ORANGE C.R.USHER

Article about Iowa Stars' assistant coach Paul Jerrard.

I have recovered from last night's apoplexy at the conclusion of the Flyers game.

Skimming hockey stuff this morning:

Not only did Kyle Calder score a goal in the Wings/Blackhawks game last night, it was the first goal of the game, less than two minutes in; and he had an assist. Did he ever have a two-point night in 50-some games with Philadelphia? BAH!

The Dallas Stars made a trade with the Los Angeles Kings that will end up putting Konstantin Pushkarev on the Iowa roster (he should play Friday vs. Peoria). Pushkarev's a right wing and other than that, I know nothing about him. These Western Conference teams are filled with strangers. And he has also played at Manchester which is in the AHL Eastern conference (which the Stars do not often play). So. A stranger joining the team. Perhaps it is better than someone whom I already have an opinion about (coughEndicottcough); he can move in and do his job and I won't have some past dislike clouding my view every time I hear his name!

Dan Ellis of Iowa was the AHL's third star. Earlier in the season Ellis was making me nervous and I wished we had someone a little less nerve-wracking to put in goal (since Stephan didn't always inspire much more confidence), but lately he's eased my fears. Bet he starts on Friday -- probably on Saturday, too? Did you know that the Iowa Stars were 18-for-18 on the PK during the messing with Texas?

Niittymaki makes the save of the game. Wow, wow wow. He made the first save, then sat there on his knees looking completely the wrong direction. What in the world was in his head? The puck slid slowly away from him, and he was looking the wrong way. An Islander jumped in, like, "Hey, if no one's going to go for that, I will!" and passed, and how the hell it didn't go in -- well, you can look for yourself, Niittymaki was way on the wrong side of the net but his stick stretched out and kept it from going in. If only more saves like that were forthcoming during a game, the Flyers might not lose 6-5.

And after reading, I've decided that I still don't know why Niitty wasn't pulled last night. It sounds like most of those first 4 goals were not to be helped: big screen, referee in the way, etc. but it could be argued that in some of the games in which Esche was pulled the goals were not all his fault, either -- the other night, for example, against Buffalo, Esche was pulled and Niitty put in to "calm things down" or whatever. I guess trading out Niitty for Esche wouldn't have calmed things down last night. Esche not a calming force? Oh well, other reports have it that the Flyers tried to trade Esche with no takers and though Esche puts on a brave face (all "I still have to work hard" blah blah blah) I'm pretty sure we won't see him play again this season.

EXCELLENT goal by Afanasenkov. DiPietro watching the puck reminded me of my cat Snacky when I zip the laser pointer spot back and forth in front of him real quick: eventually he can't follow it anymore. THEN THE PUCK GOES IN. When was the last time we saw something that pretty? And to think Mike York ("Mike Pork") did his best to make sure it didn't happen. He sure hasn't done much at all for Philly since arriving outside of being scratched for poor conditioning and then getting scratched again and again. Thank heaven for Alexandre Picard, Our Hero, saving the play.

General public at the Philly car show have no idea what "changing on the fly" means; well, a couple do. Hahaha! The dude in the shiny orange Flyers jacket, he didn't know, and his facial expressions were classic.

A night off of hockey for me; tomorrow night it's the Flyers/Bruins in Boston. Probably Biron will start. Looking forward....

I joined near the end of the first period. Flyers were down 3-1. UGH! But then the ugh got worse!!! Jason Blake scored what may be his third goal of the period (pending review of one of the other goals, definitely his second) and the Flyers are blowing it 4-1 already.

Sheesh.

Shellshock after all the trade action?? Niittymaki wanting to make the #1 spot obviously Biron's??

----------

The in-the-background guys are back. "Easy there, Liberace!" one yelled.

----------

Ok, so they did give a third goal to Jason Blake, so. (Three! In one period!!)

Second period. How many times have I screamed at the Flyers to get a grip? Well, here's one more.

Kapanen! Sounds like a little bit of garbage, but hey. I'll take it. 4-2 Flyers!

(Iowa Stars/San Antonio near end of first -- 0-0)

Honest to god, does Niitty WANT to be pulled? 5-2 Islanders. I don't even know what the hell just happened. You know, if it were Esche that had just allowed 5 goals before the midpoint of the game, he no doubt would have been pulled. Does Stevens just hate Esche, or something? What goes on that makes Niitty unpullable whereas Esche gets yanked if someone even makes a shot on him? Hmm. I mean, the Isles scored 4 on their first 8 shots. If that's not pull material for any other goalie, I don't know what is.

Two fights right in a row. Fedoruk and Simon, now Reid and Asham. Blah blah blah, so what, play the game.

SWEET! Afanasenkov scored! 5-3. Is this going to be a game with a basketball-type score? Crazy.

After that goal the craziness eased a little, some hitting by the Flyers, a few power plays that didn't go anywhere, a nearly-huge mistake that led to a short-handed chance by the Islanders....second period is done.

----------

HA! Kyle Calder has scored a goal for Detroit.

-----------

Saunders keeps saying "Bergerman" and I think he means "Bergeron." It is getting annoying (but then, I let little things irritate me). Since there isn't much else going on this third period, that's what I noticed.

