers Medalists- Mike Richards an Chris Prnger were both serviceable at worse and took home a gold medal for Canada. Richards in particular playe with grit and determination on a team filled with superstars. Kimmo Timonen won broze with Finland, though his performance in the semifinal against the USA was less than spirited.
3. Zach Parise- When this guy scored a goal with 20 seconds left to tie the gold medal game, he took a huge step into the worl's elite players. He proved his clutch ability and played with fire and passion that I had never seen from him before, MAjors thumbs up to him.
Thumbs Down This Week
1. Ray Emery- It looks like Emery's days as a Flyer might be finished for good, as he is out for the season with hip surgery. It is now Michael Leighton and Brian Boucher's job to guide this team to the playoffs barring a trade today. Yikes.
2. Sidney Crosby- Yeah yeah, he scored the game-winning goal on Sunday, but it was cheap and a save Miller should have made. Crosby in general has been a cheap player his entire career and cannot match the talent level or heart that players such as Ovehckin have.
3. Alex Ovechkin- Speaking of Ovechkin, where was he in the quarterfinals against Canada? Ovechkin seemed to fall off the map as Russia completly crumbled in an elimination game, thumbs down to Ovie for not performing in the clutch.
My Flyers Picks This Week
It's back to business in the NHL this week as the Flyers play four games this week with the schedule picking up full force after the Olympics. The Flyers are on a five game winning streak and it has to end soon enough. They will extend their win streak to six against the Panthers before falling to the Sabres and Miller on Friday. They will continue their winning ways against the Leafs and Islanders, two sturggling teams.
Last Week 1-2
Season 20-16
Wed. at Florida WIN
Fri. at Buffalo LOSS
Sun. vs Toronto WIN
Tues. vs NY Islanders WIN
It's Happy Time!!!
Happy 26th Birthday Alexander Semin- The Washington Capitals forward star turns 26 today. He majorly flopped in the Olympics, but is still one of the premier players on a Capital teams that is tops in the NHL right now.
Happy 42nd Anniversary Jean Beliveau- On this day in 1968 Beliveau became the first player in NHL history to eclipse the 1,000 point mark. That mark has been passe by numerous players since but was first set by Jean, who was quite possilby the best player on the dynasty Canadien teams from the late 1950's.
Happy Trails Ray Emery- Emery's season has ended with hip surgery undergone today, with his return to any team let alone the Flyers unknown. It's a shame for a guy trying to make an NHL comeback to fall flat.
Around the NHL
Atlantic- The Trade Chronicles Part One: The Pittsburgh Penguins have just traded Martin Skoula and Luka Caputi to Toronto for Alex Ponikarvosky. This is a huge advantage for a Pittsburgh team that also aquired Jordan Leopold from Florida over the weekend.
Northeast- Last night, before the Buffalo-Pittsburgh game, the Olmypic athletes were introduced and the biggest ovation given by the Pittsburgh crowd was actually for Buffalo's Ryan Miller. This shows the national pride in the fans as well as the appreciation for such a great goalie, kudos to Penguins fans.
Southeast- The Atlanta Thrashers managed to pass 48-year-old Chris Chelios through waivers, meaning he can be called up to the Thrashers if needed the last month of the season. Chelios has spent the whole season with the AHL Chicago Wolves and at this point is looking to be more like a Gordie Howe without talent than anything.
Central- The Trade Chronicles Part Two: The St. Louis Blues traded goalie Hannu Toivenen and Danny Richmond to Chicago for fellow goalie Joe Fallon. Nothing major league about this trade and no true advantages for the remainder of 2010, as none of these players will have a late season impact.
Northwest- The Trae Chronicles Part Three: The Edmonton Oilers traded DEnis Grebeshkov to Nashville for a second round pick. Another not major trade, but the Oilers could come out with the advantage with a well-used second round pick. Again, a lot hinges on its future use.
Pacific- The Trade Chronicles Part Four: The Anaheim Ducks dealt Evgeny Artyukhim to Atlanta for a conditional pick and Nathan Oystrick, again no real advantage, maybe slightly to the Ducks with Oystrick, but nothing game changing.
What to Watch This Week
Wednesday- Washington at Buffalo 7:00 Versus
Thursday- Montreal at San Jose 10:30 Hockey Night on Yahoo
Friday- Vancouver at Chicago 8:30 CSN Chicago
Saturday- Montreal at Los Angeles 10:00 CBC
Sunday- Vancouver at Nashville 3:00 RSN Pacific
Monday- Dallas at Washington 7:00 Versus
Tuesday- Vancouver at Colorado 9:00 Hockey Night on Yahoo
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