2009-10 Season: Game On!

Dear Chicago,

I've lived there. You would have been great hosts. But I was pulling for Rio all along.

Felicitações, Brasil!


The Main Event

Back to hockey, because no other sport matters to me. The Flyers take the ice for their first regular season scrum.

I can't wait to see the impact of Chris Pronger - figuratively and literally. To learn what Ray Emery will do for us. To hear whether Coach Stevens has learned another phrase more appropriate for professional sports than "a lack of urgency" to explain slacker losses.

In the meantime, I am observing my superstitions:

The socks are on:












The jersey is on:












And though I have no picture for them, so are the lucky earrings.

Dudes, I've done my part. What about you?

Expectations

Sometimes, expectations suck.

After basementing and rebounding, I expected last season's post-season to be better. Yeah, it was crappy to pull the Pens in the first round. With a little better leadership - on and off the ice - the Flyers could have gone further.

At least, that's my take and I'm sticking to it.

What should the Flyers faithful expect for the 2009-10 season? I don't know about you, but here's my wish list for Santa, the Easter Bunny, and the Tooth Fairy*:

5. Ray Emery really does appreciate being back in the NHL.

Best way to win over the doubting Thomases and Tamsins? Stop the effing puck...a lot.

Goaltending hasn't been a strong suit for the Flyers. I love goalies. I'll find a good side for anybody we've got. But if Emery wants to win his way into the fans' hearts, it's just this easy: win us games by stopping the puck.

Oh, and keeping your mouth zipped, your anger managed, and your focus trained would go a long way too. Philly fans don't like whiners or screw-ups. We'll turn on our own players just as fast as we do anyone on the opposing team.

4. Chris Pronger pays off.

Yes, he's worth the annual amount he'll pull down as long as he's not hurt or suspended. I'm just not psyched about having to pay him if he chooses to retire while he's here. And the contract's a few years longer than I like, keeping that in mind.

So, Chris, here's to you staying healthy, playing effectively in a lot of games, and paying off BIG time.

3. Jeff Carter likes scoring just as much as last year.

Get your minds out of the trashy, double-entendre laden gutter.

Blondie, we need you to score goals like last year was just a warm-up, 'kay?

Frankly, I'd love to see Carter continue to wrack up points this year, if for no other reason that it was a lot of fun to throw it in co-worker Justin's face. (Love ya, little bro.) Plus, there's the satisfaction of showing other teams' fans our team isn't just a bunch of bullies.

Plus, it'd make my boys at the kids table happy.

2. Richie's leadership development training lessons kick in.

So here's a little truth: I wasn't wild on the first year of Mike's reign. He could be a good captain for us, but there was definite room improvement.

Once upon a time, in a land far, far away, I enjoyed going to college parties myself. I just wouldn't have done it if I was in the running for the Stanley Cup.

Look, have fun, enjoy your life, but buckle the hell down and win the games when they count. 'Cause, dude, you're a professional athlete pulling down $68.5 million. And, it's the Stanley Cup. Best damn sports trophy ever. Philly fans want some more shiny, sparkly to show off and that baby would rock.

1. Danny Briere earns his paycheck, some more.

Tiny! Is everything in good working order to start the season?

Seriously. Please find a way to stay in the line-up. We the fans are more than a little curious as to what a season of Danny Briere looks like. We've seen suckitude and flashes of brilliance. We like the brilliance end of the continuum more.

Yo, front office guys: was the Duck Tour in lieu of a ropes course for this year's team-building event? Just wondering.


*Because if these three don't work, then I'll have to go scary and bring out La Llorona.

Avoidance

Dear Gentle Readers,

It's time to practice my superstition of avoiding anything related to the Flyers on game night if I'm not there in person.

I'm sure everyone at the Wachovia Center will have a great time and I'm bummed not to be there with the fun and funny Habs fans that trek in for the games. But I just don't do well listening to the games, so I'm skipping the stress.