(Iowa Stars still 0-0 near the end of their second period. -- No, just as I type that, the score becomes 1-0 Iowa. WOO!)

While I was about to snooze, Umberger scored. 5-4 game. Wow. All accounts sound like a bad one for DiPietro to give up, but what the hey. It's about time some other goalie than a Flyers goalie gives up a goal that he should have saved.

WOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOO SIMON GAGNE SCORED ONLY A FEW SECONDS LATER, 5-5 GAME!!!!

I'm awake now, I tell you. 12 goals in February for Gagne, 35 for the year. (Pitkanen and Kukkonen assist.)

(And at the end of the second, Iowa Stars up 2-0 on San Antonio.)

5:30 left in the game, still tied. No ease now, I'll fret worse and worse from now on. Oh man, somehow the puck didn't go in for the Islanders and the crowd was bamboozled. Yikes.

Third period over, 5-5! Oh, how I hate the overtime, because the Flyers like to blow it.

-----------

Two saves on Sanderson in quick succession. Oh, my poor heart.

Can't handle this!

Flyers have hooked and now the Islanders will end the overtime on the PP (1:04 left). ARGH UGH. And it was probably a penalty that had to happen lest a goal get scored, but damn. Niitty just made some awesome saves and I will scream -- I MEAN IT -- if it's ruined now.

GGGGGRRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGH.

I can't stand it, I really think I'll cry. Could the Flyers have controlled the last two periods any more? NO, they were AWESOME. Do the Islanders deserve to win this game? NO.

-----------
----------

11 minutes left in the Iowa/San Antonio game, Stars are up 3-1. I'll switch my internet radio to that game now ... see if I can wreck their game by joining.

Ha! A double minor interference by a San Antonio guy who mouthed off and got an unsportsmanlike conduct plus a misconduct, so he's off. Well, if you're going to be penalized, you might as well really be penalized, eh? This guy is the second-most penalized player in the AHL, according to the announcer. The Stars were on the PP only 12 seconds before Hacker took a hooking penalty. 4-on-4 for a bit, then the Stars will get the PP.

"The enemy net" -- I like that.

Lessard with the empty net at the veeeeery end, 1.5 seconds left, ending a bad no-goal streak (11 games!), 4-1 Iowa.

So, 4-for-4 on the Texas road trip, 20th road win for the season, and 7th road win in a row. That's two more points for the guys in green! This lifts my spirits. WOOO STARS!!!

WHOA, Marty Biron to the Flyers!!!!!!!

Sabres get a pick from the Flyers and, from the Blue Jackets ... Ty Conklin?

[moment of silence]

BWAAHAHAHA. That's right, I just about choked on a Starburst jellybean laughing.

While I was reading last night, the Flyers traded Kyle Calder back to the Chicago Blackhawks for Lasse Kukkonen, a 25-year-old Finnish defenseman that Joni's played with back in Oulu. (Chicago immediately traded Calder to Detroit for Jason Williams.)

At hockeybuzz.com, there is a post by Bill Meltzer about Lasse (and his connections with Joni). Sounds like a good addition to a young core of D-men and with luck someone who can play well with Pitkanen (take the place of Zhitnik?).

"The only real "knock" on Kukkonen over the years was that he's not outstanding in any particular area except poise and hockey sense. He's a good passer, but not off the charts. He's a good skater, but not blazing fast. He has an average shot from the point but seems gets it through, because he otherwise doesn't shoot if it's a low-percentage play. He also is of strictly average size, which some people said held him back in the pre-lockout NHL, but always seemed to me to be a pre-judgment, rather than a fact. No one says those things anymore. He's shown himself to be an accomplished shot-blocker as well."

If he turns out to do all these things for Philly, he will be welcome at the blue line. If he can turn Joni Pitkanen back into the player we saw pre-injury in the 05-06 season, then it will have been not just a good trade, but a brilliant one.

Five and a half hours left until the trade deadline is reached -- will we see Esche moved? Anyone else? Thoughts??

----------

Iowa Stars try for their seventh-in-a-row road win, once again vs. San Antonio. The only other game that's on tonight is Norfolk and Manchester, so it's a good chance for the Stars to get two more points on Peoria before having to face them Friday night. (And gain two more on Milwaukee who sit at 68 points to Iowa's 64.) GO STARS. Keep on messin' with Texas.

Flyers try for their ... um ... try not to lose a fifth straight? Try to win a second game in the P.F. era (post-Forsberg)? Whatever, just try to beat the Islanders. Coburn should play tonight, and maybe Kukkonen as well. If I am not out having half-price pizza with the workies, I'll listen to the game. Even if I do go out for half-price pizza with the workies, I may make it home in time to hear some of it. GO FLYERS. Make it a good game, whatever happens.

P.S. Our secretary just asked me, pointing to the picture of Joel Lundqvist I have tacked up at my desk, "Is that your husband, or ... boyfriend?" HA!!! I wish.

In an email, pal R. tells me he could have free tickets to a Preds/Flames game next week.

But he can't go.

What if I got sick next week? You know, the kind of sick that's only cured by a trip to Nashville to see a hockey game.

...

Nah, seeing Forsberg in a Predators jersey, in person, would make me actually sick.

