What a month February has been for the Flyers. It will definitely go down as one of the worst, as they went 0-8-2 and lost so many players to long term injuries.
Talk about your from first to last episodes.
Gagne.. out for the season with concussion symptoms
Hatcher.. sore knee, who knows
Lupul.. high ankle sprain, similar to Crosby's and he still isn't back yet. Its been 2 months.
Richards.. from what I hear tore his hamstring? Due out a minimum of 3 weeks.
Modry.. the new guy was hurt tonight, just to add to all of that frustration.
As bad as everything has been, tonight was the night for redemption. Tonight everything was laid out on the table and for once, things went the Flyers way.. against just about every odd in the world.
Of course, the day starts off with the news that Peter Forsberg has signed with the Colorado Avalanche, just a week after claiming he was not returning.
Nevermind that though, because just 14 minutes into the game in Buffalo tonight, they found themselves down 3-0. But then, something happened. Carter found himself on a breakaway, and actually scored it.
And then.. Hartnell found the net just 2 minutes later.
A slow period and a half passed before Umberger got on the score sheet with an excellent power play goal, something else Philly has lacked lately. And you know what, who better to score it than Umbie. 2 seasons ago his playoffs were ended early by a Campbell open ice hit. He definitely got his redemption tonight, scoring the tying goal and getting his team back into playoff contention.
A scoreless overtime session lead to a shootout. Shootouts make me nervous. Especially because the Flyguys are 0-4 this year in the shootout.
But once again, the unlikely happened.
Carter blasted a shot by miller.
Biron made 2 great saves
and than with the game on the line.. who else but Danny Briere takes the main stage. Oh the dramatics. And guess what. He scored. for once, Danny's shifty move that has backfired so many times, worked, and the flyers walked away from what should have been loss number 11.
So many good things happened tonight for them, and it is about time. Back in the 8th seed in the east, winning the shootout, and scoring goals when they needed it.
And oh yeah. Tampa Bay decided to trade Vinnie Prospal to Philly tonight, in exchange for a draft pick in 2009, and Alexander Picard. What a steal!
In closing.. Id just like to throw this out there.
On my way back to school tonight, Glen Macnow and Chris Therien had these comments in regards to Forsberg's return to Colorado:
"I feel as though he kicked us all in the groin."
"He is like the old high school girlfriend, you know the one that always comes back, but just leaves you dissapointed in the end."
I couldn't have said it better myself fellas.
Monday, February 25, 2008
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Coach Stevens on the Forsberg hype
It appears as though I wrote the Forsberg story a bit too early, but I wasn't far off as far as the Flyers standpoint goes, after all.
As it turns out, the Forsberg hype is nothing more than speculation at this point, and Flyers head coach John Stevens had this to say about the matter.
“I think he’d make any team better, but we’re not going to worry about that unless it is a reality. Why speculate on what might be in the future?”
-Philadelphiaflyers.com
Peter Forsberg is still uncertain that he will return to the ice at this point it seems, let alone put on the orange and black sweater once again.
As it turns out, the Forsberg hype is nothing more than speculation at this point, and Flyers head coach John Stevens had this to say about the matter.
“I think he’d make any team better, but we’re not going to worry about that unless it is a reality. Why speculate on what might be in the future?”
-Philadelphiaflyers.com
Peter Forsberg is still uncertain that he will return to the ice at this point it seems, let alone put on the orange and black sweater once again.
Monday, January 14, 2008
the one man media circus
Over the past few weeks I have realized something; NHL news is simply not mainstream. When it comes to the sport not played on a field you really have to dig around to find the kind of news that is so commonly found on television and plastered on websites for other sports.
At any rate, on my daily dig for Flyers updates, I stumbled upon this bit of information. This was posted on the Sports Illustrated website, but I think it was originally from an article in South Jersey's Courier Post.
"The agent for Peter Forsberg confirmed Friday he has spoken to the Flyers about a possible NHL return for the Swedish star. Forsberg, who is in his native Ornskoldsvik, Sweden, was expected to test his surgically reconstructed right foot on the ice this week and the Flyers are eagerly awaiting the results."
