4/03: Flyers v. Leafs

Yes, I attended last night's game. It was a last-minute decision on my part. Right now, I'm hoarse and putting together a write-up for any Gentle Readers I might still have. Check back later today.

However, to the row of Leafs fans in section 221 last night: It was nice to have you there last night. Thanks for keeping a good attitude. Way to pitch in on the yelling. Come back any time.

Okay, I'm back a day later than I expected. Sue me.

This is going to be a brief run down of impressions from the game since I no longer take notes at the games.

Thanks, Flyers, for winning another one while I was in attendance. It's a rare sight for me this season, but I truly appreciated.

After an 8-5 final score, once again, I want all talk of increased goal size or smaller goalie equipment banished. Some nights you're going to have a low-scoring game and sometimes you won't. Deal with it, NHL.

How interesting was that first period? I couldn't believe it when I saw tape-to-tape passing. Even I was a little overwhelmed with that 5-0 score at the end of the first. But, as co-workers Brandon and Justin could tell you, I wasn't ready to chirp at the Leafs fans about it because we've blown leads before.

No disrespect meant to the former Darth Gerber, but he looked a little like Swiss cheese on Friday. Somewhat fitting, considering he is Swiss. Personally, I think he's suffering without the flat black helmet.

Jeff Carter's hat trick was awesome. I can't tell you how nice it was to be there for that milestone, especially considering who was in attendance and knowing the smack he talks about Blondie. Peaked my @$$.

In summary, I'm bummed that I can't get 'ritas at the games any more, but glad I attended another game this season and it was a win.

Limiting my online time to enjoy the weekend,
Flyers.Femme
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Wins All-Around

Just a couple of reflections:

• Why is the orange not showing on my blog when I access it lately? Argh.
• Co-worker Justin made a bet with co-worker Brandon re: the number of goals Blondie would have for the remainder of the season. Justin lost.
• I harbor no love for the Pens. It's true. But I loved that last game as much as their fans loved the last one in the Wachovia Center.
• Jersey Marty...WTH? Dude looked like his skates froze in the goal snow at one point last night.
• How sucky is it that they broke out the black home jerseys for last night's game? When I was not there. I was just bemoaning that at the Rangers game.

Tiny!Briere: I complain about you. I still feel the organization overpaid for you, particularly considering the amount of injury time. But just like you redeemed yourself last season with the shootout goal in Buffalo at -24, last night's goal was so pretty. Way to skulk around Jersey Marty.

Scott Hartnell: From one curly-haired citizen to another, you freakin' rock! Thanks for stopping the dribbling puck. In my opinion, that's the best play of the season, so far.

Enjoying hockey so much more,
Flyers.Femme
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3/14 Flyers v. Ran-juhs!

Evil Blue Shirts Visit Philly Wearing White

Side rant: Gotta say that I don't understand that one. Sure, my team wears orange at home right now. But what's with the lack of blue Ranger jerseys?

Was one of the refs assigned to the match-up blue-orange color blind?

Pre-Game Activity: Fan Gear Pilgrimage

Not knowing if I'll be able to attend another game in person, it was time to use the $75 worth of gift cards received for Christmas from C.B. The Fan Gear store at the Wachovia Center is always an experience.

Do I shop in the youth section or the women's section? That answer is usually driven by two factors:

• How many pink and Swarovski-bedazzled items are visible in the women's section?
• How much black stuff is available in the youth section?

Today, I actually shopped in the women's section. Yes, there were a few pink items. Thankfully, it wasn't a whole wall's worth!

In the end, I settled on a black zip-up hoodie for free - using said gift cards - and a distressed cap for $25. Yeah, that's a lot for a frayed hat. But it was cute and my hair fits under it!

Main Event: A Win!

Co-worker Justin and I met up following my shopping spree. We found our seats, settled in early, and watched the warm-ups. (Once again, thanks D.L. for the tickets, and Erica for letting J-man out of the house.)

Gentle Readers, this has been a sucky season for me attending games. The guys usually lose, sometimes deservedly so and other times due to what I'll call "it made sense in a parallel universe" factors. (Yeah, you, Martin Biron.)

