Flyer’s potential #1 goalie Antero Niittymaki tore the labrum in his left hip on Tuesday. He could be out for 8 weeks which means he would be coming back around Thanksgiving. This gives Robert Esche the goaltending reigns until then. There was speculation that the Flyers would go out and get a veteran goaltender as backup and they still might, but I don’t think it is necessary. Martin Houle is a young decent goaltender that I think should get a couple starts.

The Philadelphia Flyers are excited to provide fans with an innovative way to catch the team’s on-ice action. The Flyers will air their preseason game vs. the Washington Capitals on Tuesday, September 26 at 7:00 pm live on the internet since the game is not televised. This broadcast, brought to fans by B2-Networks, marks the first time in National Hockey League history that a game can be viewed exclusively via broadband.

Yeah that apparently didn’t work out. The B2 Network did not work, period. After all the hubbub made how this was going to be history making it did not happen.

“We are always looking to be ahead of the curve and take advantage of what technology has to offer,” said Flyers Vice President of Marketing and Communications Shawn Tilger. “Web casting this game will allow fans to view Flyers games in a whole new light and give them access to a game that is not televised.”

If the Flyers/Comcast Spectacor and the NHL really wanted to take advantage of what technology has to offer all the games would be streamed over the Internet and not have this silly rule of only allowing the games be viewed in the local market. I guess it is more important to get fans in the local markets interested in the games rather than hockey fans from around the world. Hockey is a big international sport, why not play to that?

Here is what B2 Network said about the screw up.

“It is with great disappointment that B2 Networks was not able to broadcast tonight’s Flyers-Capitals game,” said Greg P. Bell, B2 Networks Owner and CEO. “Our company has always stood behind its product and will work harder to improve the science of broadband broadcasting.”

Standing behind a product that doesn’t work, nice. Streaming video over the Internet is not rocket science, a tv tuner/encoder card, some streaming software and a fat pipe is really all that’s needed. No wonder no one takes the NHL seriously.

The game itself also sucked losing by 5 goals to the Caps. Esche gave up 5 goals on 16 shots and ended up being pulled in the second. Martin Houle gave up 1 goal on 7 shots. The Flyers were 1 for 11 on the power play while giving up 3 goals on 10 kills. The Flyers have given up shorthanded goals two games in a row now.
Two fights in the game Richards went with Ovechkin and Hatcher went with Bradley.
Two preseason games left in Jersey tomorrow night and in Washington on Friday.

Marty Murray was also waived and sent down to the Phantoms. I don’t think anyone picked him up. That leaves what, 2 more guys to go?