In lieu of a sweater

...or a jersey

In light of (dear) Sami's retirement, I've been dreading the 2008-09 season from a fan gear perspective. I mean, take a look at some of my new choices:

• A Diablito (Homer, I'm still tying to find the positive side of that move! There is one, right?)
• Two Broons + a Baby Broon ('Cause they are the Flyers of the Northeast Division :p )
• An Avalanche (Dude just happens to be from Vantaa, Sami's hometown!)
• Two Kings (CKim and KMS2, give me your 411s on Hersley and Lukacevic.)

So, to fix this sitch, I'm falling back on one of my sweater selection options from last season...namely, buy Tshirts for the player or players I deem worthy of my cold, hard cash.

And you, Gentle Readers, can help in the decision-making process. Vote in my poll. Multiple votes may be cast. Yes, you have to choose from the Flyers listed there*.

Perhaps the top two or three vote-getters will be lucky enough to see Flyers.Femme sporting his name and digits on her back this year.

¡Ciaitos!
Nadine

*If you happen to be one of the Flyers not listed there, sorry! Just remember, if you work hard and bring your all to the games, I may purchase your shirt sometime during the season as well. Or, y'know, you could send me an autographed one. (I wear boys L/XL.)

Waaaaah!

Image: (c) K. Shaw

Retirement: Sami Kapanen

That should explain it all, Gentle Readers.

My beloved Sami is hanging up his NHL skates after 13 seasons.

Honestly, Sami's been one of my favorites since his Whalercane days. The trade to the Flyers seemed like divine intervention and I'm glad I had the opportunity to see him play in black and orange on multiple occasions.

If you're not sure why I love him, here's my Ode to Kapanen post.

Dear Sami,

Onnea to you and your family as you return to Finland. Best wishes for your continuing hockey career as majority owner of KalPa Kuopio. Personally, I hope we have the chance to see you in future years helping Team Finland. (I know you could help them win the gold!)

I'll miss you!
Nadine

Are You Kidding?!!!!?

Dudes, I can't look! Literally.

• I refuse to give Comcast any more money than they already have. (Philly is your home base, so we should get our cable for free!)
• It's an away game, so I can't even listen to the radio feed. (Damned superstitions! And thanks to my former goalie brother getting me started on the stupid things...argh!)
• The game summary auto-refresh is a killer. I only check it when I know a period is done.

So what's a fan to do when it's Game 7 of Round 1 and you see the final score is 2-2?

Don't know, still figuring it out, and continuing the "Please, Dear God" Flyers litany. Jesus Christ, help a homegirl out down here, 'kay?

Final Score: Flyers 3, Caps 2

A.) No Zilla. I am not happy, Boudreau.
B.) WE WON!
C.) Does this mean we have to play the Habs?

4/15 Caps v. Flyers

Ryan, Fran & Eric:

To quote the title of an Oasis tune, "What's the Story (Morning Glory)?"

Final Score: Flyers 6, Caps 3

And, dudes, it was awesome! See you tomorrow evening for a full report after work!


P.S.: FHF, I knew the Habs could stick it to the Broons for another game in the series! But a win on a Breezer goal? How did that happen?

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.

11/20 Sens v. Flyers

Flyers subtitle: We'd really like more of the same
Sens subtitle: We're really tired of losing and we may have Alfie back

I'm looking forward to tonight's game even though I won't be in attendance. I wanted to be there. I tried to make myself buy a ticket. In spite of the fact that my employers actually do observe the MLK holiday, I just couldn't suck it up enough to deal with a cab from Center City on a Sunday.

So, guys, sue me.

I'd dearly love to see us win at home against the Sens. I'd also like to see huge plays by everybody on the ice. One baby, tiny, yet HUGE hiccup: We're playing at home and we kind of suck there right now.

But, I'm game for this game. I mean, who wouldn't be, what with Downie in the line-up and the Sens in town?

Pre-Game Update

I'm going to rub this in a little more because it keeps me entertained. Headed in to tonight's game, here's the tally in the Official (Unofficial) Points Race, brought to you by Nadine of Flyers.Femme:

All-Star Richie: 21 G + 31 A = 52 (+/- is 14)
Tiny!Briere: 19 G + 26 A = 45 (+/- is -12)

First Period

Awwwww, no Alfie for the Sens. Of course, Heatley is also out while recovering from a separated shoulder. (Ouch! Those hurt and are annoying.)