Although, if you're online and have Skype, head on over and find me.

Waivers and Trades

Good-bye, Metro. Oh, hello again. Hope you have fun in the visitor's dressing room tonight.

Adios, Ossi. Good luck with the Orcas! I'll miss having a Vantaa boy on the roster and in the harem. *sigh*

Further Reflections

After continuing to assess ScarletCaps.com, I have to say that HLOG sister and Caps rep CapsChick has summed up my feelings in the best fashion.

So, Flyers website peeps, review her critique in detail and pay extra special attention to it if you plan to do something similar. Take the time to scope out the opinions of long-term female hockey fans to ensure that you hit the mark. Join the "good NHL merchandisers" category. (After all, we already like the team. We'll go easy on you.)

Oh, and don't make the thing look like a bordello, brothel, or an emo boudoir.

Decompressing on a Friday night,
Flyers.Femme
-

Away Game Checklist

Proof: #1, 2 & 3

1. Black, 3/4-length sleeve sweater. Check.
2. Orange camisole. Check.
3. Lucky, dangling earrings (see profile pic). Check.
4. Read all HLOG posts prior to lunch. Check.
5. Read all stories on Flyers web site. Check.
6. "Please, Dear God" Flyers litany. Check.
   

Guys,

My work here is done. All away game-day superstitions have been reviewed and completed.

I've upheld my part of the bargain as a fan. Time to uphold yours as the team.

Nadine

3/25 Flyers v. Rangers

Dudes, I can't look!

We're facing the Evil blue-shirted Rangers again. (God, why won't you make them go away?!?)

Sure, we beat them in a shoot-out last time. I'm still trying to figure out how that happened. Having Richie back and Cartsie still stepping it up does not equal a shoot-out turn-around of that magnitude. Must be all that game sitch practice, perhaps combined with a hex on Valiquette.

But so freakin' what?

I'm once again avoiding tonight's game in hopes that observing an away game superstition will contribute some positivity...so cue up the funky Stevie Wonder track.

Blog Pimpage, Flyers-Style

Ryan, I hope you're tuned in or in attendance. Loved all the posts from my hiatus! Keep up the fun.

Kristin, I agree! Gator, back to the Devils? That's so wrong on so many levels.

Completely, Unapologetically Off-Topic

The Jones Brothers performed A-Ha's classic "Take On Me" on tonight's Dancing with the Stars...someone was seriously off. Kids, please don't mess up my childhood memories like that!

Must go get original Norwegian 80s pop music track now to combat that sound.

Two Points; Richie Promoted

Final Score: Flyers 2, Rangers 1 OT

We beat the Leafs!

1. About last night:

Had Pandolfo played last night, I would say it was Pando-monium. But he didn't, so I won't.

I have nothing nice to say about last night's loss to Satan's boys. I'll take a cue from my parents and grandparents and not say anything at all.

(Lack of posting last night due to a celebration with my best friend over my promotion at work. Nuh!)

2. Road game susperstitions: check

Tonight I observed them all!

a.) Wearing black sweater with orange cami
b.) No watching game on TV or listening to it on the radio
c.) Reading all of the new posts on HLOG

That second superstition means that I once again relied on the the Game Summary insta-refreshes to keep me on pins and needles.

3. Positives from tonight's game:

a.) We won.
b.) While Lucifer's minions have our number, the Leafs don't seem to have learned it just yet.
c.) Richie scored a goal!

4. Negatives:

a.) Sami took a puck to the face and is now the proud owner of 25 stitches. Yikes!
b.) Lups slammed into Hatch, had to be helped from the ice and, in all likelihood, will be out with a concussion, err, "dizzyness."
c.) Briere had a Cindy Crosby assist on Richie's goal. Grrr!

Side bar side note:

Since a few individuals have trouble keeping the members of my hockey harem straight, I created a list displaying their photos and the appropriate (current) order.