-Courier Post
I would have immediately dismissed this latest rumor, as it has been circulating since the off season. But this next statement I found interesting..
The Flyers are believed to have already worked out contract numbers that would allow Forsberg to fit under their salary cap without removing significant players.
-Courier Post
What?!
Before I got a little too excited, about the news, I thought about this a bit and than remembered, it is a little too familiar for my liking. I recall a season, 1999 - 2000 season actually, where the Flyers were a good team. No, not just good, great. The best part? They had built a good portion of their season without their star player, Mister Eric Lindros. Philly marched through the playoffs and earned themselves an Eastern Conference final bid against the rival New Jersey Devils. Right before everyone's eyes, the impossible happened. Philly blew a 3-1 series lead, because Lindros decided he was going to come back and lead them the rest of the way through the playoffs. The one-man media circus seemingly threw off the otherwise stellar play of the Flyers, and eventually proved their downfall.
For the first time in a long time, Philly has enough firepower on the bench to keep all four lines rolling deep into games, even in crunch-time situations, and they are doing this without a particularly huge marquee style player. Don't get me wrong, Peter has been one of my favorite players since I was a kid, but I just do not see a role that he could play on this current Philly team.
It is common knowledge that Forsberg is a great center forward, but the Fly guys are very well represented in that position already. Mike Richards is having his breakout season, along with the contract to show for it. A fine forward for sure. Danny Briere is known throughout the league as a solid center as well, not to mention Jeff Carter.
Notice a theme in the center position? Youth. Glorious, luxurious, youth. All three players have many long seasons ahead of them, hopefully in the orange and black. On the other hand, it is believed that at most, Peter the great is looking for a two-year deal.
The depth in the center position leads me to believe that they will ask Forsberg to play on one of the wings instead. Considering Lupul will hopefully be back from his injury and ready to go by the time Peter has made his decision on whether or not to return in the first place, there is not much room for moves on either wing either. Knuble comes to mind when I think of expendable wingers, but he is too crucial on the power play to get rid of. I suppose this would leave Sami Kapanen as the odd man out, and that would be a straight up gamble, considering Sami is a gritty hard working player, who is healthy, where as Forsberg has not been game-tested in a good while.
But when you look at the big picture, there are plenty of other teams where he would be able to play his prime position of center.
Lastly, the NHL.com article reads on to basically say that Forsberg will be willing to join a team guaranteed to make it to the playoffs and beyond. Since both conferences are very in the standings, the only teams I can think of that have no shot at adding the Swede are the Chicago Black hawks, Toronto Maple Leafs, and the Tampa Bay Lightning. His options are obviously very open at this point, and he could end up in either conference.
With all of the media that Forsberg can stir up by just considering a comeback, when or if he actually makes his NHL return official, this scene will turn into a frenzy. A frenzy, that may be in Philly's best interest to avoid.
At any rate, on my daily dig for Flyers updates, I stumbled upon this bit of information. This was posted on the Sports Illustrated website, but I think it was originally from an article in South Jersey's Courier Post.
"The agent for Peter Forsberg confirmed Friday he has spoken to the Flyers about a possible NHL return for the Swedish star. Forsberg, who is in his native Ornskoldsvik, Sweden, was expected to test his surgically reconstructed right foot on the ice this week and the Flyers are eagerly awaiting the results."
-Courier Post
I would have immediately dismissed this latest rumor, as it has been circulating since the off season. But this next statement I found interesting..
The Flyers are believed to have already worked out contract numbers that would allow Forsberg to fit under their salary cap without removing significant players.
-Courier Post
What?!
