Thought I might actually be able to see the game, but Comcast screws me yet again. 👿
Ben Eager vs Brian Sutherby
Mike Richards vs Brooks Laich
Flyers @ Capitals 11/2/07 highlights
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Category Archives: Game Day
Offense Keeps Rolling
Saturday night was an unusual sighting for Flyers Fans.
The opponents scored a goal.
The Flyers looked slow again in the early stages of the first period until Simon Gagne netted his third tally of the season on a great setup from Daniel Briere and Braydon Coburn. Gagne would add his fourth only 48 seconds into overtime to seal the deal for the Flyers. It was also Gagne’s 400 career point in the NHL.
Marty Biron’s shutout streak ended however at over 143 minutes of play as Eric Staal of the Carolina Hurricanes scored six minutes into the first period to tie the game at one. Biron again was the glue that held the Flyers together, stopping 42 of 44 shots, earning him the games first star.
The Flyers also found themselves in another rare position. Trailing 2-1 and entering the third period loosing for the first time this season. Mike Richards answered 1:32 seconds into the final frame as he continued his hot streak with a ‘PECO power play’ goal. For Richards it was his third straight game with a goal as he passes Briere for the team lead with five.
Following Richards’ goal the Flyers outshot the Hurricanes 12-9 in the period. This was a vast improvement over the first two periods, as they got outshot 33-17. The Flyers held off the Hurricanes to force their first overtime of the season.
It only took one shot and 48 seconds for Derian Hatcher and Daniel Briere to find Gagne alone in front of the net. Almost the same spot he scored from in the first period. The play was under review after the teams left the ice due to the puck bouncing off Gagne’s skate before he slapped it in. Brier had two assists on the night for his fourth multi-point game of the year. He leads the team with 11 points.
Interesting Note: After the Flyers had one of the worst defenses last year and were always being criticized for being too slow, they answered tonight by assisting on every Flyer goal. Braydon Coburn showed his talent in the first as he went around half of the Hurricanes team to set up the game’s first goal. Kimmo Timonen made a great pass at the point on the power play to allow Richards to score his fifth of the year. And the veteran Derian Hatcher made one of his best plays all season with the game winning assist, finding Gagne wide open in overtime. The Flyers are already averaging four goals a game, imagine if the defensemen start to contribute, one can only hope.
Good luck to the Eagles tomorrow!
Marty to the Rescue
Who would have thought that the Philadelphia Flyers goalie problem would be cured from the shadows of Dominik Hasek. For the last two games, Flyers goalie Martin Biron has baffled opponents by making highlight real saves. Over the span he has stopped 82 Shots and has not allowed a goal in over 137 minutes of play.
The Flyers, who are off to a much better start then last year find themselves 5-1 and on top of the Atlantic Division. They are also off to a perfect 3-0 start at home, much better than last year when they had a dismal record of 10-24-7. Beating the Devils on Thursday night also snapped an eight game losing streak to their division foe dating back to March 21, 2006.
Although Biron has been getting most of the credit, the offense has been on fire averaging 4.1 goals a game. This night was no different than past games. After a slow 1st period start, which seemed like the Wachovia Center ice was made of jello, the Flyers found their skating legs early in the second. Mike Richards scored on a bullet snap shot high to Martin Brodeur’s right side opening up the scoring.
Former Flyer’s goalie John Vanbiesbrouck, who was broadcasting the game on HDNet stated, “I believe whoever scores first, will open this game up.†He was right.
Less than 5 minutes latter Sami Kapanen scored on a knuckle puck that fooled Brodeur. The shot look like it came straight from Disney’s Mighty Ducks movie as it changed direction in mid flight to give the Flyers a 2-0 lead. Kapanen is off to one of his best starts in his career scoring goals in each of his last 3 games.
Who would have also thought after signing Daniel Briere to an 8 year $52 million contract, that Mike Richards would be only trailing him by 1 point? Briere with 9 points (4 G, 5 A) leads the team ahead of Richards 8 points (4,4) and newly acquired Joffrey Lupul is in third with 7 (2,5). Last year in a season that barely saw any production other then the top line, the Flyers are scoring at ease, and its coming with from the second, third and forth lines….a good feeling for any Flyers Fan.