Niitty in net for us. Ref talks to Downie, so the convo means "walk away and let the other teams' guys visit your lovely away sin bin."

Coby scores! Cote kills McGrattan(shoulder). Hartsie + Cartsie, 2gether 4ever!

Second Period

Scottie truly comes back from that ankle sprain tonight by putting one on the board. Umby nets one shortly thereafter.

Am I the only one who feels Sami's frustration? He's the new Scott Hartnell since his knee sprain. Plenty of hard work and chances, but nothing going in the goal. Of course, he also makes tons of big plays for us by stopping the other teams' guys. Oh, and he's not afraid to take on the big guys (like Chara the Giraffe).

Breaking news: Hockey Harem Shake-up

No, I'm not removing or demoting Sami. Jonesy and Richie are being promoted. Marty is demoted. Niitty is being added. (Goalies are my favorites, remember?) Don't ask for a reason. I don't have or need one. ;p

Third Period

Gerber's out. Emery's in.

Samiiiiii! And it was short-handed. Woo-hoo! (Thank you, God, for hearing my prayer. I totally called that one!) [jumping up and down, shouting for joy]

Scottie works his second one in on the power play. Vandermeer takes on Donovan.

End of Game Update

I am one happy Flyers fan tonight!

Five different guys put six on the board. Three of them hadn't netted goals for quite some time. (Coburn in 18, Upshall in 14, and dear Sami in 34. Flyers TV guys: Please interview those three. We haven't seen and heard them in some time.)

We beat the Sens again. Okay, Alfie and Heatley weren't there. Don't rain on my parade! It pushed us into a three-way tie for first in the Atlantic with...

1. Lucifer's little minions: We play them at home on Tuesday. They like to beat on us...and for some reason we let them do it. Of course, Jersey Marty is like a brick wall and robs everyone all the time.

2. Cindy-less Pens: Hurry up, Thursday! I can't wait to watch the latest installment of the 2007-08 Battle of Pennsylvania live.

Ode to Kapanen

Sami, that is.

Recently, my blogger friend Ryan speculated that dear Sami looked like trade bait if he didn't score soon. My immediate reaction? Blasphemer! Sacrilege!

While anything is possible, Sami Kapanen is a Flyer.

End.Of.Story.

But just in case you need convincing like Ryan, here are the top five reasons I love Sami Kapanen and how he ended up on my sweater.

(Most of the linked items below are on YouTube, just so you know. They'll all pop up as separate windows.)

5. Sami always looks so happy when he scores or helps someone else do it.

4. While he's not always the biggest talker, Sami means what he says and isn't afraid to just say it. (I love the 8/2/2007 interview on the Steven and Preston Show.) Plus, like Gator, he seems to be a family guy who plays hockey for a living.

3. Sami can snag a bouncing puck while drifting backwards on his left foot in front of the crease and lift it over Pretty Ricky's outside shoulder to score a sick goal in the upper right corner.

2. Three words: Darcy Tucker's hit.

1. Sami has always been known for his awesome physical conditioning, work ethic and speed.

You might be interested to note that Ryan has seen the light in regards to Sami's speed. I don't think it will take much longer to convince him on the other counts.

P.S.: At the 'Canes game last week, Kristin and I were sitting in row 2 watching warm-ups. As they finished, I stood up and turned to grab my coat. And what does Kristin say to me?

"Dude, Sami looked right at you! He saw that you have him on your sweater."

That's right, I was this close to being able to have a face-to-face smile with my favorite Flyer. (Sami, next time please say "Hey!")

12/15 'Canes v. Flyers

Dear Guys,

Please let my return to the WC be a nice one. The last time wasn't so pretty (thanks, Devils). No stress or anything, but it would completely make my Christmas/New Year break if you could win while I'm there.

I'm sure you're all really busy preparing for today, but here's your fun thought for the day:

Change is inevitable, except from vending machines.

Dear Gentle Readers,

If any of you are at the game, come and see me low in section 212. I'll be rocking my Kapanen sweater. Also, Whalers sweater guy, hope you're back for tonight's game. Kristin and I loved seeing you there last time!

I'll have my paper along for a proper game perspective some time late tonight or tomorrow.