Before I got a little too excited, about the news, I thought about this a bit and than remembered, it is a little too familiar for my liking. I recall a season, 1999 - 2000 season actually, where the Flyers were a good team. No, not just good, great. The best part? They had built a good portion of their season without their star player, Mister Eric Lindros. Philly marched through the playoffs and earned themselves an Eastern Conference final bid against the rival New Jersey Devils. Right before everyone's eyes, the impossible happened. Philly blew a 3-1 series lead, because Lindros decided he was going to come back and lead them the rest of the way through the playoffs. The one-man media circus seemingly threw off the otherwise stellar play of the Flyers, and eventually proved their downfall.
For the first time in a long time, Philly has enough firepower on the bench to keep all four lines rolling deep into games, even in crunch-time situations, and they are doing this without a particularly huge marquee style player. Don't get me wrong, Peter has been one of my favorite players since I was a kid, but I just do not see a role that he could play on this current Philly team.
It is common knowledge that Forsberg is a great center forward, but the Fly guys are very well represented in that position already. Mike Richards is having his breakout season, along with the contract to show for it. A fine forward for sure. Danny Briere is known throughout the league as a solid center as well, not to mention Jeff Carter.
Notice a theme in the center position? Youth. Glorious, luxurious, youth. All three players have many long seasons ahead of them, hopefully in the orange and black. On the other hand, it is believed that at most, Peter the great is looking for a two-year deal.
The depth in the center position leads me to believe that they will ask Forsberg to play on one of the wings instead. Considering Lupul will hopefully be back from his injury and ready to go by the time Peter has made his decision on whether or not to return in the first place, there is not much room for moves on either wing either. Knuble comes to mind when I think of expendable wingers, but he is too crucial on the power play to get rid of. I suppose this would leave Sami Kapanen as the odd man out, and that would be a straight up gamble, considering Sami is a gritty hard working player, who is healthy, where as Forsberg has not been game-tested in a good while.
But when you look at the big picture, there are plenty of other teams where he would be able to play his prime position of center.
Lastly, the NHL.com article reads on to basically say that Forsberg will be willing to join a team guaranteed to make it to the playoffs and beyond. Since both conferences are very in the standings, the only teams I can think of that have no shot at adding the Swede are the Chicago Black hawks, Toronto Maple Leafs, and the Tampa Bay Lightning. His options are obviously very open at this point, and he could end up in either conference.
With all of the media that Forsberg can stir up by just considering a comeback, when or if he actually makes his NHL return official, this scene will turn into a frenzy. A frenzy, that may be in Philly's best interest to avoid.
Sunday, January 6, 2008
South Jersey turns orange
Since I've been home for break pretty close to a month now, I have definitely noticed a changing of the guard so to speak.
It seems as though this time every year sleepy old South Jersey turns into the Eagles nest, where literally everyone I know flocks to the stores to purchase their EAGLES DIVISION CHAMPS! merchandise. But more specifically, many of the local shops and businesses in town and surrounding the area are usually decked out in the hunter green we are so familiar with.
Probably the most popular pizzeria here in my town always has their windows painted for the start of the winter season. So normally, its a chilly snow scene with a winter-like icon dressed in green, a sure sign of their Eagle pride. Something that took me by surprise this year however, was pulling into their parking lot to pick up my pizza and wings combo with a 2 liter soda, and gazing upon the slightly different color windows. A snowman riding a sled, with a hockey stick in his hand? Thats right, not a football or a helmet, but a hockey stick, as well as a Flyers logo on his hat and an orange and black scarf.
With the Phillies season months away, and the Eagles dusting off the golf clubs.. and the sixers still trying to shake off the loss of Allen Iverson, the Philly region is longing for a team to cheer for, and the Flyers just might be the answer.
It seems as though this time every year sleepy old South Jersey turns into the Eagles nest, where literally everyone I know flocks to the stores to purchase their EAGLES DIVISION CHAMPS! merchandise. But more specifically, many of the local shops and businesses in town and surrounding the area are usually decked out in the hunter green we are so familiar with.
