And the Close Up

Richards Face!

Halloween 2

Halloween!

Little Boy Briere

Playoff Game Night: Let's Head Back to Chicago

I just love going back and remembering the beauty that was Pronger scoring with a second left to win our regular season game against Chicago. It's something I am hoping to replace with an even more amazing goal tonight.

Tonight Lord Stanley's Cup will be in the building. But don't worry, it won't be taken out of the case. The Flyers will not let the city of Philly watch another team lift that Cup at center ice. Pronger, Richards, Carter, and Gags are going to shove the puck down Chicago's throat tonight and really make them worry about the game seven that will be happening on Friday. Tonight our best players will play their best and prove that it wasn't a coincidence that we made it this far. Tonight will be a flat out war on ice, with the Flyers coming out victorious. My prediction: Flyers win 5 to 1. And Pronger will literally kill someone.

LET'S GO FLYERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Playoff Game Night: Stealing One in Chicago

Tonight we will steal a game from the Blackhawks in Chicago! That is all that needs to be said. We will then come home and win the Cup on our ice. My prediction, Philly will win this one 3 to 2 with a goal in the last 5 min.

LET'S GO PHILLY!!!!!!

Playoff Game Night: FIRST LINE!!!!!11

Two of these guys, Richie and Carts, along with Gags need to get things going. Just as they said of Chicago's top line, it's hard to keep these guys off the score sheet for long. Tonight I think they will break through. They haven't been playing terrible, but they have been playing bad. I am not against moving Carter to centering the third line and bringing one of those guys, or Carcillo back up to the top line. Carter just looks lost playing on the wing and he can't hit the net for shit when he's over there.

As I said before, tonight will be the night. If not, we will be down 3 to 1 in the series going back to Chicago where they will do everything in their power to end it on home ice. But that doesn't matter, because Philly will win tonight. There is no doubt in my mind. It will be a great game as all of them have been, but the boys in Orange and Black will take this one. My prediction is 4 to 2 Philly. It's on boys, now you need to show that you are men.

LET'S GO FLYERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Flyers Playoff Game Night: The Pronger

This man will win us the game tonight. He will pick this team up, strap them to his back, and win. That's all that matters. Just watch. You will see.

Philly will win 5 to 1.

LET'S GO PHILLY!!!!!!

Forward Lines, D Pairings, Team Totals: Chi vs Philly

Playoff Beard Time!

Yeah, it's growing in decently, but I still think it's pretty sad.

LET'S GO FLYERS!!!

Son. Of. A. Bitch.

This Tonight!

Go Flyers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Playoff Game Night: The Final Act

Tonight is the night. These two and many others are going to need to raise their game to levels that they have never done before. As everyone has been saying, one way or another history will be made tonight. Either Philly etches this season in the books for the first time coming back from 3-0 in 35 years, for the 3rd time in the NHL history and for the 4th time in any Major League sport, or they lose, but let's not even talk about that.

The game tonight will be epic. Probably the top rated hockey game in a very long time excluding the Winter Classic. Everyone wants to watch and be a part of history. Every casual fan wants Philly to win. Riding off of that, they will need to impress and play a much better game than the last. Yes, we got the win, but it wasn't pretty. I believe, and tonight will be the night. I can't wait and there is no way at all I will be able to get anything done at work today. All I can think about is this game tonight. Let's see a good one boys. I think it is going to be close, but Philly will blow it open in the third and win 4 to 2. It's on guys, don't let the world down now.

Let's Go Philly!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Playoff Game Night: The Return of Leights

Get used to it Bahhhhston, because you will see this multiple times tonight. When Leights came out and was thrust into goal in the middle of the last game I watched him very closely and noticed something. I had never noticed his playing style, which you can see in this picture, which is always doing the splits and being extremely well positioned. I am not afraid of Boston at all with Leights coming in and I almost feel better to have him in net. Yes, he does have a problem with rebound control, but our defense knows this and will always be ready to clear the front of the net. Besides that, he can play an extremely good game. I can't wait for this game tonight and I expect another big win. Although our backs are against the wall, it feels like we have Boston against the wall. We have been crushing them in every aspect of the game, and I knew it was only a matter of time before the wins started coming. We are completely in their heads and we won't be getting out of there any time soon. Savard is losing it; Rask is starting to crumble (9 goals against in 2 games); Chara is FINALLY getting tired; and all the injuries are going to be the downfall of this team. We can do it, and we all know it. Now it's just time to execute. Let's continue to go for history boys. I want another game of hockey on Friday! I predict a track meet of a game...for us only. I'm going big, Flyers 6 Boston 0. Happy to see you back Leights!

Let's Go Flyers!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Playoff Game Night: Hello Baaahhston, Now Back to Philly!

This is what I hope to see tonight. The usual Carbomb ear to ear grin. Tonight, Philly will win. This series will travel back to Philly, we will win again, and then we will shock the world by beating Boston in Boston to make this comeback complete. Put your money on it. This is LOOOONNNNNGGGGGG from over. Let's see it tonight boys, put together a full 60 min effort and we continue to play. My guess is we will squeak this one out with a 3 to 2 win in regulation.

Let's Go Philly!

Playoff Game Night: Put Those Brooms Away!

All I can say is, this will not be the last Philly game of the season. They want this win more than Boston wants this series. We also want this series more than they do, and that's why we will come back and win it. First time in 35 years!

Gagne will be playing tonight. Don't let the "game time decision" fool you. As I read, he said it's going to be his decision after warm-ups tonight. Knowing that he has probably more competitiveness in his pinky than I do in my entire body, he will be out there. The only questions I will have about that is: How many minutes does he get? And, who does he play with? It'll be interesting to see how he looks.

With Boston now about as beat up as Philly is (missing Krejci, Sturm, and Stuart) we will be able to jump on them. Get out to a quick lead and this game will be over, whichever team does that first. Boston plays the trap to perfection when they are not trying to score goals, as we all saw last game. This will be a great game and a great way to start the weekend, as long as Philly wins. Let's see some hustle tonight boys, I don't want Philly hockey to be over with yet! My prediction, Philly 5 Boston 1.