You know, here's an angle to the Zhitnik/Coburn trade that I hadn't seen until today:

Basically, the Flyers turned Freddy Meyer into Braydon Coburn. Not that Freddy Meyer was a total bust, but I think we saw what we were going to see out of him, and it wasn't really enough. Zhitnik was an improvement, and the more I read about this trade, the more optimistic I am about it.

I like the first line in today's Des Moines Register article about the Stars' win last night:

The Iowa Stars will mess with Texas.

Dan Ellis is the AHL's second star for the night.

That's all for now. No games tonight that I'm interested in. But maybe something will happen, trade-wise, between now and tomorrow's games. Or maybe I will think of something to blah-blah-blah about. For now I suppose I should try to work. Unfortunately, hockey-blogging isn't my job.

I'm listening to the Iowa Stars/San Antonio Rampage game, joined it in the second period. It's 0-0, but the Stars are having to kill a 5-minute major high-sticking penalty (Holtet). I joined just as the penalty happened, and there is only another minute or so left in the PK.

And the Stars just scored shorthanded!!!! Janos Vas -- wheeee! 12th shortie of the season for Iowa, 10th goal for Vas. Nice. (But Shaver pronounced it "Jonas" which is the name of one of my co-workers.)

It's about time something good happens when I start listening mid-game. About 5 minutes left in the period.

Geez, another short-handed chance or two. I like the sound of that. 5-minute PK done.

Stars generating most of the offense -- 25 shots to 10. Period 2 done!

------------

Notes during the intermission. Omaha beat Chicago today and now are only 5 points behind the Wolves. It seemed earlier in the season that Chicago were not going to be caught at all, with a big gap between them and the rest of the division. Omaha's just kind of eaten up points and are really making a push. So Chicago's at least going to have to work to keep the top spot in the division.

The Cedar Rapids Gazette had, in its sports section, the Iowa Stars in the fourth spot in the division tied for points with Peoria, but the AHL has them in fifth. Maybe the Gazette's just feeling optimistic?

------------

3 seconds of PP time for the Stars at the start of the third went by quickly and now full strength. Go Stars!! (Only 3000 people at this game. Sheesh.)

Top line tonight for the Stars: Conner, Endicott, Lessard.

Going to take some getting used to.

Not a very exciting period, with the Stars mainly just playing it safe and San Antonio simply not having any offensive firepower. 2 shots for the Stars and 4 for San Antonio getting late in the third.

Only penalty so far, Grossman for cross-checking, gives SA a PP with three or so minutes left. This makes me nervous, because my teams have an unfortunate history of blowing games late in the third. ... If the Rampage pull their goalie, then it will be 6 on 4 for a bit.

They did not, so a minute left ....... 10 combined shots for the whole period to now. [snore]

Janos Vas scored the empty-net! Stars up 2-0. Now I can breathe easy. 5.2 seconds left in the game. A nice shutout for Ellis (17 shots), and the 5th shutout for the Stars this season.

Excellent. 6 wins in a row on the road, a franchise record. I don't think Peoria play tonight so that's 64 points for the Iowa boys and sole possession of fourth place in the division.

Stars against San Antonio again on Tuesday! GO STARS YAY!

(Glad I got to listen to a win this weekend after all!)

Well, last night Peter Forsberg finally put himself on the scoreboard in a Predators uniform. The accounts of the goal he scored make my heart hurt even more not to have him with the Flyers, because it is exactly that kind of action that makes him so valuable, and so worth anything.

"Forsberg scored at 2:11 of overtime Saturday night, giving the Predators a 4-3 victory over Detroit ... "

Not only that, but he was hit by a puck and had to get stitches during the second period -- and managed still to score the game-winner. With an assist in the first period, Forsberg's got two points now with the Predators. Do you think that finally scoring will open the floodgates?

#21's the games first star and NHL.com's 2nd star. The pictures of him at NHL.com have him still in the Flyers jersey -- you can tell because of the black and white collar. [sigh]

In the Philly Inquirer, it is reported that the Flyers traded Alexei Zhitnik for Braydon Coburn. When I was reading my initial thought was, "Why?? did they trade a guy who has thrown his whole body into the game for the Flyers benefit? He took a puck to the face the other night trying to block a goal." I thought he was doing pretty well as a D-man for the Flyers, worked well with Pitkanen and was baffled to hear he was traded. Then I saw who they traded him for, and I guess. .... Coburn's got one of those "stud defenseman" reputations and is young, so I figure the Flyers are hoping to see him unfold as a star D-man as the future comes to pass (much in the way, I think, they are hoping Pitkanen will return to the path toward star D-man, too). Remember yesterday when I mentioned that Shane Endicott going to the Iowa Stars was the first trade in my memory that brought an enemy to the fold? Well, Coburn played for the Wolves during that Calder Cup run in '05, and with the exception of Kari Lehtonen, whom I admired, I hated the Wolves en masse. And since they dominate the West division in the AHL, where the Stars rest, I can't say as I like them all that much now, either! So we've got yet another member of a hated team joining a favorite. Coburn is expected to play right away. he's huge and they say a good skater so I will try, again, to let the past stay in the past. Still, I liked Zhitnik. Must suck to get traded twice in a year. On the one hand, it says "Hey! Two other teams really wanted me!" On the other, it says, "Two teams didn't think I was good enough to keep." Guess it's all up to an individual's personality to determine which hand wins.