If you're a new reader that I meet at tonight's game, please note that I hate stats and so this blog doesn't really contain any analysis.

Love yas,
Nadine

The Sweep that Almost Was

Pre-Game

Kristin mentioned the new pre-game video, but tonight was my first time seeing it. These are my two profound reflections on it:

1. Vesa Toskala is a clothes-whore.

2. Gary Roberts is ripped. Forget milk, organic does a body good! (And how funny is it that Gary's trying to teach Recchi to eat right? Who's helping him now that he's in Atlanta? Or is Recchi calling Roberts for tips in the Whole Foods aisle there?)

Note to Ryan: Please come save me from the stupid, seriously bad male hockey fans in Philly! (Not all of them are bad. The guys surrounding my seat on high tonight were great! But the others, pfft!) By the way, Ryan, I'm sending out New Year's cards. If you want one, email me your address.

Warm-up:

Hatch and Kukkie were skating. Please let this mean that Mr. -12 (aka Rory Fitzpatrick) will not be in the line-up!

First Period

From my lovely section 212, row 2, seat 7 placement, I can see the benches across the way and the sin bins below me. (As I suspected, the Pens didn't visit the away sin bin for the decor.)

Scratches: Timonen (Oh no!). Fitzpatrick (Yeah!). Cote (Um, not entirely sure, so, no?)
Starting line-up: Biron, Hatcher, Coburn, Tolpenko, (wait for it) Sami Kapanen, and Carter.

I am so happy about Kapi and Cartsie being back together again, even if it's only for tonight. (Theme song, "Reunited and It Feels So Good.") I remember fondly how they fed each other for goals back when we could win at home. Kapi busts his behind on basically every shift out there and Carter seems to keep up with him. Add Tolpenko into the mix and you've got three skilled, quick guys out there.

Hartsie disappeared from the ice for a brief time during the first. From my vantage point, it looked like he was holding his wrist/arm.

At 9:33, Lupul steals the puck away from a 'Cane (doesn't really matter who), skates into their zone and scores an unassisted goal. The boy's still got jump left after walking all over Pittsburgh and in spite of losing to the Habs on Thursday. "Woo-hoo," to quote Beezer (the band, not the goalie, though John could have said that before.)

The 'Canes do manage to tie it up and score a go-ahead goal. I'm not unhappy with the first, but I also expect better.

Second Period

'Canes score a goal, bumping their lead to two. I'm not really happy about it. Neither was anyone else wearing Flyers gear in section 212. (The random 'Canes fans were giddy.)

On a power play, Hartnell scores a goal at 5:28, assisted by Carter and Coburn. Nice! So glad the refs had to think about this one. My grandmother (may she rest in peace) could have seen it go in before her cataract surgery!

Lups looks around, figures it's time to tie things back up, and slaps one in at 7:32 on the assist from R.J. Umberger.

So, how ready am I for Eager to be the healthy scratch every night? Like, totally! No particular reason for that thought to hit me mid-period, but it did. I've tried to avoid the Eager-bashing, and I pretty much still am, but enough already. Really.

Sami was awesome on his shifts. To me, it seems like he's very underrated. I know he isn't wracking up goals and assists like others, but he's consistently crushing the hopes and dreams of the lines he's sent out to face. (Stevens once said he was pretty sure Kapi could play whichever position he asked him to, including goalie.) It irks me! But, again, I'm biased...he is on my sweater for a reason.

Random 'Cane (okay, Staal) scores another goal for the Dark Side.

Third Period

"We only need one goal to tie it up." That's the only thing that I thought about as the third got underway.

Thirty seconds into the period, Tiny!Briere earns his ridonkculously over-inflated pay check. Making him look good were Hartnell and Coburn.

We're tied a little too early in the period. It's nice, but I wanted w a y more insurance than that.

Sami puts on a one-man clinic at one point during the third. He even put a guy into the boards hard enough for Raleigh to hear the thump. I loved it! Of course, it was also hugely frustrating because no one was in position for any really good set-up to get underway.

Another 'Cane scores a goal...argh!

But the period is not over until it's over. (Thanks, Yogi Bera.) Lups is not content with just one hat-trick this week. Oh, no! At 11:46, on a power play, he tips-in, he scores. The Mikes (Knuble and Richards) are responsible for the assists.

I love these guys but they give me heart failure! The period ends in a 5-5 tie and we head for the standard OT.

