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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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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Puck's Shot: Obviously!

No Surprises in The Announcement

Mike Richards stepped into an "A" last season in a vote of confidence from coaching and management. After leading the team in scoring and being named the Most Awesomely Responsible-Looking Boyfriend by SportSquee for the 2007-08 season, it was time for his promotion to the "C." (And SportSquee's now featured him as the epitome of the Home Depot Husband.)

Simon Gagne wore an "A" last season while he played, too. As long as we keep him and he contributes to the bottom line, he'll stay in the running for a leadership role on the team.

Kimmo Timonen wore the "A" in 2007-08 when Gags was out. No surprise here, but lots of happiness and "about darn times" in Casa Flyers.Femme.


P.S.: I may have to reconsider the Richie Tshirt purchase this season. I like to go for less obvious selections, and with his captaincy confirmed, everybody and his/her grandmother will be buying that one.

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.

Game Recap: Caps v. Flyers

First Things First

Can you say "meet-up?" The always cool Kristin, stunning Ryan, Fran and Eric, and I all caught up to one another at last night's game. Freakin' amazing! Something tells me I've got to make time for a Flyers game in NYC next year...

Shout-Out

To: Patrick Thoresen's friends who came over from Norway for the game last night and sat next to me.

Down to Business

Nadine + Kristin + Ryan, Fran and Eric + the Norwegians = Most Auspicious Pre-Game This Season

Q. Could the night be any better?
A. Yes!

Just in case you missed it, we beat the Caps 6-3, Sami scored a goal, Richie acted like his penalty shot was his first goal ever, Tiny!Briere earned his paycheck BIG time, Knuble is the Flyers best-scoring cheer leader, and Hartsie wracks one in to lend credibility to the play-off beard and 'fro.

Scare of the Game: Kimmo Timonen leaving the game injured. Thankfully, he says he's fine and will play on Thursday.

Honestly, this was as much fun to watch as the last Devils game! Even though Gary Bettman was in attendance, I don't think his abyss-like powers had any pull last night.

Guys, as Dorie would say, "Just keep swimming!"

2/19 Flyers v. Sens

Random Thoughts

Because I just can't manage anything else right now:

Vandermeer...as a winger? I am so confused. He hasn't caused enough problems on the back end that we have to put him up front now? I take it back, that scares me.

Kukkie...ouch! And Biron goes down. Both guys stay in the game.

Briere that's just one reason why you're -21! It's treasonous, I know, but I was over him when management brought him on-board. He hasn't looked Briere-like since the season opening road trip. Fewer of his jerseys at future games, please.

Kiiiimmooooo! A defenceman scores a SHG. I love it. I believe he's adopted the F this S attitude that I mentioned we need. (Thank you!)

Upshall (deflection while trying to get out of the way) and Dowd have put us back in the game.

Hey refs, nice non-call on all the slashing during Cartsie's break-away!

Go, Habs, Go!

Brian, et al. in the booth: You guys are going to kill me! Shut up!

Biron goes down again. Jeez!

Guys: I'll attempt to speak for all fans saying we will so take that one point, thank you. But, we must ask, where were you for the first two periods?

Should I stay or should I go: It's a shoot-out. We don't do those. I'll know once I hear who's in (or out, as the case could be).

Alfie missed? Wow! Giroux, nice move.

Vermette, darn! Timonen, YES!

Spezza, ugh! Briere...no!!!! Why? Stevens, what were you thinking? He's totally snake-bit. He's -21! A shoot-out is not the place to try and fix that.

Off-topic note: There was a Boston Medical Group erectile dysfunction commercial during the first period. Eeeewwwww! Where are Always, Platex, Kotex and Stay-Free when a fangirl needs them?

1/16 Panthers v. Flyers

First Intermission

I don't care what happens in the next two periods. Four goals by four different guys (Kimmo, Simon, Danny and Scott) makes me smile three out of four times.

Guys, that being said, please play like you are on fire, 'kay? Thanks!

Second Intermission

Dudes, that wasn't quite the "on fire" I meant. Please check yourselves before you come back on the ice.

After some reflection, here are the keys to the third:

1. No unnecessary penalties against us. (None would be optimal, guys.)
2. No sloppy plays, Hatch. You've been around too long to do that.
3. Act like our blue line is your baby sister's virginity: Post a "No Trespassing" sign and lock it down.

Third Period Reflections

So, no, I'm not a Briere fan. But in a game like tonight's, I really don't mind his empty-net goal. Good on him, because insurance is nice to have.

And it's about time we win at home.

I'm calling Kimmo Timonen as a star of the game (1 G, 2 A). My other two votes go to Niitty and that Vokoun guy - just to show that I can be a good fan of the winning team. However, Richie is awarded the third star, which was the more likely scenario with his two assists.

Shameless Plug: Vote!

Fellow HLOGer Sherry's Scarlett Ice is nominated for "Best Sports Blog" in the Canadian Blog Awards. Congratulations, Sherry!

Now, I don't know if this is allowed. If not, I'll claim ignorance of the process by reason of being from the U.S.A. Anyway, voting is open but you can only vote once. Please consider casting one for Sherry.

Welcome back: Hatch & Kimmo

Defense Is Back

Yeah! Hatch is back! Kimmo is back!