Last, the Phantoms DID beat Hershey last night -- 3-2! A regulation win, no overtime or shootout, but close.

I'm just joining you prior to the third period. I'm late to listen thanks to a long power outage, which resulted from an afternoon of freezing rain. It has made some pretty icicles on my balcony and glassy trees, but it's not all that good for power lines (as folks on the eastern seaboard might remember from a week and a half ago).

Flyers are losing 3-1, lone Philly goal by Sami "What's a-happenin'" Kapanen.

While I wait I see that Dallas has claimed Baumgartner. I wonder if he will see action in Dallas or if we'll see him next weekend in Des Moines. From the notes on the Dallas website it sounds like he'll play for the big team:

"Our scouts think this is a guy that can come in and help and fits in nicely with our style of play. It also allows for Grossman to continue his development in Iowa and we don't have to bring him up here just to sit."

----------

I am mostly bored by this period, as the Flyers have wasted a power play and then allowed Sundin to score. Flyers down 4-1. The Leafs are basically just hanging out.

Taking advantage of the dull Flyers, the Leafs scored again with about a minute left. Flyers beat to death 5-1.

Oh, wait. Gagne scored #31! That's 11 goals for Gagne in February, tied for the NHL lead for most goals in the month. 5-2, less than a minute to go. I'm not hoping for three more in less than a minute, but it's nice that the Flyers managed more than one measley goal. Ok, it's not nice to call it "measley." I'm sure Sami Kapanen thinks it's sweet, even if they lost.

I hate having to join the game so late. Not that there sounds like much to have listened to but the Leafs scoring ... but at least if I can hit more than a single period, I can still hope, right?

Tomorrow is the Flyers' Wives carnival. I had sort of hoped, a month or more ago, that things might work out so that I could have been at this Toronto/Philly game and then go to the carnival and meet, say, Joni Pitkanen, but they didn't, and I'm not sure I could have gotten out there anyway with the way the weather turned sour yesterday. I suppose things work out the way they do for a reason, and this worked out OK. Who wants to see the Flyers lose to the Leafs? I've already had that pleasure, last year March. But I would have liked to get a chance to say Mitä kuuluu to Joni.

I had a post all neatly and tidily written and then I clicked "publish." Windows Explorer choked, hacked, then died, and the post disappeared. I will try to resurrect it, but I'm so annoyed.

How did I fare with respect to my predictions for last night's games? I did pretty well, being close on the scores themselves and 100% on who won which game.

Iowa Stars/Houston Aeros: Stars win, 3-2. (Side note: WOOO!)
Peoria Rivermen/Grand Rapids Griffins: Griffins win, 4-3.
Philadelphia Phantoms/Hershey Bears: Bears win, 3-0.

Excellent. I got an email yesterday from the Iowa Stars indicating the acquisition of Shane Endicott, who I recall heckling (from my safe spot a few rows up from the penalty box in the arena in Philadelphia) in 2005, when he played for Wilkes-Barre. I believe this marks the first time a player I disliked has come to play for a team I like, and I suppose I will have to let bygones be bygones. He scored for the Stars last night, the first goal of the game, so perhaps if he continues to do that, it will be easier to let his past transgressions, against a team I loved, stay in the past. Endicott comes to us from Dallas, who loaned him after picking him up in a trade with the Anaheim Ducks -- where he was traded by the Preds in January (the Preds signing him as a free agent last fall). The photograph of him on the Iowa Stars website has him wearing a Milwaukee Admirals jersey -- and he is listed on the rosters on the games sheets for the two games I saw against Milwaukee in late December -- which means I've booed him this season too.

Many of my hockey team/player hates stem from that season in '04-'05, when I fell in love with the Phantoms. First hates, like first loves, die hard. And I hated the guys on that Wilkes-Barre team.

We'll see.

The Stars' game against the Aeros went to a shootout last night. Endicott scored for Iowa (a goal assisted by Jesse Bennefield, another new guy about whom I know nothing other than the few scribblings on the Stars' roster page), then Conner did too in the third period. The game ended tied at 2, then overtime passed, and in the shootout Ardelan and Lessard scored, while Dan Ellis allowed only one goal -- thus, the Stars won again, taking the back-to-back at Houston. They stay in Texas and tomorrow play against San Antonio, and then again on Tuesday.

With Peoria's loss and Iowa's win, the two teams are again tied point-wise (62 each) but the Stars still linger in 5th behind them. They meet head-to-head on Thursday ... that will be an important and exciting game, I wish it were on the weekend so I could go. Instead, we'll see Iowa/San Antonio next Saturday. (Assuming the weather isn't crap like it is today.)

In other AHL news, Omaha beat Milwaukee last night, so ha ha Milwaukee!!! ("Ha ha Omaha" would sound funnier, but ... maybe if they lose to Chicago tonight, I'll get a chance to say that.)

And the Phantoms play the Bears again tonight. I feel generous and say the Phantoms will come back strong from last night's shutout and will beat the Bears, but it will be a nailbiter and be won either in overtime or a shootout. I know they can do it! I saw them do it last year! Go Phantoms, WOOOO!!

