On Coach Stevens

One of the recent weekly topics over at HLOG was to write about our team's coach. So, for better or worse, here's my take - as of right now - on Coach John Stevens.

During the season that shall not be named, the Flyers waited eight games for eight straight losses, then revamped the GM and Coach. John Stevens moved from the Phantoms, our AHL team, across the parking lot to the big team.

For many, this seemed to be good move due to his history with the organization as 1.) a player for our AHL teams the Hershey Bears and the Philadelphia Phantoms, coincidentally with the latter as the captain during their 1998 Calder Cup championship win, and 2.) as a coach, when he led the Phantoms to their second Calder Cup in 2005.

Currently, I'm of two minds with regard to Johnny for one simple reason: he's too freakin' steady behind the bench! Why is this a problem?

Well, let me start with why I like Coach Stevens being so steady. Last season was awesome for Flyer fans! (Um, until February when everything when further south than an ice cube in the Sahara.) While much of that success came from the guys wearing the equipment and uniforms, another part was due to Stevens' consistency and support. Line shuffling, injuries, and - yes - suspensions happened, but Johnny stayed on-message. He reaffirmed the skills that needed to be developed and the areas that were strong.

But, darn it, he needed to call a few guys out for suckitude! In my view, that only happened once last season. And this is becoming more of my attitude for whatever is going down with the team this year...going down being the operative part of the description.

Honestly, getting the puck in the goal isn't our biggest issue at this point, if the scores from all those seven loses at the start of the season are anything to go by. (And, yes, they are!)

No, our issue is far more ironic than that: defense. Ironic for two simple reasons.

1.) It was our sticking point last season and it's playing out that way yet again.

Right as we headed into the regular season this year, we lost two players who I think could be key to our defense being successful during the 08-09 campaign: Ryan Parent and Randy Jones. And it's not like we lost them for a short time, a la Tiny!Briere. Nope, Parent is out 12-14 weeks and Jones was scheduled for 6-8 weeks.

Also, our defense not playing up to par in terms of positioning, speed, and sheer gutsy-ness means that our goalies are working harder and not as smartly.

2.) John Stevens was a defenseman.

Oy Vey!

Dear Hockey Gods,

Just let me get through this week at work and I'll be back on schedule here and HLOG. Promise!

In my show of good faith, I'm putting the down-time to some use: writing an HLOG piece, buying a ticket this week for an upcoming game and hoping that converts for a kick @$$ game post.

At any rate,

Flyers.Femme

2/21 Sharks v. Flyers

Dear Flyers,

Pardon the girlie, PMS-y question here, but I missed my telenovelas for that?!!?

I have some truly snarky comments I could make. I'm not going to do it tonight. (Tomorrow may be a different story.)

As painful as that game was for the fans, it has to have been 100 times worse for all of you and I just don't feel like crapping on you when everyone else will do it. I mean, I even feel sorry for Tiny!Briere right now.


Dear Flyers in-house, in-game promoters,

You should be ashamed of yourselves! You should have stuck that ice girl in any other jersey tonight.

Or are you trying to make the fans believe that you had no idea Briere will be booed harder by us in the Wachovia Center than by the Habs fans in the Bell Centre?


Dear Gentle Readers,

I can't even begin to dissect that game. My frustration level tonight was higher than the Nov. 17th Devils-induced blow-out I witnessed from Row 1 behind the goal.

Oh and I did something I have never done before: I left the game before it was over! If the Flyers weren't going to win, I wasn't going to miss my train home for it. Selfish I know, however, I'm 99.99% certain that my staying wouldn't have positively influenced the game's outcome for us.


Dear Mike Knuble,

Thanks for setting up that play and going for the goal. Loved it! (Way to pitch in Rosie and Richie.)

P.S.: The new haircut looks great on you. Did you go to the same place as Sami, Kimmo and Danny?


Dear God,

Please, help!

Also, please send enough crappy weather to give me a snow day tomorrow. I won't complain about the 5:30 a.m. wake-up call if it means I can go straight back to bed and start my weekend earlier.

Buckle Down

I didn't take notes during the game, largely because I ended up sitting next to Tina. She's nice and knows hockey every bit as well as her boyfriend, a former hockey player. We talked, found common ground on several points and made snarky comments in those moments that were just too painful to watch. (That "we" includes the boyfriend, too.)

The one outstanding positive of last night's game was Riley Cote's first NHL goal. Welcome to the club, Riley.