Marty scared me with that first Ranger goal and I wasn't sure what to expect for a short time after it. Thankfully, it didn't last. He played well throughout the game, made some spectacular and entertaining saves, kept the rebounds to a manageable level, and made a few people confident enough to try and jinx him in the last five minutes of the third.

Jeff Carter had several attempts but never planted a puck in the net for a goal, something that made Justin happy and disappointed me. However, on one of those misses, Scott Hartnell followed the rebound and did score our first goal of the game.

Captain Richie hustled around, made a goal, and spent some time in the sin bin. Arron Asham, on the other hand, had two goals in the game and looked very happy with both of them.

Halfway through the second I shared with Justin that something felt off. Shortly afterwards, the lastest round of Cote v. Orr started and I knew what it was.

Shocking (Gasp!)

I must say I was a bit amused by the crowd's reaction to Avery. He is a polarizing figure and I knew he'd be harassed. I thought the teeny-bopper girls cheering him on next to Justin was an interesting contrast to the dad-son-uncle crew behind us have an after-school special style conversation on selfishness and the concept of being a team.

Final Word

Yesterday's game was amusing, entertaining, and fun. But, I must admit that while the Flyers may be ranked as the most intimidating fans and able to affect the outcome of a game in player surveys, we do not do this as well as another Atlantic Division team's fans in the Nassau Coliseum:

[Insert Chicken Dance song and at the pause yell]: "Rangers suck!"

Bring on today's half of the home-and-home. Best of luck to the guys.

Still enjoying an in-person win,
Flyers.Femme

P.S.: Co-worker Justin, here's the Hextall tribute video.
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Aaaahhhh!

Dear Gentle Readers,

Personal crisis: Not over. Is that a problem? Sure, in the grand scheme of things, it is. In terms of today, nope.

First Things First

BIG thanks to D.L. for the gift of today's Battle of Pennsylvania tickets to me and co-worker Justin. Additional thanks to Justin's wife, E., who is cool enough to let him attend today's game as well as the mid-March Rangers game to which D.L. gave us tickets. Both of you are awesome!

Justin: You did a good job today. I wish we had been able to see a Richie v. Cindy throw-down like the one I saw last season. That would have made the game even better, although the fight in the audience was interesting.

What I Learned Today

Dear Hockey,

It's true, my life has been stress-filled lately. I have totally taken our relationship for granted. I haven't been contributing. I'm sorry.

I know that I cannot go two-plus months without seeing a live game again. If for nothing other than my own mental sanity, I have to be surrounded by an electrifying audience, watching the guys pound each other, and seeing goals scored in real time.

It felt so good to be at the game today, in spite of the loss. (More on that later.) My February is so much better now.

Battle of Pennsylvania Face-Off

This isn't going to be anywhere near as detailed as other post-game posts because I didn't have my paper for taking notes. Oh, and I committed to just watching the game. So, here goes...

Marty, Marty, Marty. You are banned from harem considerations if that happens again. What was that? Why did it seem like a good idea?

'Cause from 116, 17, 8, it looked like an eight year old goalie really wanted to touch the puck outside the crease and trapezoid and then butterfingered it right to an opposing player so that the NHL Spokesbot could bury it in the net you abandoned when the game was tied - again - in the late stages of the third period.

Lups, Richie, Cobie, Knubs: Thank you for those goals. I loved each one. Way to work the score board and keep us in the game.

Annoying Yinzers who tried to steal Shawn's spotlight: I'd love to rip you really good but I think you heard enough at the game. And probably after it, too.

Kerry Fraser: Creative as always, though not nearly as interesting as in his helmet-less days. Does he still buy Aqua Net in bulk?

Fighting dudes in the stands who upstaged the game that was in progress: Whoa! A couple of somebodies need to take a few chill pills. Jeez! It's just a game. Okay, a hockey game, but a game nonetheless.

Promising to be a good fangirl from now on,

Flyers.Femme

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Flightless Blackbirds Return

Battle of PA: First Showing in Philly

The 2008-09 Battle of Pennsylvania has been a bit one-sided this season. The Pens won the first two bouts in overtime and a shoot-out, respectively. While no loss is nice, and these kind doubly-suck, at least we gained a point in each one. (Please do not interpret that as my acceptance nor endorsement of doing away with the tie. It isn't.)