Let's Go Philly!!!!!!!!!

Flyers Game Night: Will the Dagger be Placed

Tonight the Flyers decide if they want to get the casket in the ground, just to throw the dirt over it on Thursday. A win tonight does not guarantee the series win (as we all saw back in 2000), but it pretty much does. Everyone has been looking pretty good, with Giroux and Richards, along with Pronger, Kimmo, Lappy, and Betts looking incredible. The only thing that needs to happen now...Carter, Hartnell and Gags to wake up from this nap and do what they can do. We need them in order to finish this series.

Broduer was a freak of nature at the end of the last game. If not for him, the score easily would have bene 5 or more goals for us. Look for him to be on his game tonight since he seems to be learning our habits. I will also be watching to see if Kovalchuk's frustration level is still all the way up to the breaking point. I didn't know he could get so frustrated so easily, and it's great. Parise has been pretty steady and we have just kept the pressure on him. Look for him to keep up his play. This game is ours for the taking along with possibly taking the series because of this. I don't want to deal with this coming down to a best of three, let's force them to win out if they want this series. I'm expecting big things tonight and for one of Carter, Hartnell, or Gags to break out of their slump. This is going to be a huge game. My prediction...4 to 2 Flyers!

Let's Go Flyers!!!!!!!!!!!

Flyers Game Night: On to Number 2

All I can say is watch it and the Flyers will win 4 to 2. Marty will be shaky.

Let's Go Flyers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Flyers Game Night: And it All Starts Here

I hate to do it to the guy, but a lot of what we do this post season will most likely be due to this kid. Claude Giroux, the Game Genie, will need to come up huge for the Flyers to do anything. He did it last year and actually, the rest of the team let HIM down. It's time for him to do it again. Tonight we begin the improbable run to the Cup that no one thinks we can do. Shit, betting odds we will win it are 40 to 1! That't tied for the worse odds out of any team in the post season. Time to prove those idiots wrong. We will do this. We all must believe. It begins here, tonight, when we walk out of the rink with a 1 - 0 series lead. Let's do this. My prediction, we get to Brodeur, walk out with a 3 to 1 win.

Playoff Time! Let's Go Flyers!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Win or Die!

That's all I can really say about this team and that seems to be all that needs to be known. Win tonight, and you're good. Lose tonight, win Sunday, you're still good. Lose both like last year, it's going to be a shit storm. I will try to post again tomorrow or later tonight if I can, but I'm busy now so I'll leave it at that. THIS IS HUGE!

LET'S GO FLYERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Flyers Game Night: Fartsmell and Co.

This guy...this guy right here. He needs to do something, and something big. If this guy can turn his season around and go into the playoffs on fire, then this team will be on fire. I don't know why I'm putting all of this on Steve Fartsmell, but he needs to turn back into Scott Hartnell. This team is great and they need to prove it now, right now, and make every team in the Eastern Conference afraid to have to play them in the first round. That is all I ask for.

As for tonight's game, we will be visiting Toronto. Now I've never been there myself, but I hear it's wonderful this time of year. And there is nothing I'd like to see more than a sad little canadian face when the Flyers poop all over them tonight. The Flyers should be all good, rolling with pretty much three straight good games, even though they only won one of them. Now is the time to do what we were supposed to do all year long, whoop some ass. As for Toronto, we need to watch out for the sniper Phil Kessel and the "frat pack" line. Neither of those should be a problem for us. Between Timmo and Prongs, Kessel will always be covered, and then throw the LCB 2.0 line out there to demolish the frat boys. My prediction is a 3 to 0 curb stomping and getting Boosh a much needed shut out and confidence. Let's see it all laid out there tonight!

As for me, I'm going with my company to the Florida vs Ottawa game tonight so I will not be able to see the game. I'm setting my DVR in case anything extraordinary happens.

LET'S GO FLYERS!!!!!!!!!!!

HA!

Flyers are a joke this year. See you next year.

Pauly's Thoughts

So. After the game last night I decided it was time to jump in my Delorean and gun it to 88. I traveled to June 18th, 2010 and stole Paul Holmgren's personal diary as you can see here:

I decided to look at some key dates to find out all of the Flyers information that I wanted to know. Here are my findings:

April 11th 11:30 P.M.

While I was playing with my pretty little princess doll and eagerly awaiting the release of Avatar on DVD in a week and a half, I found out that the Flyers lost to the Rangers tonight and officially did not make the playoffs. My little boy Mikey called me and told me he was very upset with the team, and didn't want to be the Captain anymore, which really upset me. Then he ripped the bong again and started crying about how sorry he was that he just said that to me and he still wants to be Captain. All in all, I still have my little boy, and there is always next year to WIN NOW. I'm going to go open a new tub of ice cream and watch Twilight. Good night moon.

April 13th 9:45 A.M.

Golf outing with Hitler.

May 6th 12:15 P.M.

Lunch with Robert Esche. Later signed to a 6 year, $30 Million deal.

June 18th 10:30 A.M.

Meeting with Eddie Snider.

June 18th 10:45 A.M. - Last Entry

Poopy. Eddie told me it is time to move on. I hate break ups. Where's my Pretty Little Pony, I need a snuggle buddy...

Flyers Game Night: Sink or Swim?

Tonight the Flyers will pretty much decide their own fate. In my opinion they either jump off the cliff or they grasp the edge with all their strength and don't let go. As of now everyone knows Carter is out for the rest of the regular season. As of now most of you know about all the issues in the Ottawa game on Tuesday. For those who don't, I'll do one quick recap:

The Flyers lost. There were about 15 blown calls, going for and against the Flyers. The most obvious were performed by the same player, Volchenkov. First a shoulder elbow some part of the arm to the head of Carcillo and he still made a sick pass to Gagne who couldn't finish it. Then Mr. Vol had a really nasty, dirty hit on Gagne putting him face first into the boards, which should have drawn either a 2 minute minor or a 5 minute major, neither of which were called and it led directly to an Ottawa goal. After the goal, Gagne leaped up to reach Vol's head with his punches, and ended up with 19 PIM and a 7 minute power play for Ottawa (which they didn't score on). Then, with about 3 minutes left in the game, Vol laid down in front of the Ottawa goal, and proceeded to cover the puck with his hand to push it out of the goal (usually leads to a penalty shot) also while the puck was over the line. A LONGGGG review insued after the play and it was determined that Toronto's war room hates the Flyers the puck never crossed the line or it was inconclusive if the puck did go completely over the line. Then the game ended with the score 2 to 0.