First Period

I loved the first period. It was exciting, high energy and seemed to last longer than the usual twenty minutes. Kovalev scored, but so what? That's what he does for the Habs. Of course, Richie put one in short-handed and that's what he does for us.

Things that made me want to scream:

Begin's hit on Tolpenko. I like Denis! We'd just gotten him back from a separated shoulder and time spent with the Phantoms. Now he's out with a mild concussion. (The second one of the home-and-home since Downie's out with one also.)

Vandermeer's mental lapse. Requires no explanation at all.

I wasn't too disappointed with the score at the end of the first.

Second Period

The second period seemed to start off with a bang, thanks to Coby's goal in his first game back from the Pain in the @$$.

Things that made me want to scream:

Cary Price. Kid is on his game and that's on fire right now.

Five power plays that don't result in a goal. Four of them were consecutive. Everyone was thinking too hard or telegraphing the shot by taking too much time to line it up. Oh, and Briere was mincing in and causing everyone to slow down.

Creating a 5-3 penalty kill. Self-explanatory when playing anyone, but particularly the Habs.

Third Period

Frustration City. Niitty made some amazing saves throughout the night.

Things that made me want to scream:

The best display of consistent inconsistency in the NHL continues to be the officiating by the referees, something I think all fans - regardless of team colors - can agree on.

We'll see what happens on Tuesday against Ottawa. I'll be present for the Sharks game on Thursday.

Until then, have fun hockey fans!

Revancha: Habs v. Flyers

Dear Guys,

You were firing on all cylinders last night. It was just Cary Price's night for a shut-out.

Fan Appreciation Night

Right, Comcast-Spectacor can appreciate me by pulling my seat number for one of the better prizes of the night, i.e., don't give me the Lukoil Gas thing since I don't have a car! (And if you do, give me a chance to exchange it.) One of the Flyers-related prizes would be best; however, I'm never fortunate enough to land any prizes.

Of course, the best way to appreciate me as a fan is with a win.

Note to the NHL and Referees

My optimism has ended. I really tried to keep it alive. However, you mercilessly destroyed it. So...

I dare you to call a penalty on hits to the face/head and issue a suspension on someone who doesn't wear a Flyers uniform!

I.triple.dog.dare.you!

(Whether or not the Flyers are playing in that game is immaterial at this point. You've bypassed at least one "two-for" already.)

Boulerice gets 25

Color me totally not shocked. I completely agree with this suspension as well.

While on the surface I seem to be breaking from other Flyers fans, you shouldn't be surprised. I myself have been the recipient of two traumatic facial injuries. Another family member bears the leftovers of a basal skull fracture from being hit in the head.

This is serious stuff people, so I have an excessively low tolerance level for professional athletes that do it on purpose. (And, yes, both instances were on purpose.)

What is shocking is Jesse Boulerice's lack of control and of support for his team. When you play competitive sports, you play as a unit - always!

To paraphrase Deirdre Martin, hockey players are like warriors. They have a code of honor within the team. You break it, you pay for it. The price is bringing shame and dishonor on your brothers, which can result in being shunned by your teammates because you've proved that you really don't have their backs after all.

Unlike some of the irrational, old school, reliving the 1970s B.S.B. fans, I don't believe the NHL has it in for the Flyers and is punishing us any harder. I think we have two players on our team that gave them two really good opportunities in a two week span.

Coach, time to dig out those training materials and review them with everyone again. Captain, time to make the landscape abundantly clear.

P.S. to Colin Campbell: Don't forget to check out the tape of Tootoo and Weller. You have another suspension-worthy situation there. just think, two for the price of one!

Yeah! & Grr!

Good: We beat the Canucks. Final score was 8-2. (Looks more like a Cleveland Indians score!)

Also good: It feels like fall...in fall. Temps in the 90s in October is not nice. It's also not hockey weather. So, yeah mother nature!

Bad. Very, very, very BAD: Jesse. Come on! Wwhat was that all about? Are you completely oblivious to the suspension already visiting our team? Do the guys in communications really need more work?

I don't think so.

Like another individual, you let your small brain do the thinking, and it left a small child in charge. Grow up. And I really, sincerely hope coach and the other guys let you have it the whole ride home from BC. (And, yes, you deserve the suspension that you expect to be coming your way.)

[Climbing up from my rant-pit...the acoustics are much better than standing on a soapbox]

Only one full day remains between me and my...our...the regular season home opener. Stop by 224 and say hi.

If you plan to be at the Devils game on the 18th, I'll be checking out the view from 206.