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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2/06 Caps v. Flyers

As of 10:00 in the Third

Congratulations, Hextall. Thanks, Knuble! (Wait, is the KGB [Knuble-Gagne-Briere] line back or was that a line-change fluke?)

That's all I can say for tonight's game.

Oooh, Blog Candy!

Gentle Readers,

There's a new poll!

So while I contemplate ditching it all to move back to South America - just 'cause it's fun to think about doing it - make your voices heard on the ambiente acá.

Ciao,
Nadine

OMG! Two from the Harem!

Sami! Woo-hoo! (With that assist by Cartsie, and the first goal by the KGB line, did Stevens opt for "old home week" with the lines in honor of Hexie?)

Wait, Randy also! Double woo-hoo!

Final Score: Caps 4, Flyers 3. Long live our consistent inconsistency.

1/24 Pens v. Flyers

Pre-Game

Kristin and I sat in the usual spot for pre-game and indulged in our usual chat. Our attempts to use wi-fi failed yet again.

Kristin shared her impressions from the Meet & Greet. Marty is a PR person's dream man. Niitty is quiet. There were several unusual pairings and quite a few predictable ones.

I surprised her by saying that I finally had something nice to say about Briere: I like his new haircut. ;p

The guys came out and we noticed that warm-ups were following a different pattern than usual, which prompted immediate concern on both our parts. Is a Battle of Pennsylvania showdown following a Devils blow-out really the time to change this? We had our doubts.

Fair warning:

1. I did not buy into the hype that the Pens would be easier to beat without Cindy. Yes, he's good, but please do not forget about the following individuals who would still be on the ice: Malkin, Malone, Whitney, Laraque, and Conklin.

2. My eyes were drawn frequently to the Habs-Devils score on the board, for obvious reasons. I had a minor bout of heart failure until their third period.

Question: Why is it that the refs' names do not appear on the jumbotron?

First Period

No lie, it was flatter than two-day old, uncorked champagne.

There was a little bit of a spark during the Cote v. Laraque bout. The secret of Riley's left is not unknown, so Georges made certain to tie it up from the out-set.

Umby netted a nice one (assisted by Gator and Tiny!Briere). Marty had a nice save on Malone.

Malkin tallied one late in the first because all the Flyers seemed to take a five-minute snoozer in our zone. Even a little D would have gone a looooooong way.

Downie pulled his good choir boy act during the first period, keeping fairly cool in spite of some instigating. I was quite surprised by how long it lasted.

Second Period

Hey refs! Letang had already earned two or three trips to the sin bin before you finally called that boarding penalty. Perhaps you could benefit from some Lasik, yes?

I was still on a little happy fest from Sami's goal in the Ottawa game. So imagine my giddiness when Jones scored one! (Thanks Hartsie and Umby for the help on that one.)

I don't have much to say about Sykora's goal. It will look nice on the highlight reels.

One of my worst fears occurred in the second period. Ever since that first 'Canes game where I truly realized how, er, imposing Hatch can be at full-tilt going for the puck at the goal-mouth, I've been sort of concerned for the well-being of opposing goalies.

Well, Hatch barreled into Conks. Yikes! I'm glad I was in 212 and not 119.

Progressing to Laraque's hit on Downie...because I just have to go there. Anyone who's been reading here all along knows my feelings about Downie and his suspension. If you don't, used the archives or labels to find out.

Dear Georges Laraque,

If you were going to hit someone that way, honestly, it should have been Randy Jones, but only after he (a) looked right at you, (b) moved another pace closer to the boards, (c) put his head down and (d) gave you his back again.

That being said, and in light of the rules and guidelines that supposedly apply to all NHL teams and players, you cannot hit someone that way...even if it's Steve Downie. You deserved the five-minute major and the ten-minute game misconduct. You also deserve a suspension for not having learned the lesson from the examples of others.

My prediction: Colin Campbell should trot out another 20-30 games suspension for that one, but he won't because the perpetrator wasn't wearing Halloween colors.

Riley: Please learn to go to the dressing room when the horn sounds. You may be the reason we don't see a suspension for Laraque.

Third Period

Here are the high- and low-lights.

Vandermeer scored a goal, with Umby and Hartsie on the assists. (I guess he didn't want Randy to be the only Flyers defenseman notching one for the night?)