Now the Flyers sit in 7th place after they could have jumped to 5th with a win over Ottawa. They enter tonight's game with 3 straight losses, and one win in their last 6 games. I can't really say much else besides that they need to win tonight, or I count our season over. I have already pretty much accepted the fact that we will not win a series in the playoffs if we even make it. I am not throwing in the towel, and I will never do that until the off season has officially begun, but damn it's hard to watch this team lately. Tonight's game is at home against the Minnesota Wild, and it begins at 7. I hope I can write something good about it tomorrow. My prediction, with how freaking PISSED OFF this team should be, 5 to 1 win.

LET'S GO FLYERS!!!

Game Night: Remember the Old Days

And now we move on to the good ole' days and welcome back to the starting goalie position, Brian Boucher (crowd starts cheering frantically, half dies from hysteria). Seriously though, I feel almost the exact same, if not better to see Boosh get back into the creese for us tonight. He hasn't started a game since December 21st, but he is our go to guy for the rest of the season and most likely through all of the playoffs. Boucher's numbers this year are ridiculously deceiving. He is no where near as terrible as it seems, just got unlucky being thrown into games, just to have the team come back and score enough goals for him to end up with the loss. Take at least 3 or 4 of his losses and hand them right over to Leighton and it makes more sense. All of his mop-up duty has started with him getting in, giving up a goal or two because he was rusty, and then playing lights out the rest of the game. Hopefully, now that he's starting, he won't need to let in that early goal and will get the shut out tonight.

As for the rest of the team, if they play like they did when Leights came in earlier this year, Boosh should be fine. Hell, if they played the way they did with Leights I could see him getting a few shut outs before the season is over. The defense needs to tighten up starting with Pronger and all the way down to Parent/Coburn. The forwards need to have just that little bit more jump in their step and get to the loose pucks first. Our last game was great in stretches, and honestly, the bounces will go our way, starting with the game tonight. We can chase Turco/Lehtonen tonight easily just like the last time we played them. If we play good sound hockey, we will break this 13 year(!) winless streak in Dallas. It's time to show the West what we're made of. My prediction 3 to 0 win. Goals by Carter, Lappy, and Prongs. Let's do this, plus I want to win the Flyers Goal Scored By... t-shirt this week!

LET'S GO FLYERS!!!

Missing the Game

So I figured I would have to miss a few games this year, but tonight I will be heading down to watch the Ovechkin-less Capitals play against the Panthers. Should be a good game since the Panthers have been playing quite well lately and the Caps don't have Ovechkin for the next two games because of his suspension. Anyways, onto the Flyers vs Predators game tonight.

We are going to win. That is all. 4 to 2.

Also, if you get a chance, search for the Predators trailer. And I am speaking about the nasty aliens that have stealth and sick weapons to kill people with. Right now there are only clips online, but the full trailer is due to be released on Thursday. Do check it out.

Let's Go Flyers!!!

Tired Flyers

Yes, I will go there. After playing probably their best game of the year on Saturday afternoon, beating the Blackhawks 3 to 2 in an incredible come from behind win, the Flyers started their trip from hell to NY. I can only imagine that every player on the Flyers team was emotionally drained from the effort and physical game they played against Chicago. After that game, they boarded a train for NY. Said train ends up loosing power or something and gets stuck on the train tracks for about 5 hours from what I hear. So long so that the Flyers actually ordered a food delivery to the train...I hope that guy got a good tip. The Flyers had to get off the train and take a bus the rest of the way to NY, arriving at their hotel around midnight or so. The trip from Philly to NY usually takes about an hour by train. This trip took about 7 hours door to door. Also, remember, that was the night of daylight savings, causing the Flyers to loose an hour from that. All in all, they were going to be tired.

They started off the game with a lot of hop in their step, but I still think it was only to get that one goal, and then try to relax for the rest of the game, which is what happened. They opened up the scoring, but shortly there after fell asleep for the rest of the game. What other way do you explain Avery getting two goals against us. So yes, I will not give the Rangers any glimpse of hope that they are actually good. We were tired and we could not get fully prepared for this game. Things will be different come April. Just watch and see.

Game Night: Classic Revenge

It's a lazy day today. Please refer to Flyers Goal Scored By... for your game preview. Also, if you get this in time, get in on the contest! Even know I've rigged the contest and have injected steroids into the players I've chosen, at least you can have some fun! Click here for the game preview and click here for the contest rules. Good Luck! My prediction tonight...extreme revenge, 7 to 2 beat down!

Let's Go Flyers!!!

Our Favorite Little Team

So, most likely against their own personal feelings, the New York Islanders come to town tonight. Currently, the longest winning streak against one team in the NHL is held by the Flyers, and you guessed it, against the Islanders. We have made it 14 straight games over the course of the last three seasons. That's just embarrassing. Although we do play them six times every year, you would think out of pure luck that they would be able to slip at least one of the last 14 away, but to the happiness of all Flyers fans, that has not happened. I personally blame the streak on my good friend Luke, who, back around the beginning of this streak, claimed that no longer were the Islanders his favorite team (after about 15 years of only watching them) and now the Sharks are. He completely jumped ship on his boys, and ran off to one of the best teams during the regular season every year (we all know how they play in the playoffs). So to my friend Luke, I say, tonight makes 15 buddy.