Probably the most popular pizzeria here in my town always has their windows painted for the start of the winter season. So normally, its a chilly snow scene with a winter-like icon dressed in green, a sure sign of their Eagle pride. Something that took me by surprise this year however, was pulling into their parking lot to pick up my pizza and wings combo with a 2 liter soda, and gazing upon the slightly different color windows. A snowman riding a sled, with a hockey stick in his hand? Thats right, not a football or a helmet, but a hockey stick, as well as a Flyers logo on his hat and an orange and black scarf.
With the Phillies season months away, and the Eagles dusting off the golf clubs.. and the sixers still trying to shake off the loss of Allen Iverson, the Philly region is longing for a team to cheer for, and the Flyers just might be the answer.
Thursday, December 6, 2007
Philadelphia Flyers vs. The NHL
Riley Cote, come on down! Your our next contestant on the NHL's hit new game show, Suspendee of the week!
It's pretty evident that the League seems to have an out for the Flyers. The latest victim to suspension, enforcer Riley Cote. Late in the 3rd of Philly's 4-1 loss to Dallas Saturday night, Cote punished a member of the Stars with a check/elbow to the head.
Ok. The hit was unnecessary. The elbow, questionable. But a three game suspension for a frustration hit? Clearly, and I say this in the most unbiased way possible, the league is making an example out of the Flyers.
With the suspension to Cote, the 5th Flyer to be suspended this year, the league also issued a formal warning that if another incident occurred, further disciplinary action will be taken.
Fast forward to tonight's game In Minnesota. Before the first two minutes ticked off the game clock, the Fly guys found themselves two men down on the penalty kill.
When the league said further disciplinary action would be taken, I think they failed to mention that they were going to literally hand out power plays to future opposing teams.
While on that 5-on-3 power play, the Wild "scored" a goal.
Niittymaki went down to the butterfly to make a save, but the shooter threw his hands up in celebration as the goal light went on, than off, than the referee signaled goal after thinking about it for a few seconds. So the tally goes in the books and its 1-0 Minnesota.
...Upon further review...
The goal was looked at upstairs in the center before Toronto's war room took the call and reviewed further. Once they showed the play for the fans at home, I was astonished. You could clearly see the back of the net.. puckless. Niitty had the puck underneath him, at least a foot from the goal crease. How could you possible make that mistake?!
There is no one on this earth that can tell me that huge mistake of a goal call was not made on purpose.
The Flyers managed to kill off that 5-on-3 as well as the other 2 man advantage that the Wild had in the game. In total, there were 9 Philly minors, 18 minutes of penalty kill total. I am willing to bet that 3 of them were legitimate. The other 6? Well, they may have been foul shots for the Sixers opponent, also in action tonight. I'll leave it at that.
The Wild on the other hand, took a nearly immaculate 3 penalties. One of those penalties was awarded to former Flyer Todd Fedoruk, who warned Philly that "they better have eyes in the back of their heads, because he was coming." His penalty, for the hit on Lupul, was worthy of league review, in my opinion (which, doesn't mean much I guess). Fedoruk boarded Lupul in a way that had it been reverse roles.. Let me just say that Lupul would have been the next game show contestant.
At the end of regulation, the Flyers prevailed, 3-1, killing off 8 of 9 penalties and holding the lead for the entire game. With the win, Philly moves to a three way tie for the Atlantic Division, along with NY Rangers and NJ Devils.
So in the ongoing battle of Philly versus the National Hockey League, score a win for Philly tonight. But the road ahead seems steep. And rocky. And heavily guarded by men in zebra outfits.
It's pretty evident that the League seems to have an out for the Flyers. The latest victim to suspension, enforcer Riley Cote. Late in the 3rd of Philly's 4-1 loss to Dallas Saturday night, Cote punished a member of the Stars with a check/elbow to the head.
Ok. The hit was unnecessary. The elbow, questionable. But a three game suspension for a frustration hit? Clearly, and I say this in the most unbiased way possible, the league is making an example out of the Flyers.
With the suspension to Cote, the 5th Flyer to be suspended this year, the league also issued a formal warning that if another incident occurred, further disciplinary action will be taken.