This afternoon, the Flyers continued the trend of beating the Pens in the Wachovia Center, to the tune of 6-3. I guess the guys didn't feel like they sufficiently proved themselves in the comeback on Thursday.

Today's win puts the Flyers at 6-1-3 against Atlantic Division foes. It also had them two points behind the Rangers prior to their match-up with the Whalercanes tonight (which the Evil Blue Shirts won in a five-round shoot-out).

Up next, the Sakic-less Avs. (And you really must go read Margee's post about him on SportSquee...see the HLOG links to go there.)

Keep the wins coming,
Flyers.Femme
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What the...?

When Track Records Bite, er, Hurt

Last season we had a bunch of repeat offender injuries: self-inflicted tears to major leg muscles by The Mikes, any number of groin pulls, several non-specific upper and lower body injuries, and quite a few concussions (yes, more than Simon's three). Then there is the granddaddy of them all as far as yours truly is concerned...the puck to the face.

Last season, two of my faves ended up with 25 and 50+ stitches in the face after being blasted. Last night, Ossi Vaananen and Luca Sbisa took 'em in the face. Granted, their outcomes were nothing like dear Sami nor anything remotely approximating Coburn in the FPoW final.

All I can say is thank God, but please make it stop! Do you have any idea how hard it is to be at the game and try to avoid all the screens showing the replay in a building with "Welcome to Comcast Country" emblazoned on the walls? *Shudder*

12/04 v. NJD at Home

Really, it was not as thrilling as I would have liked it to be. I'm sure the Devils fans love the outcome.

My (new) favorite Finn scored the first goal on an unassisted slapshot in the second. It was a thing of beauty.

Not so beautiful? Upshall checking himself into the boards to start the third. He made up for it by slipping a wrister in with about 4:30 left in the game. That's when the nail biting started...y'know, if I bit my nails.

I feel as if, sometimes, the Flyers are...hesitant...to win a game outright. Like they really have to go into OT for it to count, which is so not the case because the other team gets at least a point and there's a 50-50 shot that we don't win.

That's what happened last night. Next time, try not to give them all freakin' day to set up, 'kay?

Kudo to my second favorite Finn: Kukkie, I love when you put your body on the line like that! And was that you being a teensy, little bit lippy on the way to the box? :)

In Other Hockey-Centric News

• A six game suspension. (Oh, and therapy. Don't forget therapy!) Here's hoping the Stars level even more punishment to the tally (games out, pay, whatever...just so it's more).
• A six game suspension for that (plus the other total crap spewed this season so far)? When the average suspension for a head shot is either three or four games? I'll repeat my comment to a post on HLOG now:

In all seriousness, I'm for the NHL growing a pair, using their collective brain power, sorting their shite out, and getting some real process for suspensions. This arbitrary crap is tweaking my last nerve, so maybe I'll suspend them for the cumulative bother. :p

End of rant.

So, I'll just be hanging in my humble abode (it really is), prepping for my open house next Friday, and chillin' to a game tomorrow night on a local TV station that is not a proprietary sports channel for The (New) Evil Empire.

Making merry one driving punk song at a time,
Flyers.Femme
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Welcome to the Harem

Blondie Addition, er, Edition

Jeff Carter is the leading contender to be the 2008-09 season Hot B**** for the Flyers. Let's recap:

• It started with the step-up-and-be-the-man play when the big names were out injured in The Season That Rocked!
  
• Then, there was the best-kept playoff beard of the NHL. (No Beowulf imitation in sight.)
  
• Up next, contract signage over the summer.
• Now, he's leading the team in goals, having racked up two more tonight (one unassisted!).
  

For these more than acceptable reasons, Blondie, you've clearly earned your entry into the 2008-09 Flyers.Femme Hockey Harem line-up. While you aren't the first entry, you are the first forward to be honored this season.

Simon, just one more goal, 'kay? Way to work an assist in tonight!