I'll be back posting this evening, while I listen to the Flyers. They put Nolan Baumgartner on waivers to try to bring him up from the Phantoms, where he has been languishing ever since the start of the season when they sent him down, in a panic-stricken move. They've been afraid to bring him back up since he'll have to clear waivers, because they're worried some other team might claim him. Well, I hope not. He's not half bad.

Bis später.

You may ask, why does this girl get so upset when the Flyers manage to waste a game they should have had? I asked myself this same thing as I steamed about the apartment after listening to the loss. It seems that one of my great character flaws is that I cannot accept a bad situation for what it is. For example, when my right knee started to hurt the first time (after having already dealt with my left knee), I kept trying to run on it anyway. I knew at the surface it wasn't going to go away, but I guess deep down I actually, honestly hoped that it would. So despite knowing it was going to start hurting, I would be disappointed when it did. So it goes with the Flyers. Somehow, deep down, I believe this can be a great team, and am, therefore, disgusted and sickeningly disappointed every time they do the same thing they have done countless times this season. I know that it's not a surprise for them to blow a game in overtime by allowing a goal shorthanded to someone who hasn't scored in a year. Yet it still disappoints me so much that my ears get hot.

So I turned this morning to the AHL and see that my Iowa Stars beat the Aeros 3-2 last night. All three goals came on the power play (and one of Houston's goals was shorthanded, making another night with only one even0-strength goal). For crying out loud, the Stars had 13 power play chances, they'd better take advantage of something like that. Chris Conner scored twice, the second being the game-winner. Ellis was in goal and it was his 17th win (a personal record for him). Now we sit one point behind Peoria. 24 teams play tonight and those include Iowa/Houston, Peoria/Grand Rapids, and Philadelphia/Hershey.

My predicting abilities are poor (cf. yesterday's prediction of a Flyers win), but because I'm feeling in the clairvoyant way this morning, here's what I say for tonight's games:

Iowa/Houston: Iowa 3, Houston 1. (Lessard, Conner, Holtet -- in no order)
Peoria/Grand Rapids: Peoria 2, Grand Rapids 4.
Philadelphia/Hershey: Philly 1, Hershey 3.

You see that I actually chose one of my fave teams to lose? It's not all castles in the sky here, whatever you might think. Of course I'd like to be wrong about that one.

Flyers tomorrow at 6 p.m. CST. They're playing the Leafs. As they are predicting a winter storm of epic proportions for this weekend (at least, you'd think it is going to be epic given the way the local weatherpeople are chirping) it will be a nice evening to sit and listen to Flyers hockey. Have a nice cup of hot cocoa, a couple Oreos, and try not to choke or spill when something outrageous happens.

This morning I've also been reading about last night's Sabres/Senators game and watching the video of the massive brawl that happened. I can't stand Lindy Ruff. I recall a certain non-dirty hit that knocked R.J. Umberger into next week and everyone on the Sabres side was shrugging their shoulders, wondering what the big snit-fit was about as Flyers and Flyers fans ranted about its cheapness, dirtiness, etc. Now one of their players gets a clean hit (perhaps slightly late, but nevertheless, clean) and knocked to the ice and hurt, and they're ready to set off nuclear bombs and incapable of seeing why everyone else is just shrugging their shoulders at the snit that has erupted in Sabre-land? Cheap hits happen all the time, but do all-out brawls result in each incident? Brawls where goalies are fighting each other? Where someone else comes in an attacks a goalie?

No.

Lindy Ruff, you get the Oscar for Best Overreaction, with Mair, Peters, et al. as Best Supporting Cast in that overreaction.

Sure, I can't look at the Sabres/Sens brawl with a totally non-biased eye. I hate the Sabres. The hit was a maybe little late, but it had no elbow as Ruff initially vehemently declared, and if Drury kept his head up like a NHL vet should, maybe he would have avoided it; at minimum, if he knew how to strap his helmet on properly, maybe it wouldn't have gone flying when he got hit and maybe he wouldn't have hurt his wittle head on the ice when he fell. And I can see a team sending someone out to avenge a shot at a top player like that, cheap or clean or dirty or whatever. But what happened was a result of Ruff's deciding to go off the deep end and punish past the point of necessary.

Unfortunately the Sabres still won that game. Stupid Sabres. 100 minutes of penalties and goalies being ejected. What is this, a USHL game between the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders and Waterloo Blackhawks?

And then, I've read about the Predators, who lost in a shootout to the Canadiens 6-5. Five goals and the Preds still lost? And this is a team people say will win the Stanley Cup? Our Man Forsberg -- still no points for his new team, while Vokoun got another assist. The goalie has more points in three games than Forsberg. What's up with that? He wasn't even on the ice for any of those 5 goals. It just doesn't seem like the Forsberg we had. And then he slipped at the last second during his chance at the shootout, and missed. (Picture at the last second here.) Ohhhh, Peter. You're falling apart in Music City. Come back. Come back.

(On the HF boards, someone said: "You can take a man out of Philly, but can't take Philly out of him." Ouch, man. Ouch.)

Alexandre Picard = my hero.