P.S.: Sportsquee's Bunker Christmas Party (parts 1 and 2) feature Kristin and I, as well as the other HLOGers and some other well-known hockey bloggers.

11/08 Flyers vs. Diablos

Dear Guys,

Do it again! Start on fire and keep running all game long.

Love yas,
Nadine

Pre-game: MIA

Nope, I don't mean Miami International Airport this time.

• Gagne is out with a return of dizziness. (Jay Bouwmeester's hit or Gary Roberts' last night?)
• My Sami is out with a mild knee-sprain.

Stefan Ruzicka was called back up from the Phantoms. Guess this means the musical chairs line-shuffling will continue.

Marty's starting this game, too. Please let everyone be on fire again tonight so that he can relax as much as possible tonight.

Tonight's semi-live blogging will work like last night's...it's driven by the refresh button. I am once again observing all superstitions for away games.

First Period

Guys, c'mon. You want to PP not PK. Knuble got one. Yeah, we score first!

So, um, NO! Someone tell the Diablos WE are the team that scores back-to-back goals. All right, buckle down and make 'em pay on the scoreboard. I'm talking to you Lups, Carts and anybody else on the ice.

Will somebody please inform Upshall that you cannot do that, but particularly if you wear a Flyers sweater?

I am not even going to dignify that with a response. Can we fast-forward to the second now?

Second Period

Put the head case in! (Marty I still love ya, but jeez!) God, be there for Niittymäki.

Pookie at IPB assures me that the Devils never, ever score when the opposing team's starting goalie is pulled. I'm not putting my eggs in that basket.

Hey, we don't need to beat up on the Devils - just let Patty do it.

I miss Sami. We need his speed, his grit.

I see all the "I"s coming back out on the ice. Boys, roadtrips like this stink. It's true, but please suck it up and be a team.

Role Reversal

Normal circumstances:

• Philly would be on fire in the second.
• NJ would look like they're dead in the second.

Apparently neither team got that memo today.

Unfortunately, that concludes the semi-live blogging tonight. The dentist will be torturing me first thing in the morning. Must get my beauty sleep!

11/07 Flyers v. Some black birds

Somewhat live blogging

Dear guys,

It'd be nice to think you read what I posted last night, but I won't be holding my breath. It was sincere advice, but you'll play how you want and need to...so no hurt feelings if you decide I don't know what the flip I'm talking about.

Love,
Nadine

First Period

So, I am patiently obeying my superstitions for away games. (And I'm flinching as I tell you that!)

(1) I read HLOG and the Flyers web site today.
(2) I am not listening to the radio.
(3) I am wearing my v-necked, three-quarter sleeve black sweater with my orange cami underneath.

Apparently it's working tonight because we already have goal. Thanks Lups! Whoa! I hit the refresh button, and there's another one. Carts, you're back!

Like I've said before, I love it that we seem to score in pairs, but I'm greedy and I want more. Getting out to this kind of start is good. But, don't - in the name of all that is holy - give them many PPs tonight.

Darn, the birds got on the board! Well, based on what I'm reading, the guys sound a little more lively tonight. Now, boys, no slacking off in the second. Give Marty a break, but make Sabo work for his paycheck.

Second Period

Right, so all I'm seeing is that Umberger and Orpik had a go at each other. Waiting...

Richie scored! He's so fantastic...*sigh* I may have to put him in my harem. I am cautiously impressed at the end of the period. I can't wait to see what happens in the third, as long as it's good!

Third Period

Just keep swimming, just keep swimming!

Uh, dudes, just say no to penalties, okay? It gives the birds a PP and you have to PK. Please stop it.

Guys, you completely rock! Marty, great job at the end of the third. Randy, way to jump back in there. Woo-hoo!

Summary: Teka, bring it on! See you and your Army sweater at the WC on Saturday for Round 2. Good night, GRs!

Final score: Flyers 3, Black birds 1.