Tonight's Game v. Buffalo

Thanks also go out to the following guys for tonights 3-0 victory over the BuffaSlugs:

• Scott Hartnell
• Andrew Alberts
• Kimmo Timonen
• Andreas Nodl

Gentle Readers

You've got a day or so to weigh in on my December ticket purchase. Which two would you want to see? (Last time I looked at the results, los Diablitos and the Avalanche are "winning.")




Kickin' back and takin' it easy!
Flyers.Femme
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What Next?

Earlier this week

Okay, we lost against the Pens. I'm taking refuge in the fact that we picked up a point from that game.

We'll see what happens with tonight's game against the Habs. Frankly, I just can't scare up a lot of enthusiasm for it.

Tonight's Match-Up

End of First Period

Thanks, Comcast, for showing tonight's game on a non-proprietary channel. So nice to actually see a game on TV in the land where your company is based without exchanging my first-born child for a cable contract.

Well, we lead in penalties, but the score is tied at nil.

And how effed up is it that Kukkie's on waivers and playing center for the second game in row since it happened? In related news, Kristin's taking bets on how soon we see a leadership change behind the bench.

End of Second Period

• Mike K. footage with work on eye: 100% visible F-bomb drop on the replay, and in slow motion, too.
• Kimmo defends Marty, and looks a little mouthy doing it.
• Scottie pushes one in. Thanks, Richie and Alberts.
• Marty makes a play that looks a little like FPoW semis last season. (Sorry, FHF.)
• Seriously, another few? Impressive!
• Blondie! Thanks, Gags and Coby! (Sorry, FHF.)

End of Third Period

Hey, we won in Montreal! Other than the 2007-08 FPoW semis, when was the last time that happened?

Biron was on his game, the D did its job, and the forwards even put their bodies on the line to hold onto the lead. Good job, guys! Now, go hop on the plane, sleep if you can, and gear back up for tomorrow night against the Thrash.

Hockey Harem 2008-09

I've decided to rebuild the harem each season. Right now, there's a population of two and it's completely skewed to defensemen:

• Braydon Coburn
• Kimmo Timonen

¡Buenas noches!
Flyers.Femme
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Thanks!

It's a two-for!

Part I: Guys, thanks for winning today. Props to Tiny!Briere, Richie (dear captain) and Timonen (my new favorite Finn).

Part II: Dudes at FlyerFlies.com and FanBunker.com, wow! A little positive peer pressure will keep me working on the blog as my schedule starts to revert back to its normal, crazy pace. (Y'know, as opposed to the abnormal one of late.)


And in other news...

1. If you haven't heard Braydon Coburn's Nov. 4 interview with La Greca and Hradek yet, run over the Flyers website, scroll down to the NHL news links area, and do it. Yes, I'm completely biased about Coby. No, I don't see any problem with that.

Only regret: I wish I could land an interview with him for my podcast when I resurrect it. *Sigh*

2. Watch for an upcoming poll to vote on which game I shall attend next. Unfortunately, it won't be until early December. (Mom has to work Turkey Day, so the family will not be meeting up in my 725 square-foot, two-bedroom apartment. Drat!)

3. There are new HLOGers! The Couch Tarts repping the S.J. Sharks and Kat covering the St. Louis Blues.

¡Hasta la vista!
Flyers.Femme
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Tshirt Selection

Richards = Must-Buy

You voted. Looks like I'm buying at least Richie's Tshirt this season.

Here are the poll results:

Timonen - 2 votes (I am shocked! He's out top D-man.)
Richards - 6 votes (I am totally not shocked about this result.)
Niittymäki - 1 vote
Biron - 2 votes
Kukkonen - 2 votes
Lupul - 3 votes (Finny or Tamika, were you here?)
Carter - 2 votes

Apparently, there are a few of you who agree with SportSquee's Margee's assessment of Richie as the 07-08 season's Most Awesomely Responsible-Looking Boyfriend.

A Plague I Tell You

Bad house-keeping strikes again!

You know, there's nothing like a few days off when you're hot. Time to relax. Time to get over some of those little aches and pains.

Time for you to pencil in a loss.