See, Randy Jones was missing both his boys against the Bad News Bears. (Yeah, Kimmo played but he was also hurt that night, too.) Now Randy has them both back.

What's a guy to do? Stick with Kimmo for now, because I have nominated you for Co-Presidents of Defense.

Personally, I think it would be really cool to see Hatch with Coburn...it looks like matching 6'5" bookends!

11/28 Flyers v. 'Canes

I know I didn't really call that Hatcher and Timonen would score tonight in writing, but I did welcome them back. So I'm calling in two HLOG predictions come true with their goals...because my best wishes were sent their way.

Knuble decides 0:33 into the third is too long to not have a goal credited to the Flyers' part of the scoreboard. So he works it out with Richie and Lups to put one in the basket.

Points (Show-down) Update: With his two assists tonight, Richie is tied again with Briere at 30 each.

Final Score: Flyers 3, Canes 1

Severe case of Whineritis

Summary for the Flyers: Round 2
Summary for the Penguins: Rematch

Cindy Crybaby, er, Crosby brought his show the the Wachovia Center last night. And even though we had to contend with Kerry Fraser's unique reffing style, he didn't fall for Cindy's tricks.

But it was funny to watch.

Pre-Game

HLOGers in attendance: Kristin, Teka and I

Ryan: I had a 'rita just for you. (Kristin and I think you should strongly consider coming to the Devils' game next Saturday. Amtrak runs a lot of times between here and NYC.)

First Period

I was a tiny bit concerned for the guys going into the game, only because they had one day off between games. At the same time, I hoped they'd show more of the hustle we saw when they played the Pens earlier in the week.

Set your tempo. You're at home. Play your man.

And they did! 1:31 is all it took for Kimmo Timonen to score his first Flyers goal on the power play. Assists were by Briere and Lupul. (During the game, this goal was attributed to Knuble at first. Why are the goal judges not behind the goals again?)

Malone and Gator start mouthing at one another. Ryan, don't play with Gator, okay? He has that name for a reason and he might bite off more than you can afford to lose.

At 7:51 Mike Knuble puts the puck in at least twice before the goal is called. (See, this wouldn't happen if the goal judges were sitting in their former seats.) Assists were by Briere and Timonen.

By the way, no offense meant, but watching the post-goal on-ice mini-celebration, I just realized how long Knuble's schnoz is!

At the end of the period, Flyers out-shot the Pens 10-7. We don't seem to make as many shots as others, so I was glad to see we could out-shoot another team.

Second Period

How annoying is the "PECO Power Play?" How about a normal one? I like that much better. Either way, Lups scores 5:40 into the second on one. Assists were by Richie and Timonen.

For most of the night, Marty has Malkin's number. He basically looks right at Malkin every time he snags one of Malkin's shots. But at 8:39, one gets by. My reaction as the Pens fans around me celebrate: Whatev.

I sat back for most of the second and just enjoyed the game.

At the end of the period, Marty and the guys clear the puck into the Pens' zone. Flower sends it back into our end, and Gonchar rips it into the net at 19:59. All of my neighbors are happy. I'm not very worried about it. There's a whole third period to go.

Kristin messages me that the seat next to Teka is empty. I move to Row 5 for the third.

Third Period

How to sum up the period: Both teams settle in for a fast-paced, almost eight-minute game of ping pong before really accomplishing anything. I'm not overly worried about the score, but insurance would be nice.

As if the guys in the sound booth have been reading here, someone kicks Briere in the pants and he scores. That's Danny's first home goal this season. Sadly, no theme song, even though the horn sounded suspiciously longer and louder than for other goals.

At some point well past halfway through the period, Crosby starts acting...really hard. He tries to draw something against Gator. Gator yells at him. Because I'm in Row 5 I can hear him bellow, but not clearly enough to hear what exactly Gator says. Darn!

Play cycles around a little more and Cindy takes the most dramatic, flying, fetal-crumpled, self-induced plow into the boards that I've seen since Dustin Davis crying foul in soccer games as a youth. (I know that most of you Gentle Readers don't understand that frame of reference, but Eli does.)

Thankfully, he hits with his well-padded, um, behind. ;P

Some of the other Pens looked a little miffed about this one. Like it's not accomplishing anything, and it isn't. Cindy drops a few F-bombs when it becomes apparent that no one is going to be sent to the box.

This leads to what could have been the mother-of-all Battle of Pennsylvania smack-downs in the last two minutes of the game. The refs try to break it up and essentially do.

But while everyone is picking up their stuff and preparing to resume play, Braydon Coburn is laughing about this attempt to scrum that the refs denied both teams. Malone, being somewhat stupid, intentionally shoulders into Coburn while he's coasting by. Coburn isn't having it and goes after Malone. Both are tossed with a misconduct at 18:56.

Flower is yanked from the pipes, a little too prematurely as it turns out. Richie intercepts the puck, skates it into the Pens zone, and passes it to Hartnell. Hartnell fires it into the empty net at 19:01. It's Hartnell's first goal as a Flyer, and there's a nice, long, loud horn for him also.

Points Update: Briere and Richie are still tied at 19 for the lead on points earned.

Final Score: Flyers 5, Penguins 2.