Most fans might not notice the hard work of newly acquired Scott Hartnell. On Kapanens play Hartnell picked the Devils right winger allowing the puck to be taken by Kapanen down the ice for the goal. Other times when the Flyers are not skating hard, Hartnell is flying around at 110%, fore- checking and causing turnovers. Flyers Fans watch out….he will be a great player this year.
Interesting Note: The Flyers who had a horrible +/- rating last year only find 2 of their players in the negative. Who you may ask….Simon Gagne (-1) and Mike Knuble (-2). Defensemen Randy Jones leads the team (+8).
Flyers in the preseason
So Flyers hockey has finally returned after a 5 month layoff after the worse season ever for the Philadelphia Flyers.
I’m partially excited to finally be able to watch hockey again, partially concerned that I have another season from hell to watch. Last night the Flyers where shutout 4-0 in London Ontario by the Ottawa Senators.
The game itself doesn’t count standings wise being preseason, obviously. Lets go over some likes and dislikes.
Likes
The physical play, even though the Flyers played the night before there was a ton of hitting. With players fighting for jobs that would be expected.
The fights, 3 fights during the game last night while nothing spectacular it was nice to see players take exception to borderline hits.
One of the fights
Hatcher not playing.
Brian Boocher in goal the third period. Although he did give up a goal he seemed more relaxed in goal then Nitty did the first 2 periods.
All 4 lines getting decent chances in the offensive zone.
CN8 carrying the game.
Dislikes
Being shutout.
Mike Rathje playing.
The defensive zone play.
Being minus-2 on special teams. A poor penalty kill and a worse power play.
Picard, I don’t want to pick on the guy too much since he is a youngin, but I did notice some bad decisions on his part that led to turnovers in or near the defensive zone.
The play by play commentators, but thats just par for the course.
What should I take way from the game? Probably not much since a decent handful of players didn’t play. It was good to see the young guys play, Downie, Parent, Giroux, Ruzicka.
Flyers still need to trim at least 2 defenseman and currently there is no room for Downie, Giroux or Ruzicka with the Flyers if they make enough of an impact in the preseason.
Flyers vs Senators March 17
Game number 72 this season for the Flyers tonight in Ottawa against the Senators.
The Senators lead the season series 3-0 last beating the Flyers 6-1 on January 7.
The Flyers are coming off a 3-2 win over Atlanta on Thursday. The Senators are coming off a 5-2 win against the Islanders on Thursday.
Injuries for the Flyers include Simon Gagne, Scottie Upshall and Mike Rathje.
The Flyers need 8 points out of the next 11 games to ensure this year’s team is not the worse Flyers team ever. I don’t think getting those 8 points is probable.
Flyers vs Rangers Feb 17
What a freaking game. For the fist time this year the Philadelphia Flyers won without Peter Forsberg. They beat the Rangers in New York 5-3. Scottie Upshall acquired in the Forsberg deal scored his fist goal as a Flyer, the game winner. Sanderson, Gagne, Umberger and Afanasenkov each added a goal. It was a total team effort.
The Flyers took 8 penalties in the first as they seem to spend most of the period on the power play. It was comical to listen to the Rangers announcers and analysts repeatedly say how the ‘Flyers were playing stupid’ in the first period, over and over. But yet the Flyers had a 2-1 lead.
2 fights in the game with Richards going with Avery and Picard going with Ward. Who doesn’t like this type of hockey?
Dmitry Afanasenkov was awarded a penalty shot after being tripped up from behind, but missed. He did score a little later.
There was one scary moment in the third as Mike Knuble and Brendan Shanahan accidentally ran into each other. While Knuble was able to get up after a few minutes, Shanahan was boarded and taken to the hospital. After being examine it seemed nothing too serious for either of them.