---------

Thank you, Flyers, for allowing someone who hasn't scored in a YEAR to win in overtime (SHORTHANDED!!!) and WRECK Picard's brilliant, last-two-minutes tying goal.

God damn it, I just can't believe how ridiculous they are. It's thoroughly disgusting.

All I heard was the third period. I'm glad that is all the time I invested, given this slap in the face for an ending.

Some notes about my favorite hockey teams today:

The Iowa Stars, playing tonight game one of a back-to-back at Houston, are tied for second in the AHL in on-the-road shorthanded goals. (Eight.) According to the Western Conference Notebook on theahl.com, they have scored 50% of their goals in February during the second period. This means either the Stars turn it on after the first, or the other teams do what the Flyers have often done and snoozed through the second, allowing Iowa to take advantage. Either way, the second period looks like Iowa's time to shine. In the Notebook, it is said that the Houston Aeros have scored 40% of its at-home goals on special-teams situations, so keys to the Stars winning tonight would include 1) don't take unnecessary penalties and 2) keep control of the puck on their own PPs.

I miss Joel. He hasn't been much of a force for the Dallas Stars lately, but apparently they still need him. I have a sad feeling I may not get to see him again this season.

Iowa at Houston is the only AHL game tonight. Houston's slipped to last in the division. It's a chance to pick up two points on the Rivermen (who are three up on Iowa for the fourth spot in the West). Go Iowa!

-------------

The Phantoms will play Hershey tomorrow. They're going to wear a special jersey that will be auctioned off afterward. There is a picture of it at the Phantoms' website, and while I like the sweater itself (the white body, the dark purple and orange bands) I am not very keen on the "olde" style lettering, especially when it appears as though the name plate is not going to use the font. But you know what? I'm not going to be at the game, I'm not going to be watching the game, and I surely won't be auctioning for one of the jerseys, so I guess ... they can look however they want them to look. I'm still waiting for the Calder Cup season third jersey to become available. Somehow I still need another jersey that says PITKANEN on the back. And somehow I need another game-worn.

-------------

Unlike the AHL where only one game's taking place, lots is going on in the NHL tonight. Most important to this blogger is the Flyers/Hurricanes game, away in Raleigh. I bet it's warmer there.

Yeah, it's 70 degrees.

The Hurricanes are probably going to hope that they can get two fat points out of this game so they can hang on to their precious playoff spot (eighth, therefore last). Their winger Erik Cole (he who had his neck broken last year) is out with a hip injury and I think they may miss him. Philly may not have a playoff spot to fight for, but they've gotten a spark into them and I predict they'll give Carolina a run for it. The series is 1-1, with the Flyers winning most recently (December 31). Of course that was with the 3 assists of a player that no longer wears the orange and black. 3 of the last 4 have been won in Carolina. You could say "a nice precedent" but of course the composition of the team will not be quite the same tonight. All the same ... dare I type it? ... I sense a Flyers win tonight.

-------------

A little while ago USA Today had an article about the USHL. Since going to one RoughRiders game last fall, I've pretty much ignored them, preferring my Iowa hockey experience to be had in Des Moines, and through professionals. But it's an interesting article about the USHL and the lifestyle of the boys who play in it.

Last night I saw more or less what I expected. As you all know, I hate the Sabres and I hate their uniform and I hate their logo and their coach and lots of their fans, but hot damn do they play great hockey. I hate to have to admit it.

The Flyers held in it, though. I was yelling obscenities when Esche let in 4 goals, but upon reflection I'm not sure how he was supposed to know where a couple of those were going to bounce in, though I don't let him off the hook for them all. Peters was basically allowed to get the puck around him right there in front of him, and on Briere's goal, um, why wasn't anyone on Briere? I hated to see Esche pulled because of dumbassery like that, but was glad to see him go so that the team could regroup in front of a fresh goalie.

The Flyers' goals were nice, too. It took a couple seconds to realize Gagne had scored the equalizer -- I saw the referee point, but the players were not reacting as though it had gone in, and I didn't see the puck. But then it was announced and the Flyers were happy. On replays, it was obvious it had gone in, loooong before anyone except the referee had noticed. Ha! Whatever, the Flyers had tied it. Of course they blew it almost immediately. Why do they do that??

Gagne was good last night, though, bagging a second goal and at least once nearly the hat trick. Miller made some saves that I hated, hated, hated to appreciate. But I think my favorite moment of the night was Sami Kapanen's goal, scored after he made his way up, took his time in front of a defender, faked out Miller who went down but the puck went up. Beautiful.

Ok, so the Flyers lost to the Sabres 6-3, but it's a far sight better than losing 9-1, and they played like it mattered to them, which they have been doing lately, to their benefit even if they have not won every game. I think scoring three goals against Buffalo without #21 and #22 is a great thing to consider.

And now the glut of Flyers hockey on national TV will be done for a little bit, as they won't be shown again until March 4 on NBC, against the Penguins. Of course, the Avs and the Wings also play that day, and given my location, it's very likely we'll get that instead. On the other hand, you know how much they loooove you-know-who, so maybe they'll broadcast that more widely. I'll have to wait until closer to gameday to know, as right now the local NBC only says that NHL hockey will be on (teams TBA).

On Thursday the Flyers are at Carolina.