Overtime

It's important to note that the officiating really...bit...during the whole game. The zebras made some of the worst calls I've ever seen and kept getting in the way...like "stepping on the puck and making it impossible for the players to get it without attacking them" bad.

With that explanation out of the way, and disregarding my dislike of Tiny!Briere (mandated star of the team, whiner, diver and spearer), what has to happen before a penalty is called when he's shoved to the ice and held down? Right next to the boards?

Do the refs see it? No. They're too busy calling Lups for hooking.

Does this occur so far way from the Briere Incident as to not be see by the refs? No, it's happening right next to it, before the hooking is ever perpetrated. In other words, to see Lups' hooking penalty, you had to already be viewing the Briere Pin-Down.

At any rate, nobody scores in OT and we head for the dreaded shoot out. (Nothing more needs to be written. Flyers + SO = Win for someone else's team.) 'Canes win 6-5.

Official (Unofficial) Points Race Update, Sponsored by Nadine of Flyers.Femme

In spite of Tiny!Briere's goal tonight, he's still behind Richie and his assist. While many consider Danny to be our best player, I'm so not buying into the NHL poster-child syndrome that disseminates his name and number onto most of the Flyers Fan Gear I see.

Richie: 14 G + 22 A = 36 points (+/- is a 9)
Briere: 14 G + 20 A = 34 points (+/- is a -5)

Weirdest moment of the game

Marty Biron is credited with the check of the game. Yep, our goalie may be a funny, well-spoken, very personable guy, but he's not afraid to knock you down in the corner! (Hey Cindy, "I don't cheat and I don't whine.")

Thank you, Ryan!

Flyers PR joins the revolution

Hockey Blogging...Finally

So, forgive me, but wtf? Here's a quote from the Flyers' web site:

On the Fly!
Philadelphia Flyers PR Blog

In the latest endeavor to make philadelphiaflyers.com THE place for all breaking news, updates, and information on the Orange and Black, the club’s public relations department will be keeping a blog right here on the Philadelphia Flyers official team website. We will update this blog with information that may not necessarily make headlines, but is important, interesting or newsworthy nonetheless.

All of the information contained on this page is considered official team news and/or public information.

Maybe I'm just really presumptuous and totally off my rocker, but doesn't that almost sound like at least a few of the independent Flyers' bloggers like me that aren't related to the organization in any official capacity were doing a better job than the PR team?

Yeah, sheer craziness on my part.

On a semi-related note, here's a mini-rant on blogging directed at the Flyers. I'll be quite honest: I have serious envy of CapsChick and Shmee. The Caps have the most blogger-friendly attitude in hockey. Grr!

Fun Flyer Photos

Check out the photo gallery from the meet and greet at Lucky Strike Lanes on the team's site.

• Ben Eager: I love your hat.
• Mike Knuble: I love that you stuck with Orange and Black for yours (the O's).
• Randy and Joffrey: Way to rock those curls!
• Jack Cassidy: Thanks for getting me a shot of each of my boys...I deeply appreciate it!

Note to Kristin

We need to catch up for practice. Let me know when you can go and we'll work something out.

Briere Reprieve

I'm not a Briere fan. I don't passionately dislike him, but I don't actively like him either. However, with the Flyers playing the Habs tonight, I'm give TinyBriere a reprieve. He's going to be annoyed enough by their fans and all of the boos we'll be hearing throughout the game. I hope he scores a goal just to shut them up...but a hat trick would be better.

[Additional material from this point on]

Flyers v. Canadiens

Pros: Richie is still on fire. Marty is still b****ing in goal (in spite of the loss). Scottie had a goal in his first game back. Love it!

Cons: No Hatch, Jonesy, or Gagne. Gator got hurt. Some little pissant hit Sami, then the Habs were surprised when the rest of the team didn't act like last year's Flyers. (Uh, hello? It's this season guys.) We didn't love the second like we normally do. Stupid NHL schedule-makers.

10/18 Devils v. Flyers

Commentary about the stupid zebras (a.k.a "referees")

It's clear they were imported. My best guess is that they're from Trenton, Newark and Atlantic City. (They were obviously bribed.)

Boarding? For real? That's still a penalty? Who knew.

Commentary for the Devils

Asham: You s***! (Hatch, how're the knees, old man? I'm just glad you didn't face-plant right into the ice and boards. Way to keep your head up!)