As for the game itself, we will have Leights starting in goal as usual, which after reading Broad Streets blog post arguing for Bouch to start, I am not happy about. Leights should do fine, but we will see Bouch flop around this weekend and give up two soft ones as expected when he gets in. Besides that, everything else will most likely stay the same. I would like to see Leino get in again for Hartnell with the Carter/Briere line, but that is extremely doubtful. Looking over at the Islanders, their savior Tavares has fallen apart and has now scored I believe 3 goals in his last 23 games or something like that. I'm sure he will bounce back at some point, but it won't do anything to help the Islanders salvage this season. My biggest worry about this game will be the Flyers being over confident and playing down to the Islanders level of play, as we have done many, many times in the past. We should be able to walk into this game tonight and win 38 to 0, but we won't. My prediction is this, 6 to 1. I'm going big in hopes that the team wants to prove that they won't play down to a much worse team for the rest of the year. Let's watch Carts, Richie, Briere, Gagne, and the rest of the gang keep up the solid play.

Let's Go Flyers!!!

Hockey Hangover

I hate the Florida Panthers. I have no idea why we cannot play against them AT ALL. I believe in the past 3 years, we have been able to win one game in Florida, and that one game I missed. It was a disgrace to be at that game the other night. The defense was HORRIBLE, the goaltending was even worse, just a complete shit show. The offense looked decent at times, but not great. I will still give the team a pass on this one, but there better be a big turn around tonight. I'm not going to go much further into the game except to make the point that Scott Hartnell needs to be benched NOW. I don't care if we call someone up, or play Powe hurt, anything will be better than watching Hartnell skate around lost, taking stupid penalties and turning over the puck non stop. I believe it was the 4th goal that Hartnell didn't back check hard and it led straight to a goal. He just doesn't seem to have the heart to play anymore. And most of his penalties just come from him being lazy. I'm sick of it and he needs to be taught a lesson. Just give him a couple games in the press box and maybe he will smarten up. It's just not going to work for us. Anyways, moving on.

Tonight we play the Buffalo Sabres who have been realing pretty bad lately. They dropped the division lead to the Senators before the break and then followed it up with a loss to Pitt and Wash. They are an easy target and as they always say, KICK THE DOG WHILE IT'S DOWN! Miller will be in net for sure, and if we pepper him with shots right from the beginning and possibly pot one or two, he will be completely off his game. We cannot allow him to get into his groove because then he is almost impossible to beat. I am really looking forward to this game since the last one was such a let down.

I am hopeing that Lavi will be smart and quit switching up the lines so much. Give these guys some time to get some chemistry. Or else, switch them and let them all play together for more than one game. Here is my ideal set up, just personally:

Gagne-Richards-Briere
JVR-Carter-Giroux
Asham-Powe/Lieno-Hartnell (But place Lieno in Harnell's spot if Powe is healthy)
Carcillo-Betts-Laperriere

First line is just deadly with all our best players except maybe Carter. Second line is two good playmakers that can feed a true goal scorer. Third line is grit with a little skill, and the fourth is just a power house. Why not give it a try?

Anyways, I hope we can actually make something happen tonight. This is a big game with Buffalo just ahead of us in the standings and we can pull closer with this win. Also, we have Boston 2 points behind and Atlanta 3 points behind. We need to pull away NOW! What better way to go into a four game home stand than with a nice win against a team we need to beat. Let's see it happen. My prediction, 4 to 1 Flyers!

LET'S GO FLYERS!!!

Flyers vs Panthers

This is where I will be tonight, actually, in about 3 hours from now, preparing to watch our Flyers destroy Florida. Florida was supposed to have a fire sale today on the trade deadline, but really only moved some minor pieces out and nothing back in. They still have Vokoun in net, they still have Booth and Horton, they still have a terrible team. This is one of those games that we should usually walk right over the team and at least escape with a 2-2 record against a much weaker team, but for some odd reason, Philly plays TERRIBLE in south florida. I've gone to all of their games for the past three years and saw them win ONCE! I actually did miss the second game here last year because of my brother's wedding, and they won that, but whatever, they still don't play well here. With all the problems Florida has right now, we should easily be sitting with a 6 game win streak at the end of the night.

As most of you know, the Flyers did not make a single move at the trade deadline, so the team you see right now is the team you will see hoisting the cup at the end of the playoffs. Personally, I have absolutely no problem with that. This team is VERY good and is starting to show that they are. I would have liked to see Hartnell walk away, but we can't win everytime.

My seats are dead center ice, across from the benches, 11 rows back. Again, I will have my Richards winter classic on, and my girlfriend will have her Carcillo winter classic on, and we will be with two Panthers fans. All I want to do is just rub it in their face at the end of the night when Philly walks away with ease from this one. So with that, I bid you ado.

LET'S GO FLYERS!!!

Update: Emery Out for Season

Homer has finally come out and told the media that Emery is out for the remainder of the season and will be having hip surgery to hopefully save his CAREER. This is terrible news for Emery, but I have been seeing this coming for a long while. I hope the best for him and hope he can one day come back and play, but now it's all on my main man Leights! Unless, of course, we trade for a goalie such as I have heard Roloson's name thrown around, which I think is a terrible idea. Anyways, LET'S GO LEIGHTS!!! and LET'S GO FLYERS!!!

And We're Back!

Welcome back to the real world of hockey everyone. First and foremost I would like to congratulate Richards and Pronger on bringing back Gold medals and Timmo for bringing back a Bronze. Good work gentlemen, now you must turn those into a Stanley Cup!

Take a good look at the picture above, because there is about a 95% chance that this will be the man between the pipes leading us to the Cup this year. With Emery going on LTIR (although he can be taken off anytime) it does not look like there is a good chance of him coming back and playing as well as he can. That leaves us with the good old Michael Leighton. A lot of people are still nervous about having him as our backbone, but I for one am more than happy to see him in there. He has at least proven to me that he can handle it. When you begin your time with a new team by going 12-3-1, that has to mean something. This guy is on a mission to prove that he is a capable starter in the NHL and he is doing one hell of a job so far. Yes, there have been a few lapses when he has given up a soft goal, but it is few and far between. This team is good to go, but maybe adding Hamhuis or Torres would be nice, but I have this feeling neither will go through and the team you see now is the team you will see hoisting up the Cup this year. Now, moving forward.