Fast forward to tonight's game In Minnesota. Before the first two minutes ticked off the game clock, the Fly guys found themselves two men down on the penalty kill.
When the league said further disciplinary action would be taken, I think they failed to mention that they were going to literally hand out power plays to future opposing teams.
While on that 5-on-3 power play, the Wild "scored" a goal.
Niittymaki went down to the butterfly to make a save, but the shooter threw his hands up in celebration as the goal light went on, than off, than the referee signaled goal after thinking about it for a few seconds. So the tally goes in the books and its 1-0 Minnesota.
...Upon further review...
The goal was looked at upstairs in the center before Toronto's war room took the call and reviewed further. Once they showed the play for the fans at home, I was astonished. You could clearly see the back of the net.. puckless. Niitty had the puck underneath him, at least a foot from the goal crease. How could you possible make that mistake?!
There is no one on this earth that can tell me that huge mistake of a goal call was not made on purpose.
The Flyers managed to kill off that 5-on-3 as well as the other 2 man advantage that the Wild had in the game. In total, there were 9 Philly minors, 18 minutes of penalty kill total. I am willing to bet that 3 of them were legitimate. The other 6? Well, they may have been foul shots for the Sixers opponent, also in action tonight. I'll leave it at that.
The Wild on the other hand, took a nearly immaculate 3 penalties. One of those penalties was awarded to former Flyer Todd Fedoruk, who warned Philly that "they better have eyes in the back of their heads, because he was coming." His penalty, for the hit on Lupul, was worthy of league review, in my opinion (which, doesn't mean much I guess). Fedoruk boarded Lupul in a way that had it been reverse roles.. Let me just say that Lupul would have been the next game show contestant.
At the end of regulation, the Flyers prevailed, 3-1, killing off 8 of 9 penalties and holding the lead for the entire game. With the win, Philly moves to a three way tie for the Atlantic Division, along with NY Rangers and NJ Devils.
So in the ongoing battle of Philly versus the National Hockey League, score a win for Philly tonight. But the road ahead seems steep. And rocky. And heavily guarded by men in zebra outfits.
Friday, November 30, 2007
The view from the top
With Wednesday's win against Carolina, the Flyers stand alone atop the Atlantic division, two points in front of the Rangers. The five game in eight night run proved successful for Philly, who went 3-1-1, knocking off the East Conference leader Ottawa, as well as Carolina, twice in the same week.
The win in Carolina was their 14th of the season.
Last season, it took the Flyers until February 10th to score 14 wins.. snapping a 13 game losing streak. That was 55 games into the season!
I for one, am very happy to see that successful hockey is back in Philly.
I attribute this success so far, to several things.
1.) Amazing goaltending. Martin Biron made 40 saves last night, facing 41 shots on a very mediocre-at-best ice surface.
2.) Patience on the power play. Intelligence and patience are two huge keys to scoring goals on the powerplay. You pass around enough and good things WILL happen. This is something that has been lacking for years. Finally the Flyers have a top 10 power play.
3.) Daniel Briere and Mike Richards. Both players have a stunning 30 points in 24 games. Danny has been so valuable to the team so far. He leads in assists and does so many little things right on the ice. Richards seems to have really stepped up his game between last season and the current one, leading the team in scoring with 14 goals.
4.) The penalty kill. At one point, the Flyers had killed 14 straight power players on home ice. They have registered three short handed goals, all of which Richards has scored. 2 of them were actually down 5-on-3 short handeds.
5.) The second period. The Flyers lead the league in second period goals, 36 to be exact. Opponents have only scored 25 against them in the second so far.
One thing I wouldn't mind seeing the Flyers improve upon is how they approach their game. More importantly, how they approach the first period. The flyers have been outscored by opponents 17-22 in the first period. It seems like if they can manage to get by the first with little damage, than they will win the game. 2 goals or more against in the first is almost the kiss of death for the team.
If they can come out on the ice with the same intensity they did against the Senators game in and game out, I could see a great playoff run in the future.
