Help!

I am still alive.

First, if you used to be in the blogroll or links, send me an email to ensure you're put back there. (Blogger PMSed about my template and I'm still contemplating a permanent move to WordPress because of it.)

So, real life has been changing a bit lately.

• Personal life: more interesting of late, though not willing to share deets. This is a hockey blog, not a girlie-relationships one.
  
• Professional life: so not going there. Although, my co-workers who are friends had me a belated birthday bash this past Friday that was great...
  
• Home life: probably having to move due to renovations jacking the rent. Argh!
  

All that said, I have not forgotten that hockey is my boyfriend...a demanding, if somewhat unsatisfying one.

Being the honest person I am, I have to say I couldn't blog about the end of the Flyers season. (Read: That was the unsatisfying part.) I wanted the guys to do well but it wasn't meant to be.

Here's the demanding part for me: splitting my attention between the post-season games and various chats at work with the guys about how the Flyers are going to handle the cap sitch and the goalie sitch and the every- and anything else sitch.

So, if you're a Flyers fan, what would you do to get the team ready for a run next season?

• Who do we keep?
  
• Who do we let go?
  
• Who do we get?
• What will replace the Phantoms?
  

Go wild, dream big, and share your thoughts in the comments.

Oh, and go Red Wings. Dudes, you're the overdogs of the NHL but I enjoy the misery of the Pens fans at work too much to be against you. And the people of Michigan could use a pick-me-up right about now.

Returning to my greater Cleveland roots for the rest of the season,
Flyers.Femme
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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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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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What Gives?

Why is playing in Florida or against teams from Florida such a challenge for the Flyers?

Stumped,
Flyers.Femme
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TBL: WTF?

Can anyone legitimately explain why we can't beat the Lightning, at least in a regular, 60-minute, three-period game? No? Me neither.

So I'm throwing out a big "hellz yeah" echo on Dear Captain's "ball you out in the media" game summary from last night:

"We really just got outworked the last two games," said captain Mike Richards. "It's kind of embarrassing how much they outworked us. It's unacceptable for a team that we have. It starts with the work ethic."

*Crickets chirping*

Um, yeah. That clears things up a whole bunch.

God help the NHL if everything were to start clicking with the Flyers. I'm not saying they could tie the whole thing up in a nice, neat, Detroit Redwings-type package, but the standings and season could become just a little more interesting. At least then all the other teams' fans would have a real reason to dislike the team and the fans.

So, enough with the on-ice vacations, guys. 'Cause I'm starting to develop that shell-shocked look Penélope Cruz wears in the Jeep in Sahara when they're fleeing the scene where her team is massacred by Kazim's soldiers...and that's not hot or cute.

Scared to read anything related to tonight's game while it's in progress,
Flyers.Femme
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Whole Lotta Stuff

Part the First - Finished games stuff

All good streaks come to an end, it just sucks when that coincides with Cindy Crosby being in town. *Shudder*

In a bit of a confession: I admit to perpetrating a small but significant amount of harassment toward my co-worker Justin about the Leafs game. Seriously, he's a Philly fan in everything but hockey...and he has to pick Toronto for that. *Shrugs*

By now you know that stats just aren't my thing - even just reading them - because they have, um, numbers in them. Well, did I read it wrong yesterday, or do Jeff Carter's 29 goals push him back up to the top of the list again? (My eyes have been a little glazed over lately because of all the sound-editing I've been doing.)

Part the Second - Thank you, Jesus!

Thanks to dropping the game last night, the Flyers are not the division leaders any more, which I think is fantastic. The guys don't have to win the division...let some other team expend itself on that honor. I'll settle for the team squeeking like last year and running deep into the post-season, in the hopes of appropriating some good Philly sports mojo in order to win the FPOW conference.

Part the Third - Best Christmas Presents

Truly, the best present I received over the holidays was two weeks away from here with my family and the dog. We like each other. We can hang out together and not kill everyone.

But if I have to pin down my top three Christmas presents, they are:

1. Tickets to two games! Come and see me and co-worker Justin (assuming his wife lets him out of the house) at these games:

• Feb. 21 Battle of PA match-up. Section 116.
• March 14 vs. Rangers. Section 222A.
  