Niittymaki got the start in goal and stopped 40 of 43 shots. Henrik Lundqvist got the start in goal for the Rangers but was replaced in the third period after being injured by a shot up high. Lundqvist and Shanahan werent the only Rangers that were injured. Jaromir Jagr, Marek Malik and Aaron Ward also suffered injuries.
Geoff Sanderson centered the line of Knuble and Gagne and it looked pretty good. I have read rumors of the Flyers looking to trade Sanderson. I would like to see him stay, York who was a healthy scratch again I could see go.
Gagne, Sanderson and Niittymaki were the three stars for the game.
Flyers vs Blues Feb 10
The Blues come into town as the Flyers try to break a franchise record 13 game home winless streak. The Flyers won the last meeting between the teams 5-2 on Dec 17, 2005. The Flyers are coming off a 5-4 shutout lost to the Penguins on Thursday. The Blues are coming off a 1-0 win against the Red Wings on Thursday.
Mike Rathje and Robert Esche both out with injury for the Flyers.
For the Blues Christian Backman, Dan Hinote, Jay McKee, Vladmir Orszagh and Martin Rucinsky are listed as injured.
Michael Leighton who the Flyers picked up on waivers from the Predators back in January might be getting his first start as a Flyer’s goalie.
The Forsberg trade rumors continue along with ones for Calder, Kapanen, Sanderson, Hatcher and pretty much most of the rest of the team. 17 days left before the trade deadline.
For the first time since beating the Columbus Blue Jackets and former head coach Ken Hitchcock back in November the Flyers have finally won another game at home winning 4-3 in overtime.
Simon Gagne scored twice with Carter and Richards each adding a goal.
Michael Leighton did get his first start in goal as a Flyer and his first win stopping 25 of 28 shots. While he did look nervous
he did do a pretty good job and I think he would be fine serving as a backup to Niitty.
Gagne, Tkachuk and Carter were the 3 stars.
Think this is only the second game this year where the Flyers did not score first and came back to win.
Out of the 14 wins this year for the Flyers 5 have come against the western conference.
Simon Gagne was named 3rd star overall last night in the NHL.
Flyers vs Islanders Feb7
The Flyers are in New York tonight to face the Islanders. The Flyers having picked up points in 4 straight games for the first time this season are coming off a 5-2 win in Atlanta over the Thrashers on Saturday. The Islanders are coming off 2-1 shootout loss in Washington against the Capitals on Sunday.
The Flyers lead the season series 3-1.
Mike Rathje is the only Flyer listed as injured, but Robert Esche is still suffering from back and neck spasms and wont be available.. Islanders have a list of injured, Shawn Bates, Joel Bouchard, Radek Martinek, and Alexei Yashin.
Antero Niittymaki is excepted to get the start in goal with Michael Leighton as backup. Nate Guenin was sent back to the Phantoms with the return of Randy Jones from injury.
There has been some reporting of Geoff Sanderson not being happy with being scratched the last few games after playing a few games since coming back from injury. I was also a bit surprised to see it. But the fact is the Flyers are 100% healthy up front which means someone has to sit. This gives Stevens some flexibility and can use the scratch to motivate players on his team and I think that is a good thing.
Flyers vs Devils Feb1
The Flyers face the Devils tonight in Philly as they try to win their first game at home since November 24.
The Flyers are coming off a 4-3 shootout loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning on Tuesday. The Devils are coming off a 5-4 shootout loss in Atlanta against the Thrashers on Tuesday.
Injuries for the Flyers include Mike Rathje out indefinitely and Randy Jones out for about a week with a shoulder injury.
For the Devils injuries listed include Alex Brooks, Richard Matvichuk, Alexander Mogilny and Jason Weimer.
Peter Forsberg on his ankle.
“It was 10 times better than it’s been all year. Its fun to play again and I’ve got to keep working. You should never say you played good enough in a game you lose, but it’s definitely a step in the right direction.”
Good for Forsberg, good for the Flyers. Maybe good for a trade?
Flyers vs Devils Jan 20
Last game before the all-star break for the Flyers.