The win in Carolina was their 14th of the season.
Last season, it took the Flyers until February 10th to score 14 wins.. snapping a 13 game losing streak. That was 55 games into the season!
I for one, am very happy to see that successful hockey is back in Philly.
I attribute this success so far, to several things.
1.) Amazing goaltending. Martin Biron made 40 saves last night, facing 41 shots on a very mediocre-at-best ice surface.
2.) Patience on the power play. Intelligence and patience are two huge keys to scoring goals on the powerplay. You pass around enough and good things WILL happen. This is something that has been lacking for years. Finally the Flyers have a top 10 power play.
3.) Daniel Briere and Mike Richards. Both players have a stunning 30 points in 24 games. Danny has been so valuable to the team so far. He leads in assists and does so many little things right on the ice. Richards seems to have really stepped up his game between last season and the current one, leading the team in scoring with 14 goals.
4.) The penalty kill. At one point, the Flyers had killed 14 straight power players on home ice. They have registered three short handed goals, all of which Richards has scored. 2 of them were actually down 5-on-3 short handeds.
5.) The second period. The Flyers lead the league in second period goals, 36 to be exact. Opponents have only scored 25 against them in the second so far.
One thing I wouldn't mind seeing the Flyers improve upon is how they approach their game. More importantly, how they approach the first period. The flyers have been outscored by opponents 17-22 in the first period. It seems like if they can manage to get by the first with little damage, than they will win the game. 2 goals or more against in the first is almost the kiss of death for the team.
If they can come out on the ice with the same intensity they did against the Senators game in and game out, I could see a great playoff run in the future.
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Hartnell didn't mean it!
Just what the Flyers organization needed. Another questionable hit. Another suspension. Another media frenzy. The mullet wearing hockey heads of Hockey Night in Toronto are going to have a field day with this one.
With the fourth Flyer suspended for an "intention to injure" during a game, Philly is reliving the days of their infamous predecessors, the Broad Street Bullies, according to several sports writers.
In what seemed like a replay of the last Boston Bruins game, a Bruin player put themselves into a vulnerable position along the sideboards, tried to make a play and got just what he deserved, a bone crushing hit.
The hit will go on record as follows:
Scott Hartnell of the Flyers hit Bruins defenseman Andrew Alberts while in a vulnerable position. Hartnell's blow to the head was good for a two game suspension.
Hartnell did just what he was supposed to, forecheck and create turnovers . It just so happened that Andrew Alberts went for a bouncing puck by dropping to his knees, right along the boards..
What did you think was going to happen, Alberts?
Hartnell even tried to pull away, turning his skates and leaning away from the hit. But lets be rational here, it is a law of gravity! An object in motion will remain in motion, yadda yadda yadda. Hartnell is in mid hit, he does not have air breaks equipped in hit skates.
If "intent to injure" is the call, I could pick out a particular hit that I think could easily be worthy of a suspension. While Dennis Tolpecko pursued the puck through the neutral zone.. someone.. realizing they were beat on the play, threw out a hip, colliding with Tolpecko's knee and purposely knocking him off track. That particular kind of hit is a season or even career ending one, as a player cannot skate with a torn knee.
If your going to call it, protect the Flyers as well, please.
In the teams last meeting with the Bruins, defenseman Randy Jones put a hit on Patrice Bergeron that sent him out of the game with a concussion and a broken nose.
It is taught in the Minors and even the pee wee hockey leagues: Protect yourself with the puck. Quite simply, do not put yourself in a position where this type of injury can occur. Both Bruin players put themselves in harms way, Bergeron by facing the boards at such an angle behind the net and Alberts by going down to his knees along the boards to make a play. Come on, I don't care who you are.. that is asking to be crushed.
The Philadelphia Flyers of 2007-2008 are a far cry from what th e Broad Street Bullies were in the 70's. I have yet to see a bench clearing brawl or a a 2-on-1 fight. As a matter of fact, we don't really have any league renowned fighters on the team anymore. Just a bunch of guys that love to hit hard and do not know the meaning of giving up.