Tonight we play the TB Lightning. I lived in Tampa when they won the cup back during the '03/'04 season. It was pretty cool to live right down the street from the stadium and walk to games whenever I felt like it and it's a unique atmosphere over there. Anyways, they could give the Flyers a little bit of a fight tonight if they can look past some of the issues they have gone through recently (Ass. Coach change, New Ownership, etc.). Even still, I see the Flyers walking away with this one in a 5 to 1 victory (and that one will of course be Stamkos). I can't wait for this game and am beyond elated that Flyers hockey is back!!!

P.S. I will be in attendance at the FLA vs Flyers game tomorrow night, dead center ice, opposite of the benches, 11 rows back. I'll be rocking my Richards Winter Classic jersey and my girlfriend will have on her Carcillo Winter Classic jersey.

LET'S GO FLYERS!!!

USA HOCKEY!

So tonight begins USA hockey's run for Gold (or Silver or Bronze). It will be very interesting to see if this team of young misfits can pull off something magical this year. There have been many previews of the team on the web (see: Flyers Goal Scored by..., and Puck Daddy on Yahoo), so I'm not going to waste my time with that. There are exactly ZERO Flyers players on the team, which is pretty much expected since we have what, 3 players on the roster from the U S of A. Out of those three, maybe in the future Carle and Reemer will make the team, most likely Reemer in 2014, but Boucher will never, ever, wear his country's colors to represent (sorry buddy, but you can't hang with Thomas, Miller and Quick). My best guess would be a 4th place finish for the team this year, I hope for better but am trying to be somewhat realistic here.

As for team Canada, we have two Flyers on there with Richards, and Pronger getting the call. Richards will probably play as a 3rd or 4th line center (shows how deep that team really is) and Pronger will most likely be on the top defensive pairing. It will be very interesting to see how they each play, and hopefully Richards can score a few, as well as Prongs. I'm looking forward to watching them play.

As for the Flyers themselves, jump over to a couple good reads on the Flyers SBNation blog, Broad Street Hockey, where they have a couple of great articles discussing Leighton and what to do with him as well as a defense against Flying P's blog post about why Briere has not been getting more heckling from Flyers fans. As for me, I might take some time off the next week or so before diving back into the blogosphere. I hope everyone has a great Olympic Break and Let's Go Team USA.

Extension and Wins

So, as most of you should know, Blair Betts got a contract extension late last night/early this morning for the next 2 years. This is probably the smartest thing Homer has done ever. Betts has been playing amazing for us this year and is someone that we will need moving forward. His skill in the faceoff circle and the fact that he plays a ton of the hard minutes (penalty kill) has been one of those things we have always needed and will always need being the Flyers. So hats off to Mr. Betts and maybe he can thank us by putting in a couple tonight, that would be very nice of him.

As for the game tonight and the last two against NJ, all I can say is WOW. 2 come from behind wins, against a division rival, and a team we may face in the playoffs. That's something to be extremely happy about. Now we play Montreal who is sitting 1 point ahead of us in the standings and we need to win these games. If we can steal these two games from them, then I will have been right on my prediction that they needed to win 6 of their last 8 before the break to be in a good place. These games will not be easy, but they are definitely not that hard. I am hopeing we can slip away with both of these games, and maybe have one of them be a huge blowout.

My predictions: Tonight 6 to 1 Flyers, tomorrow 3 to 0 Flyers. Let's hope for the best!

Let's Go Flyers!!!

"Must Win" Games

First, I apologize for disappearing for a few days. I went in for shoulder surgery on Thursday and have been down since. I made it back to work today, sling and all, and am still having trouble typing since I can only use one hand for the time being. So this is going to be short.

We haven't played over our competition in the last two games. This is not a good thing. We should have walked away from this trip 3-0-0 instead walking away 1-2-0. This is not good and we need to fix it. Tonight, we get back home and face a newly "offensive" New Jersey team. They have added Kovalchuk and all of his amazing offensive abilities, but that is all that he has. By adding him they have put a huge liability to their defensive end. I watched Kovis first game against NYR and he did not back check AT ALL. He sat in the neutral zone and "cherry picked" waiting for a cheap goal or break away. It was evident in their last game that he was not the "huge, season changing" acquisition that they had hoped for since they lost 3-1. I might be talking crazy, but we should be able to take both of these next two games from the division leader. I want to see our superstars play like superstars NOW. I'm predicting a 4 to 1 win tonight, and then a 3 to 0 win in Jersey. Let's see some hustle boys.

Let's Go Flyers!

The Flyers Savior is here...

Yeah, that's right, I said it. Lukas Krajicek will become the Flyers savior for the season. He will defy all odds, start playing like a first line d-man, and blow everyone's mind that he isn't making shit for money at the end of the year. But now back to reality, I really do like this guy. His face does scare the crap out of me, but he can play Lavi's system pretty much just as well as any other d-man on the team. He was jumping up into plays, he was putting shots on goal with a pretty huge slapper, he was being defensively responsible. A lot of this probably helps while playing with an All-Star such as Timonen, but never the less, he did his job. If you didn't notice, he also spent a decent bit of time playing with Oskars Bartulis. I like the addition, and I hope he will continue to prove to everyone that he deserved to go in the first round all those years ago.

Onto a quick recap of last night:

The best game of the season so far for every aspect. Defense, offense, (sort of) special teams, goaltending. It was all there for the entire team. The Richards goal from the Gange "smack the puck out of the air, perfect with no bounce for Richards to slam home" play was pretty intense and very lucky. Giroux's ridiculous backhander that completely fooled Kippy was sweet. And it's funny, after the game he was asked about it and he actually said, "I wanted to go forehand, but the defense got back and I had to shoot backhand". He really did make Kippy look stupid. Besides that, as I already said, it was one hell of a game and hopefully we can keep it rolling as we get to Edmonton. If we play another game like this against the lowely Edmonton squad, it will be about 6 or 8 to 0. I can't wait to see it. (Philly 3 - Calgary 0)

Let's Go Philly!!!

BAG SKATE!!!