On Thursday, the Iowa Stars are at Houston.

Tonight, the Phantoms play at Bridgeport.

And that's all for now.

Want to hear a bad comparison?

About last night's game, Tim Panaccio said "the Flyers looked flatter than Britney Spears' shaved head."

Ugh.

They started out great, and then, instead of banging it out like they did the last few games (barring the one where Forsberg left them in the minutes before the game, against Toronto on Thursday), they let the Bruins have the night.

Maybe because they've had a few too many losses, roster-wise, to swallow in a short time period. Forsberg being traded. Knuble out with his broken face. And last night Eager hurt his ankle and didn't come back.

They also didn't get luck to go their way as often. Tim Thomas made some dazzling saves that I still cannot believe he made, that glove hand flashing out and snagging a goal by Gagne right out of existence. He did it again on someone else, I can't remember whose shot. I threw up my hands in disgust, all while admiring the save. And then there was the time he was down on his knees and slid to block Picard's wicked shot, and managed to keep #45 from getting a faint rebound jammed in. Why can't Niittymaki pull out a few of those per game? He wasn't all that great last night, letting in at least two that I thought he should have had. (Easy for me to say, sitting in my chair in a living room, but still.)

They also took idiot penalties. If Sean Avery had called Joni a dumb so-and-so last night, it might have fit; he cross-checked Marc Savard rather severely into the boards and of course he didn't get away with it; when he was in the box, the Bruins scored. That's just one that I remember specifically. His certainly wasn't the only one.

Now, there were some bright spots. The Flyers' goals were all beautiful. Their first, from Scottie Upshall, was a tic-tac-shot that happened on a three-on-two with Carter and Calder. You could see it coming, and it was great. None of this deflecting-it-in business -- a real goal. The second was from Carter even-strength. Joni passed from far out near the boards, to Jeff Carter who was standing somewhere near the middle, and he was ready. Pitkanen didn't shoot (I admit I was yelling at him to shoot damn it!) and passed instead, and Carter rifled it in. Another one of those not-a-deflection goals; a beaut that rocketed. And the last goal, unfortunately not enough, was Calder getting his own rebound on a wrap-around attempt.

Scoring last night came from the same few guys. Upshall (goal, assist); Carter (goal, two assists); Calder (goal, two assists). Pitkanen had an assist and was the only one not on that line to get a point.

Forsberg? Forsberg who?

#21 played yesterday in a game against Phoenix. The Preds won, of course, but in the four goals that team scored, Peter Forsberg had none of them, and no assists.

Huh.

I mean, even Tomas Vokoun (the goalie!) had an assist.

I guess Forsberg had 5 shots in his 18 minutes on ice, but that's still not doing very much. And I didn't see the game, so maybe he had a trickle-down effect on the goals (stuff he does before the primary and secondary assists). That's possible.

I have competing, mutually-exclusive desires when it comes to Forsberg as a Predator. 1) I want him to be a bust on that team, so that they're sorry they traded for him, so that he is sorry he was traded there, and they won't want him back. (Of course that may make Philadelphia think twice about wanting him back, too,.) 2) I want Nashville to go on and win the Stanley Cup with him, because I love Forsberg and want him to succeed.

I know it doesn't make any sense to wish that he would be the suckiest suck that ever sucked and also to wish that he is awesomeness that wins his new team the Cup, but in the affairs of the heart, nothing makes sense. I miss him being on the Flyers. It makes me so sad and frustrated to see him playing for someone else.

At least the guy we got is currently hotness. In two games he has two goals and an assist, for three points, which, according to Panaccio, is as many as he had all season playing for Nashville. Maybe he's found the place he belongs. Sure, it's only been two games, but if he keeps it up, well.

One thing that I cannot stand is when I read the next day about a game and I see things like this: "It was Tenkrat's first goals in 26 games, giving him six for the season. Axelsson hadn't scored in 14 contests." It happens way too often that people who have not scored in donkey's years end up owning the Flyers.

So the Flyers have to put the lassitude that came over them last night away and fight hard to the finish tonight, because the Sabres are even better than the Bruins and I really, really, really can't stand the idea of losing to them. Their fans irritate me more than any fans out there. I mean, I'd rather put up with the NHL on NBC guys gushing non-stop for an hour over Sidney Crosby* than read a single immature, taunting post anywhere by a Sabres fan.

So, then, tonight: Flyers at Sabres, on television. GO FLYERS WOOOO!

*I was watching the Caps/Pens game on Sunday and the Caps' Semin had a penalty shot that he missed, hitting the crossbar with that agonizing clang (if he'd made that shot, regulation might have ended tied, and the whole thing a different affair, but that's neither here nor there). Somehow, though Crosby was not involved, the announcers managed to get his name in there. For crying out loud. Ooh, speaking of the hateful Penguins, they lost 6-5 to the Islanders yesterday, Sillinger scoring the game-winner in the last thirty seconds. Hahahaha!

Let's see. There was some hockey over the weekend and it was good.

