Disaffected and Disenchanted

That's about how I'd characterize the Flyers fan feelings toward Coach Stevens lately.

Some days, I'm fine with Johnny standing behind the bench. Other days, not so much. But I've yet to call for his head on a pike.

Folks, this post is going to ramble something fierce. I'm processing as I write, while the game is tied-up at 2 all, which is a very dangerous thing to do when you have a sports blog. Here goes.

And I'm writing this to the big guy in a suit and glasses...

Dear Coach,
You haven't publicly balled out a player for a sucky performance since December 2007.

I get that you don't want anyone to accuse you of being emo. I even respect that. But there's a time and place to just let one decompression session roll. And I think now's as good a time as any; it might accomplish some good.

Lately, everything bad is just festering. The team-building may have had the after-school special bonding element needed for plane, train, etc. trips to be less heinous than they otherwise would be. I don't think it's helped in relationship to the on-ice performance.

On paper, just like in past seasons, there's no good reason for the team to be doing what it does...namely losing and taking mental vacations. There are 60 minutes in a hockey game, and all that other trite-but-true shite.

I think the jumping off point for your speech needs to be something like, "This crap cannot continue." Fill in with whatever ammo you (or Berube) can provide thereafter. Just remind the guys that we don't like losers in Philly...especially when they're slacker-losers in our uniforms.

Hope you have a totally b*tch*n' night!

Post-Game Edit

I take it back. Something has to change.

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
-

That's Our Guy

Yeah, Johnny!

I'm viewing the story and still not sure I believe it. I'm asking, rhetorically, "How the heck did that happen?"

Love it, like it or hate it...and I'm sure there's plenty of haters out there...TSN named Flyers head coach John Stevens as Coach of the Year.

P.S.: Boudreau, I'm chalking the pass on you up to the fact that you didn't play Godzilla once during the series...bad karma for lack of bad@$$ mofu goalie in your game.

Nerves stink!

Dear Guys,

I'm sorry. You have one of the worst final-three-games stretches possible:

Pittsburgh
New Jersey
Pittsburgh

I'm happy that Jones returned and that R.J. is a possibility for Wednesday.

So, here's my proposal for the Flyers:

Get out there, skate like you own the ice, score like you are the Pens, and leave the nerves to me. In short, act like you're that October Flyers team we were all so much in love with earlier in the season. You have the same people and you do have the capability to do it.

Love yas,
Nadine

C'est la Vie

Chuck Berry's "You Never Can Tell" might not be an appropriate theme song for this weekend's home-and-home between the Flyers and the Habs, but that one phrase from the lyrics sort of sums up my feelings lately.

Tonight's game at the Bell Centre appears to be a face-off between two teams playing craptacular hockey, since the guys over at Four Habs Fans seem as thrilled with their team as Kristin, Ryan and I with ours. Whereas the F-bomb has become a new middle name for some Flyers, there's speculation that certain Habs' first names may be legally changed to it.

Honestly, I'm so unimpressed and uninspired by the play lately that I may - gasp! - skip any association to tonight's game, particularly since I'll be present for tomorrow's battle at the Wachovia Center.

Astounding, I know. I'll make a decision as the day progresses and what plans my girls make for tonight.


Dear Coach and Guys,

I hope you packed your earplugs to filter out the booing tonight. I only say this because you've turned into ADHD poster children.

Just when you guys flirt heavily and woo us with your B+ or A- game, Count Craptacula steps in, puts a spell on you, and we - the fans - are in our prom dress waiting for you to get over you bug-eating ways and return from the dark side. (How's that for full acknowledgement of the Halloween colors, hmm?)

The lack of focus and consistency have been problematic all season long, and I do mean all season. Now, though, it's tag-teamed with poor passing and a "whatever" attitude, the stereotypical, histronic thirteen year old Valley girl version. Figurative shoulder shrugs happen every time I blink and some of you are unrepentant repeat offenders. (Of course, this could be an optical illusion due to the lovely jersey design, but I sincerely doubt it.)

So, I think it's fair to say that the booing concerns me because I just don't think you can handle it at this point.

That's not to say that you won't need to get used to it. With just 25 games left in the regular season, Philly fans may jump onto the booing bandwagon. You've said it yourselves in multiple interviews: There are no excuses - good or bad - for what's happened in the last five games.

I know what losing streaks feel like. Mine were in several different sports, but they all felt the same. I'll avoid the trite platitudes and cliches. They're called "trite platitudes and cliches" for a reason.

Here's what I will share:

Focus on playing a real 60 minutes of hockey each game. Lately it's been about 20 good minutes max.
Complete your passes. It's elementary, my dears.
Spend more time in their zone and less in ours. Defense and puck-clearing have to be better to accomplish this, but you're going to have to dog anyone who crosses the blue line.

Love yas, but tired of this $h1t!


Listening to: "Go Let It Out" by Oasis, "A Dios Le Pido" by Juanes

Seriously Now

Dear guys,

"We need to earn the respect of our fans here. Our fans are dying for us to work. All they want to see is hard work...Compete and work and not quit." - John Stevens, Dec. 1 post-game interview

Uh, totally.

Stevens is pissed. I'm sure everyone of you is as well, if the report of a minor altercation between Tiny!Briere and (my HH) Kapanen is anything to go by.

The Jekyll/Hyde routine has to go. To roll out two trite - but true - cliches (as though there were any other kind):

• There's no good reason for what's been happening lately.
• You're all better than this.

When you work together and don't give up too many stupid penalties, you give me great hope. As I said following the win in Ottawa, please quit flirting with your A-game. Make it part of your equipment so that it goes with you for every contest.

I hope the enforced togetherness of a road trip brings back some of the team zen you achieved in Whistler earlier this year.

Coach, if that doesn't do it, I humbly offer my apartment as a potential venue for a team smack-down/slumber party to help everybody work this out once and for all. I have experience with this from my competition days. (Trust me, if it can work for a bunch of PMS-ing female athletes, I'm sure it can work for guys facing testosterone overload.) Additionally, I am trained in conflict resolution, peer counseling, and active listening skills.

Love yas,

Nadine

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!

Niittymäki: 1:12

Dear Coach Stevens,

I've lived with a goalie (my younger brother). I've seen the hard work it takes to learn and play that part of the game.

I love goalies...I truly believe they are the most important part of the team. I love philadelphia flyers goalies best. (I can't wait to see Biron in action on October 13.)

But...p l e a s e...help Niittymäki with his game! His objective is to keep the puck from entering the goal. That's not what I see happening with him this pre-season.

I'd say send Niitty to the phantoms for remedial goalie school...because sitting him down won't fix this. But on the other hand, we need a back-up goalie on the bench in the big show.

I understand that against the Devils there were two separate two-man advantage power plays contributing to the situation. But what were the extenuating circumstances for last night?

I'm sorry...but Niitty's playing soft and it has to stop! He needs to lock that thing down, and he can do it.