Although these are kids, this is exactly what every single player on the Flyers should look like after practice until they start to play a full 60 minutes every game. And they won't get breaks from this until they do it at least five straight games. I'm sick and tired of watching them just give up on games when they have a two goal lead. I know, it's the usual for Philly and it has been this way for many, many years, but at some point, it has got to change. Laviolette is not the type of coach to put up with this crap. I mean look at this face, does that look like someone who is going to sit back and let his team under-perform?

This Saturday will show us all nothing at all about the Flyers; unless they lose. If they win, it goes into the bucket of "We Own the Islanders", but if we actually lose to them, then there is a glarring "we play down to our opponents level". It is going to take a good solid 5 or 6 game win streak against some decent teams to change my feelings on this team and this season. If we can pull that off right before going into the Olympic break, then I can see us in the playoffs this year and making a decent run, possibly to win the Cup. If we can't pull that off, I will not be surprised at all to find our season ending before the playoffs even begin. We have eight games until the break, that means we need to go at least 5 and 3 or 6 and 2. Deep down inside I think they can do it, but it all depends on what they think and what they do. A win tomorrow afternoon will make this weekend 10 times better, so please Philly, I beg you, beat the crap out of the Islanders like usual and let me enjoy my weekend even more.

FAIL

I haven't been this angry about a hockey game since game 6 of the playoffs last year. HOW? I ask, HOW the hell do you give up on this game? Drop your asses out. From watching this game we don't deserve to make the playoffs this year, and we probably won't. Just absolutely pathetic.

On another note. The rules need to be changed so when a fucking goalie like Hedburg rushes out of the net, he can be put on his ass just like any other player. And in such situations, if he loses his helmet, that's his fault and he deserves a puck to the face if it happens...Just my thoughts.

As for the Flyers, you can never, EVER have even one day off for the rest of the year, because things like this happen when you think you are better than you are.

The One Man Team

Yeah, no joke, that really is Ilya Kovalchuk wearing a kilt for some reason. Guys still a pimp though.

Anyways, tonight we have Kovalchuk and his AHL teammates in town. It really is pathetic that there really are only 3 or 4 good players on this entire team. Also, as everyone knows, they are trying to deal off Kovalchuk for what seems like will be as many draft picks as they can possibly get. He truly is a superstar, and by far the second best winger and Russian in the NHL, behind only Ovechkin. Even though we lost to Atlanta in our last outing, which was our first lost to them in the previous 14 games that we played them, and that was when we forgot how to play hockey and right after that game, Stevens got the axe. Well, now we are back to playing real hockey, and are doing quite well at it. I believe we are 11-4-1 in our last 16; pretty impressive. Games against ATL are also made easier because all we have to do is shutdown Kovi and we should be fine. Since we have two shutdown defenseman that play on different lines, that job works out perfect.

As for the Flyers' players getting points, the two big guns right now are Carter and Pronger who have been playing very well. Emery has been steady since coming back, which is always a good sign. I have this feeling JVR is going to have a good game tonight, and I think it all stems from reading so many articles about Myers and Duchene and how the Calder race is all about them, which I find to be complete bullshit. JVR is playing third line minutes at best, and is still producing as many points and as good of play as those two dicks. If they don't take into account those things when looking at the Calder this year, I'll be pretty angry. Besides that, look for the Flyers to come out on fire this game after having three days to think about losing to the dreaded Pens and how awful the powerplay was. I'm expecting a HUGE win tonight. Biggest win of the year. I'm going with 9 to 2, and that's at most 2 for ATL.

LET'S GO FLYERS!!!

Somehow it has happened

The last two days before I have passed out in bed, I've been checking to see which of the 7 teams has been able to pull off a win and jump over us in the standings since we have three days off and get even more games "in hand". To my surprise, no one has been able to accomplish this feat. We still sit as the number 6 seed, although falling to 7 points behind Ottawa, of all teams, with 3 games in hand though. If we can make it through one more night tonight with Carolina pulling out a win over the Rangers and Tampa somehow beating Montreal, then we will head into our games tomorrow...still sitting in 6th. Also, by tomorrow we will have 3 games in hand over NYR and 4 games over Montreal. So everyone, no matter how much it hurts, make sure to chear for Car. and Tampa tonight. We need to stay where we are and then move forward for the rest of the week to pull away from this HUGE pack sitting on the bubble. A few more wins will put us in a hopefully semi-comfortable position. Let's hope for the best. Our fate is in our own hands.

Let's Go Flyers!!!

Officiating Again...

It was an amazing game but two instances I can see called just for Pitt.

Gagne getting a High Sticking on our second goal...Complete BULLSHIT.

Hartnell Goaltender Interference...BULLSHIT again.

Whatever, that's what we have to deal with when we have the reputation. Overall I thought it was a great game. The last goal I thought Emery could have had, but it happens. Either way we had out chances and just couldn't quite get it in there. I loved the effort and won't say anything bad. Richards was still not to be seen most of the game which he needs to work on.

Lastly, I do not agree at ALL with Laviolette pushing Powe back to center on the 3rd line with Giroux moving back to the 1st line. They both seemed to be comfortable where they were and then they got mixed up and didn't have the chemistry that they were used to. But these are the things we learn from. Overall great game, and hopefully we can keep climbing after this and find Pitt in the playoffs again. Trust me, it will not be the same as this game...

Let's Go Flyers!!!

I Love Weekends Like This

Simple one here.

Amazing game last night to watch. Back and forth; Carcillo smashing a star player's face because he's an idiot and started with him; and a Flyers win...AWESOME.

This weekend we get two afternoon games, which pretty much means as soon as you wake up you get hockey. Saturday we place Carolina who we have had our fun with this year and should again. Sunday we get the dreaded Pens. I hope this one will turn out even better than the last. That's all folks.

GO FLYERS!!!

Fashion Design Comes to Philly

I personally think my created logo is much better. I wonder if Sean Avery from the Rangers would agree since he has all of that Vogue work that he has done.

Anyways, onto the game tonight. The Flyers are fresh off a good win over Columbus to start their 6 game home stand and the Rangers are coming into the Wach outscoring their opponents 14 to 4 in their last two games. I would normally be afraid of this, especially with the rusty Emery in net, but I can't see the Rangers beating up on us tonight. The whole team knows how important points are right now, and especially at 4 point swing against a team that ahead of us in the standings, and in our own division. We will need to pass them up at some point before the end of the year to have home ice for at least the first round.