By the way, head coach John Stevens fully defends Hartnell's hit as nothing more than hard fought hockey and wants to see his team continue their hard hitting style of hockey.
I know as I am writing this, NHL analysts are talking about how bad of an image the Flyers give the rest of the league with their wreckless style of play and their lack of appreciation for human life. I say, if you want to keep playing in this league, be smart about how you play the puck. Oh, and don't enter the Wachovia Center expecting the Flyers to stop playing aggressively. That is about the equivalent of traveling back in time to ask Dave "The Hammer" Shultz to keep his gloves on.
I Leave you all, with a Don Cherry/Derian Hatcher quote.
“I think Don Cherry said it best a couple weeks ago, in that the player with the puck has just as much responsibility as the player coming to hit him. If you put yourself in situations where you can get hurt, you’re going to get hurt.”
With the fourth Flyer suspended for an "intention to injure" during a game, Philly is reliving the days of their infamous predecessors, the Broad Street Bullies, according to several sports writers.
In what seemed like a replay of the last Boston Bruins game, a Bruin player put themselves into a vulnerable position along the sideboards, tried to make a play and got just what he deserved, a bone crushing hit.
The hit will go on record as follows:
Scott Hartnell of the Flyers hit Bruins defenseman Andrew Alberts while in a vulnerable position. Hartnell's blow to the head was good for a two game suspension.
Hartnell did just what he was supposed to, forecheck and create turnovers . It just so happened that Andrew Alberts went for a bouncing puck by dropping to his knees, right along the boards..
What did you think was going to happen, Alberts?
Hartnell even tried to pull away, turning his skates and leaning away from the hit. But lets be rational here, it is a law of gravity! An object in motion will remain in motion, yadda yadda yadda. Hartnell is in mid hit, he does not have air breaks equipped in hit skates.
If "intent to injure" is the call, I could pick out a particular hit that I think could easily be worthy of a suspension. While Dennis Tolpecko pursued the puck through the neutral zone.. someone.. realizing they were beat on the play, threw out a hip, colliding with Tolpecko's knee and purposely knocking him off track. That particular kind of hit is a season or even career ending one, as a player cannot skate with a torn knee.
If your going to call it, protect the Flyers as well, please.
In the teams last meeting with the Bruins, defenseman Randy Jones put a hit on Patrice Bergeron that sent him out of the game with a concussion and a broken nose.
It is taught in the Minors and even the pee wee hockey leagues: Protect yourself with the puck. Quite simply, do not put yourself in a position where this type of injury can occur. Both Bruin players put themselves in harms way, Bergeron by facing the boards at such an angle behind the net and Alberts by going down to his knees along the boards to make a play. Come on, I don't care who you are.. that is asking to be crushed.
The Philadelphia Flyers of 2007-2008 are a far cry from what th e Broad Street Bullies were in the 70's. I have yet to see a bench clearing brawl or a a 2-on-1 fight. As a matter of fact, we don't really have any league renowned fighters on the team anymore. Just a bunch of guys that love to hit hard and do not know the meaning of giving up.
By the way, head coach John Stevens fully defends Hartnell's hit as nothing more than hard fought hockey and wants to see his team continue their hard hitting style of hockey.
I know as I am writing this, NHL analysts are talking about how bad of an image the Flyers give the rest of the league with their wreckless style of play and their lack of appreciation for human life. I say, if you want to keep playing in this league, be smart about how you play the puck. Oh, and don't enter the Wachovia Center expecting the Flyers to stop playing aggressively. That is about the equivalent of traveling back in time to ask Dave "The Hammer" Shultz to keep his gloves on.
I Leave you all, with a Don Cherry/Derian Hatcher quote.
“I think Don Cherry said it best a couple weeks ago, in that the player with the puck has just as much responsibility as the player coming to hit him. If you put yourself in situations where you can get hurt, you’re going to get hurt.”
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