2. Two Flyers gift cards worth $75! Hello, Fan Gear Store? Yeah, see you February 21 and March 14.

3. Flyers Christmas tree ball! All I can ever find at the stores near me are Eagles and Phils ones. Thanks, Holly, for getting me this...you'll see it at next year's open house.

And for Extra Credit

My request for suggestions on what co-worker Kristin and I should see and do in Montreal in June is - actually - open to people other than the Four Habs Fans. Feel free to leave yours as comments, a tweet, or drop me an email.

Psyched!
Flyers.Femme
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Hockey-tastic Vacation

Hockey Harem in NHL ASG

Congratulations, Blondie! You made it to the ASG. Go, have fun, geek out on hockey. I want to add another command to that list but I'm afraid to jinx ya.

Not Just Jeff Will Visit

Plot hatched. Passport is in order. Airfare search commences soon. Lodging suggestions welcomed.

Co-worker Kristin - who likes hockey, but is not Hockey Kristin - and I are going to blow some vacay in Montreal this summer. We may even try to take in the NHL Hockey Draft. (We may even recruit more friends to go along.)

So, if any of you FHF guys have insider information to share, comment, email, IM, whatevs...send it my way.

Eagles, Schmeagles,
Flyers.Femme
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Phone Booth = Hell

Bell Centre Spectre

C'mon, you knew it couldn't last. Besides, we don't (usually) beat the Habs at home, or ever, unless it's not a play-off game (recently).

Congrats to Asham and Coburn (harem represents!) on tonight's goals.

Semi Off-Topic

Suppose you received a substantial reward for a job well done, in the amount of more than $500 and less than $1000 (taxes already deducted). Since you don't have debts to pay off with it and the economy sucks, what do you purchase with it?

Leave your fun thoughts in the comments.

Deciding what to do for tomorrow's holiday luncheon at work,
Flyers.Femme
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Glor-i-ous!

That was so much fun!

Because my only two other trips to Broad and Pattison resulted in loses, this season has been a little disappointing for me as a fan...until last night. Last night was freakin' awesome. Three key reasons:

• Dude, we won!
• We caused a few of the Avs to lose their composure...though not as badly as the Pens last season.
• I was about 8 seats over and one row behind Shawn!

Something I must point out to my non-Philadelphia readers: Flyers fans do not boo Santa. Santa was in section 216 or 215 last night, and he was greeted with cheers. (Drunken Eagles and Sixers fans are responsible for booing Santa, not Flyers ones.)

Knuble: Looooved your PPG. Your positive attitude, willingness to hang out at the net, and make like a screen keep serving you well. Congrats on number 100!

Blondie: Woo-hoo, another SHG! Tell me, what kind of noise does one of your wristers make, if any, when you score? With the team leading the league on them, and needing just one more to match last season's total SHG count, this is such a fun statbit to track. (Nice intermission interview, by the way.)

Lups: Thank you for putting one in on even strength. Way to do that during the second while I had a very good view of it.

Dear Captain: Another pretty one I saw clearly from my cheap seats. And a three point night? Bitchin'!

Gagne: Way to make sure that PPG entered the net! A second player with a three point night. I'm so glad you're back and playing like your old self.

Interesting off-topic factoid of the night: The announcer still cannot pronounce Ovie's last name with any consistency. How many seasons has he been playing in the NHL? Just make sure you balance that out with a Cindy Crosby, 'kay?'

Interesting game-related factoid: How sick is it that we have six players with 10 or more goals this season already? And I thought last year's seven players with 20 or more goals was cool.

Having a happier holiday season,
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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Hunh?

WTH to WTF, all in one game.

Imagine what kind of points damage the Flyers could do if the guys played 60 minutes of hockey in every remaining game of the regular season like they did the last 20 minutes, overtime, and the shoot-out on Thursday. *Shudder, sigh*

I truly cannot comprehend it.