I have a good feeling about tonight's game, and it's not just that I'm wearing my lucky work approved Flyers polo, or the fact that I'm undefeated wearing the Richards Winter Classic jersey during their home games. It's the fact that things are falling into place beautifully under Laviolette's "run and gun" system. The defense seems to tighten up well, and it seems like they are starting to gain that confidence back in Emery. Also, the new line changes from the last game were genious on Lavi's part. Powe on the top line is AWESOME with the incredible amount of speed that he has. Also, Giroux was born to play in the middle, the no look, behind the back, perfect pass leading to a goal in the last game was intense. I'm looking forward to some more of that this year. Also, we now easily have four lines that can score goals, and with that against the extremely shaky defense of the Rangers should mean good things. Henrik Lundqvist is the one big OH NO when speaking about the Rangers. This guy is a freak against Philly, and just in general. A perennial all star and Vezna Trophy canidate, he is the only one that can truly steal a game from pretty much any team. Hartnell will need to get in front of him every second he is on the ice, and we need an early goal to keep Henrik from getting into a groove and beating us all by himself.

So, my predictions for tonight will most likely be a "track meet" game. I'm thinking 8 to 4, with both goalies getting yanked at some point. I think every line from the Flyers will have a goal. Including a hat trick for someone, probably Richie, but I would love for it to be Reemer. I have to hope for the best tonight because I would love to be happy at work tomorrow and not pissed off because of this game. Let's bring the heat boys.

Let's Go Flyers!!!

Pronger Goal

Gotta love Philly announcers. After the Pronger powerplay goal.

"Chris Pronger sneaked in the back door...RAMS it home."

haha

Win, NOW

Tonight we play the Blue Jackets. All that needs to be said is it's time to win. Let's beat them into the ground.

LET'S GO FLYERS!

The Weekend

The weekend is here. After a terrible showing yesterday, I hope that we really were looking ahead to the game on Sunday against the Caps. If we play them the way we played Toronto, it will be another blow out loss. I doubt they will come out as flat as the did, and all I can hope is that Lavi has been pushing them a TON today and tomorrow. Let's shove a fist down Ovechkin's throat. I would prefer for it to be Carbomb. Anyways, let's at least see a good game this time around.

LET'S GO FLYERS!!!

Taking a Shit

It just seems to me like the whole team is just sitting on the crapper just taking a shit right now in this game. I can't hate leighton right now, he is doin everything he can, made some great saves, but no way in hell he could have saved either of those goals, Tollefson looked like he didn't know how to play hockey when he got turned inside out, and Bartulis to defend a 2 on 1??? In my dreams. This is just ugly. Let's just get this game over with and move on to Washington, which it seems like is what is on our teams mind, for sure not this game. O. Yeah, and zero fights so far, that's not Philly hockey you idiots, drop the gloves and do what you do best.

Fight Night!!!

Still really busy at work, so it'll be short.

Tonight we head to Toronto to take on the Leafs. Last Wed.'s game is going to have a lot of carry over to this game and it should be one hell of a game. There will be fights, goals, maybe some throat slashing? (see: Carcillo, Daniel). I am dying to get out of work and get home to prep for this game. Hopefully it will go just as well, if not better than the last time.

My prediction: 5 fights; over 76 PIM; and a 5 to 0 Philly win!

LET'S GO FLYERS!!!!!!

The Great Goalie Conundrum

Everyone has been beating this subject to death so I figured it was my turn. Ray Emery or Michael Leighton? That is the question right now. First some stats:

Michael Leighton:
'09-'10 Season: 18GP; 15 Starts; 9-4-1; 2.99GAA; .897 Save%; 1 SO
Since with Flyers: 11GP; 10 Starts; 8-0-1; 2.22GAA; .920 Save%; 1 SO

Ray Emery:
'09-'10 Season: 21GP; 21 Starts; 11-8-1; 2.83GAA; .900 Save%; 1 SO

Between the two and only counting games played with the Flyers, hands down Leighton gets the nod. The only issue is, Emery's stats are slightly effected by his injury, and he was the starter before going down to injury for a month. To my knowledge, pretty much no goalie will lose his starting job because of an injury. I still, to this day believe a lot of the terrible play right before he had his surgury was due to the fact that he was only playing at about 75% of what he could because he was in so much pain. Also, everyone, even the Flyers organization has said that he is better than Leighton when it comes to pure skill. Now onto Leighton.

Leighton was having an atrocious year with Carolina, who is also a TERRIBLE team. They didn't have anything on defense to help push shooters to the outside or even block shots. Leighton was an easy pick-up because Laviolette knew the skill he had, but he has never been given the chance and has pretty much never had much of a defensive team in front of him. So let's bring in Leights right when Powe, Betts and Gagne (offense mainly) get back into the lineup and help our team tremendously in the defensive aspect of the game. WIth that said, he has done what he needs to do. Don't hate me and I'm not hating on him, but a lot of goalies could do what he has been doing with the team he has in front of him. Lately a few of the goals he has given up were what you would call "soft". Just the other night, I believe it was the Toronto game, he gave up one to a player that just cut into the slot and shot to the post with no screen on Leighton, who was not in good position so it went straight in. Still, he has done what he needs to do and has made some huge saves to keep us in games and let us pull away on the scoreboard. Everyone is high on him right now and of course your going to stay with the hot hand. Especially since he has still not taken a regulation loss in 10 games, which is the first time in a very long time a Flyers goalie has played his first 10 games with us and not lost one in regulation.

So to my opinion. I love Leights and believe just as everyone else, including Emery, that he should get the starts until he looses. But as soon as that first loss hits, in goes Emery and he deserves at least 5 or 6 starts to prove himself again and get his job "back". With the way this team is playing, either goalie can win these games, but when it comes to a game that needs to be stolen by a goalie, such as a shutout or only 1 goal game, I believe Emery can do that, not so much for Leights. I'm just happy to see we finally have a GOALIE situation that is good and not bad.

