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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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)

3/04 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!

Recap: March 1-2

March 1: Flyers v. NY Islanders

We won. Two points. Woo-hoo!


March 2: Flyers v. NY Rangers

We lost in the shoot-out. (What else is new?) One point. Yeah.


Back-to-back games with early afternoon start times? Yuck!

Next up: The Buffaslugs

11/08 Flyers vs. Diablos

Dear Guys,

Do it again! Start on fire and keep running all game long.

Love yas,
Nadine

Pre-game: MIA

Nope, I don't mean Miami International Airport this time.

• Gagne is out with a return of dizziness. (Jay Bouwmeester's hit or Gary Roberts' last night?)
• My Sami is out with a mild knee-sprain.

Stefan Ruzicka was called back up from the Phantoms. Guess this means the musical chairs line-shuffling will continue.

Marty's starting this game, too. Please let everyone be on fire again tonight so that he can relax as much as possible tonight.

Tonight's semi-live blogging will work like last night's...it's driven by the refresh button. I am once again observing all superstitions for away games.

First Period

Guys, c'mon. You want to PP not PK. Knuble got one. Yeah, we score first!

So, um, NO! Someone tell the Diablos WE are the team that scores back-to-back goals. All right, buckle down and make 'em pay on the scoreboard. I'm talking to you Lups, Carts and anybody else on the ice.

Will somebody please inform Upshall that you cannot do that, but particularly if you wear a Flyers sweater?

I am not even going to dignify that with a response. Can we fast-forward to the second now?

Second Period

Put the head case in! (Marty I still love ya, but jeez!) God, be there for Niittymäki.

Pookie at IPB assures me that the Devils never, ever score when the opposing team's starting goalie is pulled. I'm not putting my eggs in that basket.

Hey, we don't need to beat up on the Devils - just let Patty do it.

I miss Sami. We need his speed, his grit.

I see all the "I"s coming back out on the ice. Boys, roadtrips like this stink. It's true, but please suck it up and be a team.

Role Reversal

Normal circumstances:

• Philly would be on fire in the second.
• NJ would look like they're dead in the second.

Apparently neither team got that memo today.

Unfortunately, that concludes the semi-live blogging tonight. The dentist will be torturing me first thing in the morning. Must get my beauty sleep!