Marty: Get sticky again.
Nitty: Practice really hard. And pray that we haven't keep you sitting so long that you go colder than the northern-most point in Finland on the winter solstice.

Defensemen: Malkin. That's warning #2 about him. (I mean it!)
Offense: Thank you, Richie. Way to pitch in on both of them, R.J.

I'm taking refuge in the fact that the guys have dropped the first game in the past two series as well.


P.S.: Ribeiro, Ribeiro, Ribeiro. You just made my Habs friends so happy!

P.P.S.: What is the deal with the 7:30 p.m. start times? Bring back 7:00 p.m.!

Total Bollocks!

Happy 26th!

I'm not going to lie. Yes, I'm happy we won tonight.

But it totally sucks because it signals the end of the banter with the Four Habs Fans and their comment-crazy readers!

See labels for tonight's key players.

Final Score: Flyers 6, Habs 4
Series closed: Flyers 4 games, Habs 1 game

Sucks, I tell you!

4/30 Habs v. Flyers

Once upon a time, I lived in South America, where el fútbol is king. So, Habs fans, I am not ripping this off of you guys...I'm borrowing it from soccer:

Olé, olé, olé, olé.
Olé. Olé.

Guys, have a fun time in the Bell Centre. Best of luck to you. You're going to need it.

Final score: Flyers 4, Habs 2 (¡Híjole!)

Jeez!

Home of deep dish pizza, the Cubbies (my NL fave), and my other favorite "tribe," the Blackhawks.

Q. You go away for a few days. What happens?
A. The Flyers decide to beat the Habs, at home.

Honestly, guys. I was fine with the OT loss on Thursday. I didn't expect an OT situation, least of all in MTL, so yeah!

But beating them on Saturday in front of their own fans when - by all accounts - you played like the lesser team (well, except you Marty...you apparently got all the goalie mojo that night)?

Niiiiice!*

We'll see how Price recovers from that game and whether he can continue to be Montreal's TFS (tm by FHF).


*Blondie: Find the people who investigated Miss Puerto Rico's claims of pepper in her dress and present them with every one of your sticks. This cannot continue...it smacks of tampering or poor construction/design.

Are You Kidding?!!!!?

Dudes, I can't look! Literally.

• I refuse to give Comcast any more money than they already have. (Philly is your home base, so we should get our cable for free!)
• It's an away game, so I can't even listen to the radio feed. (Damned superstitions! And thanks to my former goalie brother getting me started on the stupid things...argh!)
• The game summary auto-refresh is a killer. I only check it when I know a period is done.

So what's a fan to do when it's Game 7 of Round 1 and you see the final score is 2-2?

Don't know, still figuring it out, and continuing the "Please, Dear God" Flyers litany. Jesus Christ, help a homegirl out down here, 'kay?

Final Score: Flyers 3, Caps 2

A.) No Zilla. I am not happy, Boudreau.
B.) WE WON!
C.) Does this mean we have to play the Habs?

4/15 Caps v. Flyers

Ryan, Fran & Eric:

To quote the title of an Oasis tune, "What's the Story (Morning Glory)?"

Final Score: Flyers 6, Caps 3

And, dudes, it was awesome! See you tomorrow evening for a full report after work!


P.S.: FHF, I knew the Habs could stick it to the Broons for another game in the series! But a win on a Breezer goal? How did that happen?

Live! Tuesday Night!

Dear Gentle Readers,

First, congratulations to the Biron family.

Second, I'll be visiting section 111 tomorrow night.

Third, I'll be wearing some orange tomorrow night but not a lot. I look like crap in it, so I'm digging out as much BLACK as I can. (Read: I don't want to hear any snide remarks for not playing along with the PR scheme...I may be a fan but I refuse to look awful at the game!)

Ryan: See you there! I'll be at the Pavilion as close to 5 pm as possible for my pre-game 'ritas.

Versus: If that email is for real and you're moving to Philadelphia, how 'bout hiring the female blogger rather than asking me to promote your relocation? Just a thought.

Ciao!
Nadine

4/04 Devils v. Flyers

Pulled: Brodeur (Gasp!)

Yep, it's childish. Watching the game last night, when Jersey Marty was pulled, I stood up and shouted "Nah, nah, nah, na-nah!"