As for Boosh, have fun in Adirondack and keep those skills in check, we will find you a good team that you can play bench warmer for and back-up when needed. I love you Boosh, but you just can't hang with the other two right now.

On that note, LET'S GO FLYERS!!!

Only Steers and Queers Come From Texas

I'm extremely busy at work so this is short.

I love Full Metal Jacket as you can see by the post name.

This is a Richards vs. Richards battle tonight as Mike and Brad face off. I expect the Flyers to jump on Dallas very fast and not look back. Dallas is in a tailspin right now and the Flyers are riding high. Time to stick it to em. My guess is a 6 to 0 stomping while chasing Turco from the net.

LET'S GO FLYERS!!!

No Love for the Prongs?

I was browsing the Flyers website and noticed that you can click through to the "Silent" Auctions that they are holding from the Flyers Wives Against Cancer carnival and what not yesterday. Let's see, so $1,500 for floor seats to a Sixers game with Hartnell and Asham with 3 bids on it, not bad, even though the Sixers are crap. $425 for the Lauren Hart game experience with 2 bids on it, not too shabby. $325 to exercise with Lappy with 2 bids on it, pretty cool. $500 for lunch with Homer in the dressing room with 1 bid on it, nice, and, let's see here, oh, $750 for lunch with Prongs and his GORGEOUS wife at Capital Grille and limo ride, with ZERO bids on it.

Now I understand that it's a bit more than the others, besides the floor seats, but even still, this is Chris "I'll Eat Your Baby" Pronger here and his beautiful blonde bombshell wife. I know there has to be someone with enough money just laying around that they would bid on this. I would sell my liver to go out to lunch with those two. My only guess as to why this has not received a bid yet is because of this one stipulation, "Alcohol and gratuity not included." That's just some BS...

Click here to check out the rest of the auction, it's pretty cool.

iPhone Update

Flyers rule!!!!!!!!!

That is all.

Yeah, This is Tonight!

So yeah, I really did spend the time to make this picture, haha. Anyways, this is one of the best rivals in all of everything. There's the Yankees and Red Sox, Lebron and Kobe, King Leonidas and Xerxes, Family Guy and South Park, Wile E Coyote and the Roadrunner, Oil and Water, Mega Shark and Giant Octopus, Ants and Magnifying Glasses, Rocky Balboa and Ivan Drago, Titanic and Icebergs, Hot Dogs and Hamburgers, Fat People and a Treadmill, and the list goes on and on.

Tonight the Orange and Black make the trip across the state to play the Pens. They have had our number all year, taking the lead in the series 3-0. That's all but done tonight, since we are going to bust all over their faces and make them feel like a cheap porn star. The Flyers are 5-1-1 in their last 7 and the Pens are 1-5-0 in their last 6. This is the perfect time for the Flyers to jump all over them and show them that "we're mad as hell, and we're not gonna take it anymore!" Also, please refer back to my schedule makers suck balls post to see why we get the fun of playing the Penguins 3 times on the back half of back to back games and they only play us once in that scenario, and tonight is one of those 3 times.

My predictions for tonight are Briere posting two goals and keeping his streak alive. Richards getting one, JVR getting one, and Carcillo getting one. Also, Pronger putting a well placed elbow into Malkin/Crosby's skull. This is going to be a high intensity, lot's of liquid courage (Vodka) game. Let's Do This!

Let's Go Flyers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Battle of the (Nearly) Basement

I just couldn't help but laugh at this hilarious "Philly Scream". I can't really tell, but I think it's Carbomb. But I do hope we see this tonight at least a few times.

Tonight at 7 the spelling illiterate Maple Leafs(sp) come to town as we get to see two of the worst teams in the NHL face off. Right now Philly is sitting in 12th with 41 points and Toronto sits at 14th with 39 points. That's two craptastic teams right there. Expectations for Toronto were bleak anyways, but for Philly this just doesn't make sense. I've discussed that before, so I'm not going to get into it. On the up side, if Philly wins tonight we leap frog to 9th place and sit 1 win from 7th. Toronto on the other hand won't go anywhere, but at least would be tied with us at 41 points.

Most of the time I would consider this game to be a simple, almost guaranteed two points, but as Philly has proved before, there is no such thing as simple anymore. Yes, they have gotten leaps and bounds better in their past 5 games (I don't count the Ottawa game), but just as that Ottawa game showed, they can shit the bed quite easily. In all honestly, I really expect them to come out and beat the living crap out of Toronto to show that Ottawa game was a fluck.

I expect JVR to pot at least one, and Richards and Carter to each get at least one. My guess is a 5 to 2 Philly win with Leighton probably getting the start. Let's see something spectacular tonight Philly.

And.......here.......we.......go.......LET'S GO FLYERS!!!

Razor's Edge

Some of the big discussion right now is if Ray "Razor" Emery will be back this coming weekend. If this is so, he will be returning from surgery 2(!) weeks earlier than they projected for him. This is scaring the shit out of me. I would much rather sit here and watch Leighton and Boucher flop around like idiots than see Emery come back too early and go down in 2 or 3 games by re-aggravating the same injury such as the Flyers are known to do (see Gagne, Simon or Briere, Daniel).

Yes, I do believe we need Emery as soon as possible because no offense to Leighton or Boucher, they are not Emery. I also have extremely high expectations for Razor when he does come back. He looked very good at the beginning of the year when the Flyers actually looked like a cup contender; he also stole a few games when we needed him too. I also know he did fall apart shortly after the great start, but I personally blame all of that on the fact that even he said he was playing through pain and the injury, so he was probably playing at about 70%, which no goalie can look good doing.

Now, I could be completely wrong and he could have god like powers to be able to heal that fast, but it is still a worry sitting in the back of my head. I guess we will have to wait and see. Personal prediction, if he's coming back he will be in net on Thursday against the Pens. If not Thursday, it's almost a guarantee he will be in net on Saturday. Let's all hope for the best and pray to whatever the hell it is you people pray too that he will stay healthy and play at 100%.