Congratulations to Scott Hartnell on his hat trick. Oh, and we won on a shoot-out? Sweet! (Though kinda unnecessary...)

Amazed,
Flyers.Femme


P.S.: I wish I could have been a fly on the wall in the locker room during the second intermission.

WttH: Two Inductions

Slick Addition

Simon Gagne, you rock!

Sure, last year was not your friend what with the multiple installments of the most feared diagnosis known to the Flyers organization: concussion. Most recently, we've seen you battling the flu and the dehydration that goes with it.

With last night's game winner, you've scored your 2008-09 Flyers.Femme Hockey Harem entrance.

Goalie Addition

Now for some harem controversy. Goalies seem to be take 'em or leave 'em for Philadelphia. Everyone has an opinion on the Biron & Niittymäki Show, myself included.

However, for his play during the Whalercanes game on Saturday, Antero Niittymäki also earned his harem induction for the season.

Waiting in the Wings

Ossi Vaananen, you won me over Saturday night. You have added yourself to my ranks of favored Finnish players from Vantaa and Finnish Flyers.

I admit I was straddling the fence about you. It's not that I doubted your ability to contribute to the club, so much as I couldn't be sure there was truly room in this fangirl's heart for another player from dear Sami's hometown. And while you will never, ever eclipse Sami Kapanen in my hockey universe, you are THIS close to causing me to add a third d-man to the harem.

So, put that body in front of a few more shots. Stifle a few more attempts by jazzy forwards from opposing teams. Hell, get booed for doing an ice-side, Coatsie interview that you - fairly tactfully - end in order to save Coatsie from imminent death for delaying Mites on Ice.

Dear Guys

Best of luck for tomorrow's Dollar Dog night game versus the Caniac Nation. Hope that old schooler Whalers sweater guy is at the game.

Now, I must finish anchoring the light strands for my hockey open house on Friday night.

Plotting a hockey outing with the guys from work,
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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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

Dear Coach

So, when's the trip to Whistler? 'Cause I feel like the guys need it. If you don't have the time, inclination, or cash for one in Western Canada, might I recommend a former place of employment?

At any rate, consider the option of some team-building activities. That way, when things are sorted with the Phillies and sports mojo returns to another City of Brotherly Love team, you're maybe in a better position than the Eagles to take advantage of it.

After all, we'll be over that other mojo suckage phenomenon caused by the special guest.

Now, I'm going to try and find Sami's phone number...

Ciao,
Flyers.Femme
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Dude, That Sucked!

Opening night post from one year ago: Check it out.

Opening night for 2008-09: There was a game on October 11, 2008? Really?

I saw at least one move straight out of the Mighty Ducks films there. You know, when they stunk at the beginning and Coach Bombay was still phoning it in on his probation?

Here's what I feel comfortable writing about the home opener:

• Team promotion crew tried to page homage to the Spectrum
• Forgot to pay due homage to Kate Smith on an important anniversary (see comments on previous post)
  
• S.P. came to the building.

And she sucked out all of the team's mojo, just like - sorry! - Hextall did last year with his Flyers Hall of Fame induction.

In-house entertainment guys, a small note: When games suck and you play House of Pain's "Jump Around," please focus on Shawn. Don't make us wait for the end of the game. Just give us the goods then. 'Kay?

Niitty: I say this as a fan...dude, I love you! Please play like that all season long. It made me smile and kept me happy.

Kukkie: You have my number! I wore #3 all three years I was on the varsity teams in high school, all three seasons of the year.

As for the rest of the game:

• Thank you, Scott H., for netting a goal so early in the season!
• Thank you, Simon, for coming back strong!
• Thank you, dear Captain, for getting the goal scoring contest between 18 and 48 off on the right foot!

That is all for now. I must go hang with the boys at Four Habs Fans for tonight's game.

P.S.: My condolences to the Cherepanov family and all you Rangers fans out there.

P.S.S.: Blogging will be a bit off this week due to work deadlines. Check out Kristin, K-Mart, or Ryan and Froin.

Oh, and how's that for 200 posts?
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Kate Smith and God Bless America

'Cause it's the only way to start the season.
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