Diablos in general: This is hockey, not soccer/futbol. You don't score by kicking the puck in the net...use your stick.

Brodeur: Looks like your usual "I have to suffer to the next record" play is in force. Sorry!

Commentary for the Flyers

Pros

• Richie: You are just on f i r e right now.
• Sami: A goal in each of the last three games. You are so s l i c k !
• Dowd: Way to score on your twice-former team. First goal as a Flyer. Congrats!
• Lupul: Number two as a Flyer. Keep watching for those opportunities.
• Jonesy: You looked like such a gentleman when you shove guys away from Marty. It must be those hound-dog eyes! (I forgive you for the Extra spot.)
• Marty: Dude, you rock! You really like 4-0 shut-outs, huh?
• The Flyers goalies tribute video shown during the third period tonight was so much fun.

Cons

• Gagne & Briere: I love that you share the puck and assist others in scoring goals. However, quit trying for picture-perfect goals of your own. Just score one at home already, no matter how ugly it may be.
• Marty is great, but he can't do it all. Clear the puck from your zone and follow it into the one where you score goals. That goes for when you'e at even-strength, penalty killing and on power plays.
• Skate to the puck! Take it to the other end! Shoot it! Go up the middle if you have to!
• Jeff Carter's scoring streak ended tonight. (I'm sure you'll be back in there soon, Jeff!)

Update on sweater and hockey harem selection

And the sweater will read...Kapanen 24 (hockey husband)! If possible, I will purchase Biron (hockey boyfriend #1) and Jones (hockey boyfriend #2) T-shirts. I figure I need an offensive player, defensive one, and a goalie to cover all the bases.

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?

Because I can

Sami Kapanen celebrates his second period goal. (Getty images)

10/13 Islanders v. Flyers

[EDIT: I'm curious how many of my non-Flyer GRs would take the time to slog through this one to the bitter end. Hmmmm.]

Home openers deserve the longest post of the regular season. They should include the sights, the sounds, etc. So, here goes...

Free Swag: One of each given to every person (including the random Isles fans) that came in the doors

(1) A magnetic schedule and

(2) An orange "Back with a Vengeance" T-shirt, sized adult XL.

The shirt will be added to my night-shirt collection. Adult XL in bright, halloween orange looks like crap on someone with dark brown hair, very fair skin, and dark brown eyes that only stands 5' 1.5" (156.2 cm).

Free face-painting is available at the door. I struggle hard not to knock all the kiddies out of my way and jump to the head of the line. In the end, adult sanity prevails and I bypass the whole zoo to collect my swag. ( :p Downie and Boulerice.)

Food, Glorious Food

Making my way to Section 224, I stop at one of the small concession stands, staffed by the nicest people I've ever met at one before. I will go there again next week. Pretzel: check. Beer: check.

I arrive to Section 224, Row 12, Seat 18 and see that the whole section is empty! Fantastic while it lasts. The next residents to arrive were two friendly, middle-aged women who have tickets in the last row. The one carrying their box of treats stops at my row, looks at me and says, "I forgot how far it is to those d*** seats!" My response: "It was a very long off-season, wasn't it?" Total agreement from my hockey sister.

Frat boys - loud, obnoxious, already slightly drunk frat boys that all dressed up for the one girl in their group - fill in the opposite end of my row and I become a little worried. Family of four in front of me. Family of five plus an uncle behind me. (The landscape is improving.) Two nice guys that I presume are fleeing the family for the night sit next on the other side of me, and they really know their hockey.

Buffer between me and the frat boys: Middle-aged couple who's nephew plays for the Devils, but who are rabid - albeit somewhat quiet - Flyers fans. I do not ask who the nephew is. (I've always been really non-intrusive with my best friends who have famous relatives, so why break the streak with people I don't even know?)

I do ask how his season has been going. The wife says the nephew is doing well and she can't wait until Thursday's game, though she doesn't know which sweater to wear for it.

Warm-Ups

I notice a stirring among the kids at the glass. Suddenly, the boys are on the ice, whizzing around, and my heart is completely happy. A round of "boos" starts, distracting me. I look right, and there are the Islanders.