Because is there anything quite so pretty as a the Devils being shut-out in Philly before a throng of fans dressed in black and orange?

No, there is not!

Game Break-Down

Dude, we won. Carolina lost! Washington lost! That means the Flyers are in the play-offs...yes!

Let me just say this to everyone who gave me their condolences on Philadelphia not making the cut because we lost on Wednesday in Pittsburgh: Whatever! I accepted the media's dire predictions and co-workers' and friends' repetition of the gloomy "news" because I didn't want to make you feel bad about the displays of ignorance.

The reality was that it was still too tight to predict what would happen with subsequent games by the Whalercanes, the Caps and the Flyers. Yes, I accepted the possibility that we wouldn't get in (and would have been okay with that). I knew we were facing our two most hideous opponents in these final games. I'm more than familiar with the "history" of Devils games this season.

It didn't matter; I kept hope alive. I even dredged up the fact that we had shut-out the Devils before and our play in Pittsburgh indicated that it was a possibility this time, too.

Final Score: Flyers 3, Diablitos 0

Re: Wednesday's loss to the Pens in The Burgh

They only lost because I wasn't there. I originally planned to sacrifice vacation days and hard-earned credit for a trip to the land of flightless blackbirds. Review the (labeled) posts: The Flyers haven't lost to the Penguins for any game that I planned to attend and went to this season. :p

Next Up: Final Regular Season Game

Final Installment: 2008 Battle of Pennsylvania (Regular Season Edition)
Wachovia Center
Sunday, April 6, 2008
3:00 p.m. (ET)

3/25 Flyers v. Rangers

Dudes, I can't look!

We're facing the Evil blue-shirted Rangers again. (God, why won't you make them go away?!?)

Sure, we beat them in a shoot-out last time. I'm still trying to figure out how that happened. Having Richie back and Cartsie still stepping it up does not equal a shoot-out turn-around of that magnitude. Must be all that game sitch practice, perhaps combined with a hex on Valiquette.

But so freakin' what?

I'm once again avoiding tonight's game in hopes that observing an away game superstition will contribute some positivity...so cue up the funky Stevie Wonder track.

Blog Pimpage, Flyers-Style

Ryan, I hope you're tuned in or in attendance. Loved all the posts from my hiatus! Keep up the fun.

Kristin, I agree! Gator, back to the Devils? That's so wrong on so many levels.

Completely, Unapologetically Off-Topic

The Jones Brothers performed A-Ha's classic "Take On Me" on tonight's Dancing with the Stars...someone was seriously off. Kids, please don't mess up my childhood memories like that!

Must go get original Norwegian 80s pop music track now to combat that sound.

Two Points; Richie Promoted

Final Score: Flyers 2, Rangers 1 OT

3/04 Sabres v. Flyers

Congratulations

Derian and Heather Hatcher and family on the arrival of their new daughter, Finley.

Oh no!

Briere's out with a minor shoulder sprain and listed day-to-day.

Batten Down the Hatches

We're taking on the BuffaSlugs, who have something to prove. They're slumping with four losses in the past five games. Crunchy (aka Ryan Miller) has been ridden hard over the past 19 games and starts tonight. Oh, and they want our #8 spot.

Game Stuff

C'mon! Why not just start the game with a shoot-out? I don't know that Pominville could have scored faster that way, but whatever. Why must we come from behind? And there goes another one, this time by Afinogenov. *sigh*

Hey, a four-on-four. What say we make-believe it's a power play?

Upshall: Score! (And more points for Timonen and Carter.)

HUGE scrum with 26 seconds left. After sorting out the penalties, we get the better of the sitch.

Personal Appeal: Bowl-of-Rice and Cote, tempting as it may be to scratch your itch with Kaleta, please do not do it! We're down in this game, we're battling to stay in the play-offs and we need to play smart hockey right now. Repeat: Don't do it.

Upshall makes a large hit on Tallinder. Tally-Ho is slow getting up and perhaps a little fruit-loopy.

Downie: Score! (Yeah Sami on the assist! Also pulling down a point, Modry.)

Argh!