I was completely underwhelmed by our response to the hit on Downie. I expected some of Johnny's oft-mentioned "urgency" to create more scoring chances. Instead, the guys penalty-killed our five-minute power play. The Pens didn't need to do anything but sit back and wait.

The refs helped Whitney score a SH goal by not calling goalie interference on Staal. Sure, the net wasn't off the moorings when the puck entered it, but forget about the puck! Marty - or any other goalie - cannot make a save when Staal forcibly sits him down inside the net.

Knuble netted the game-winner, with a little help from his friends Cartsie and Coby.

Post-Game

The 4-3 score was something I and my Flyers could share with Four Habs Fans and their Canadiens. Perhaps we can share frustration with our team's tendencies towards passive-aggressive displays, too? Could this be the start of newer and friendlier relations between Canadian and US NHL hockey teams' fans?

Get real! They're in the Eastern Conference.

FHF: The gloves are off in preparation for our Feb. 16 and 17 MTL-PHL showdowns! ;)

Colds stink!

Dear Guys,

I'm late with this one. Sue me. Colds stink...and when they hit you with a full body ache, ugh!

(Momentary Side Prayer: God, please take this away. I only have this every three years...thank you for my health...but that means I'm not used to feeling like crap.)

So, now that you've won four at home and dropped four at home, could you win one at home tonight? It might mitigate the misery of my cold.

Funny/sarcastic thought for the day:

I'm diagonally parked in a parallel universe.

Love yas,
Nadine

12/01 Stars v. Flyers

First Period

Randy Jones scored, and it only took him 41 seconds to do it.

Of course, Marty (Another goalie with this name? Yeesh!) Turco isn't likely make it that easy for the rest of the game.

Note to Canadian parents: If you have a son named Martin who is a goalie, call him by his middle name. Between Philly Marty, Jersey Marty, and Dallas Marty...uh, you get the point, right? (The Sens' Martin Gerber doesn't really count, since he was born in Switzerland.)

Dallas evens the score while the period is waning. Darn!

First Intermission Thought: Do we still refer to the Finnish contingent as the "Finnish Mafia?"

Second Period

Guys, sorry, but I'm shutting down for the night. Maybe sleep will help.

Besides, the score isn't looking too friendly right now. (But I still love yas anyway...I am a Philadelphia sports fan, y'know what I'm saying?)

Randy Jones

Let me say this upfront: Like those other two, I am not unbiased on this one.

However, this time my bias is in Randy Jones' favor rather than against it.

Obviously I'm concerned for Bergeron like everyone else. Concussions are serious medical conditions, and broken noses aren't all that fun either.

The hit will be reviewed by the NHL, and I'll be truly surprised if they don't hand down another suspension because:

(1) It's the Flyers, and
(2) A player was seriously injured as a result of the hit.

However, my opinion is that Randy's suspension shouldn't be anything near as long as Downie's or Boulerice's precisely because he is a real first-time offender.

Randy's role is deeper than the traditional "enforcer" defenseman. He makes strong contributions to the team's scoring in addition to making solid - and up until yesterday's game - acceptable hits. Randy's not careless, he doesn't lack self-control, and he doesn't have anger management issues either.

Randy hasn't had this happen with one of his hits before. He's clearly shaken by what happened, to the point that you can see it in the interview tapes. He's sincerely apologized at every opportunity to do it. He accepts the blame everyone casts at him and he probably heaps more of it on himself in private.

So, while my concern is extended to Bergeron, it's also extended to Randy Jones. It's going to take time for him to move beyond this, and not because of disciplinary measures.

Because I knew he could!

Martin Biron, with Gaston on the helmet, gets a shut-out! (Jack Cassidy)

Dear Thrashers and Their Fans,

If there's one team in the nhL that understands where you are right now, it's the friendly people in Philadelphia. We hope you get your first win soon. Selfishly though, we're happy it didn't happen tonight.

Good luck!

6 Fun Facts and 1 Blatant Bit of Speculation as a Result of Tonight's Game:

(1) Marty got a shut-out! [Thought and written in a really sing-songy voice.]

(2) Jeff Carter's streak grows to four goals in four games.

(3) Lead hockey-husband-to-be candidate Sami Kapanen scored for the second game in a row.

(4) This is the second game in a row where Carter scores a goal followed by Sami within a very short time.

(5) Mike Richards continues to wrack up points.

(6) Randy Jones proves that he can be an offensive defenseman by scoring the final goal.

(7) Perhaps we shall continue to lead the Atlantic Division, hmm?