I can't hate them; I don't hate anyone. I do pray TLB Comrie's my little pony girlfriend isn't in attendance, because I will puke if I see her on the big screen. (The Delta Dental ice girls cause enough gag reflex testing...why add Hilary Duff to the mix? And the ice girls are worse than last year.)

I tune the Isles out, and look at my boys. I immediately note that some one needs to talk to Danny Briere and Joffrey Lupul. I know it's only warm-ups, but we're paying too much for you two to skate around without your helmets. (Besides, you don't have mullets to ruffle in the breeze.)

Pre-Game Show

Over the top. For me, it just wasn't necessary because I've been experiencing these feelings since last April like the deprived Philly fan that I am. Besides, it just delayed getting to the real thing: the game.

Game On!

Kristin and I agree: the guys looked slow live. I think it was the antsy-ness of the fans, the road trip, and the pre-game show delay (which left them standing mostly still too long).

First Period

Big thing: Ben Eager is hit in the head, goes down and lays on the ice for a few moments. (Everyone in my section stops breathing for half a second, then starts yelling at the "stupid zebras" for not calling it.) Eager does get up, tries to skate to the other end where play has continued, but even in 224 I can see that he isn't all there. Benny heads towards play in our end, then heads to the bench for the line change.

The in-house reporter reveals during a break in play that Benny won't be returning to the game due to dizziness after the hit to the head. The crowd boos for a prolonged period. (NHL: Review criteria!)

The first period wraps up with neither team scoring. Moving on to...

Second Period

We crash the goal a little more, finally get on the board, and Marty continues to be brilliant in the crease while denying the Islanders entry. jEFF Carter scores first with a wrist-shot goal, assisted by Joffrey Lupul and Randy Jones. Statbit: This is Carter's third goal in three games. Nice little streak to have.

Fast forward two minutes: "The puck is bouncing like crazy! Somebody get a stick on that! Some Flyer do something!" As if Sami had a direct feed from me, he does something with the help of Derian Hatcher and Scott Hartnell.

With a dazzling display of stickhandling, Sami calms the puck while coasting backwards near the crease, lines up, and lifts the puck up and over Pretty Ricky's shoulder for it to eak into the opposite side of the net. Sami continues drifting backwards into the boards, arms up like the victorious warrior he is in that moment. All the guys congratulate him. In my humble opinion, it's one of the sickest goals I've seen live!

Flyers maintain the lead for the remainder of the period, and head into the locker room to a round of applause. The in-house reporter interviews Sami about the goal and the team.

Third Period

I just couldn't watch it. Vasicek scores less than three minutes in. A one goal cushion is not enough insurance for me, or any of the (by now) very drunken frat boys. Serious hockey guys are also looking way too serious about the matter.

With 1:30 left in the game, the Philly fans believe the game is over. They start cheering. Maybe they had more faith than I did, but the game is never over until it's over!

I was on the edge of my seat. Hopeful for the win. Scared that we were not clearing the puck out and keeping it to the other end. And then...

Gator blocks with his body, clearing the puck out, and accidentally-on-purpose scores an empty net goal. It's the captain's first goal of the season, it's at home, and it's in front of a sell-out house. He's wearing the biggest smile on his face, and Kimmo Timonen literally jumps on him for joy.

The Short Story: Flyers win. I love hockey.

Welcome back: Sami K

Dear Sami,

Thank.God.you're.back!

I was so ticked to hear that the Department of Homeland Security was keeping you from us, thinking that part of your family tried to illegally enter the country after your Toronto vacation. Obviously those people were either (a) not hockey fans or (b) Rangers, Devils, Sabres or Pens fans.

As you saw, things are not going well with the pre-season games...again. We, the fans, need you to lead the team with your work ethic, physical conditioning, and five years as a Flyer. We also want to see how you fit in with the possible new lines.

My opinion is that we needed you back before anything started going right. You're so plain-spoken and up-front about what works and doesn't work. (I really appreciate it since I'm the same way at my job.)

On another topic, about which I've already written to coach, but now I'm going to appeal to you as well:

Please, please, please (!) help Niitty. Maybe he just needs to be told in Finnish, but his game sucked last season and I don't see any improvement from over the summer. (Even though Marty is clearly our #1 goalie and I've always had my doubts about a post-injury Niitty, I still want to see him succeed.)

By the way hon, I'm really hoping they offer you the captaincy. I know you will give it your all to keep everyone on board.