I've been reading about the Flyers/Rangers melee, and saw some good video. I especially like Fedoruk's train wreck of a hit on Jaromir Jagr. I will not quibble about Jagr being a good player when he wants to be. What I dislike about Jagr is that he's one of those guys who seems to think that because he's good, he shouldn't be touched, and whines about not getting calls on him (whatever Shanahan said about him not complaining to refs, I have seen the opposite). (cf. Sidney Crosby.) So when I see the Fridge smashing him to smithereens, I think, "Right on."

My questions from Saturday about the Rangers' goaltending were answered: Lundqvist took a puck on the shoulder that was owie, and he was replaced by Valiquette, a player of whom I had never heard. (Guess Weekes is hurt too, then?)

There are also some entertaining stories about the bad feelings between the teams this game. Tim Panaccio says that Sean Avery (ick) decided he would feel bigger if he made fun of Joni, saying something in the vein of "why don't you learn some English you 'dumb so-and-so.'" (Do you suppose he really called Joni an "so-and-so", or is that Tim P. cleaning up some language?) "Pitkanen did one of those weird smiles of his and lifted his headed skyward, as if to say, yeah, I hear you." And then cross-checked Avery to the ice. And then, when Avery tried to get back up, drove him back down.

I'd love to see video of that. I can see it in my head, because I know exactly what that "weird smile" looks like, and I have seen Pitkanen brutally cross-check before, but there's no substitute for the real thing.

Joni must have understood "dumb so-and-so" pretty well.

And then, it seems that Avery got into it with assistant coach Berube after the game, too, with Berube reportedly calling Avery a "gutless puke" (in response to Avery's decision to go after the Flyers' non-fighters while avoiding the fists, Fedoruk and Eager). Avery's quick, brilliant response was to call Berube a "cement head." Pot, kettle, etc.

And I also liked reading that Aaron Ward cut his hand hitting Picard in the helmet during their brief scuffle as well. Hahaha!

As much as I like to hear the Flyers playing a physical, intimidating game, I hope it doesn't give them the reputation for playing bush league. They've got to watch that they don't take it too far, but I applaud their efforts to make sure that other teams know they're not just going to come in and have their way with the Flyers. They have been playing better of late and I know it is in part to their willingness to put 'em up, either literally or figuratively, and to stand up for each other (by putting 'em up either figuratively or literally). While I am noting about physicality, though the hit that caused the damage was unintentional, it's great that Shanahan didn't sustain more than a concussion and probably some bruises in that collision (which I saw on espn.com, YIKES). He ought not to be gone very long from play, but Knuble didn't make it out so easily. While he may not have jostled his brain, his face is broken (fractured cheekbone and fractured orbital bone). He probably won't be back this season, which is a pity. He's a key component to the Flyers' offense and even though the season was pretty much a wash by this point anyway, it's terrible that he will be out.

What's Gagne going to do now with his two linemates gone? Maybe it will force him to be creative with the puck rather than have his goals spoon-fed to him. Maybe he will come out of it an even better player.

Finally, I'll note that it's awesome that Upshall scored in his first game as a Flyer, and not only that, it was the game-winner. On the other side of the trade, Peter Forsberg played in his first game as a Predator and finished -1 with no goals, no points, nada except for one shot.

Huh.

I don't want to be bitter about the whole thing, not until the season's done and we see if he comes back. But it was horrible, actually wrenching, to look at photographs of him holding up the Preds jersey with his name and number on the back, and to see him wearing one in a game. HE BELONGS IN THE ORANGE AND BLACK.*

-----------

Saturday night, Fight Night at the Wells Fargo Arena, apparently.

I wasn't the millionth fan, so I didn't win anything exciting. I didn't win anything at all. We were not in any section that won coupons and I didn't win the chuck-a-puck (though one of my pucks was pretty close, again, it wasn't close enough.) But I don't care, because the Stars won.

It was a great game. The Stars came out and they took it to Milwaukee and the Admirals were "pwn3d", as they say. The first period was close-fought but no one scored. The Stars were outshooting the Ads by a margin of nearly 2-1, but somehow Midget Goehring kept the puck out. And Ellis, though facing only 8 shots, was far less worrisome than he was the last time I saw him (only a week ago, seemed much longer). There were penalties, but it wasn't an endless march to the box. There was a good fight between Frankie Wathier and Sheldon Brookbank (loser!). They sat for a while, and at the very end of the period, Milwaukee's Mizzi (J.: "What if it's pronounced "Mitzy"?) got 2 minutes for tripping, at 20:00. This meant the Stars started period #2 on the PP.

Before two minutes had gone by, the Iowa Stars were up 2-0. Whee! At the time of the first goal, Brookbank (loser!) went into the box for hooking, which had the Stars on the 5-on-3 for that second, quick goal. Later, closer to the mid-point of the match, Janos Vas was in the box for hooking, so the Stars were PKing. No matter. Mr. Wathier scored a pretty shortie to put the Stars up 3-0. So far, all goals were special-teams, and a few minutes later, while the Stars were on another PP (there was a fight between Greg Rallo and someone named K. Wilson, who got an extra 2 for high-sticking), Vas scored. Wheeee again! Stars up 4-0!

Before the third period could get underway, there was a long delay as a panel of the glass in the far corner from where we were sitting had to be fixed; at the bottom it seemed to have a piece broken out of it, so they flipped it upside down, the rough part now at the top. That took quite some time, and the players all meandered out onto the ice to keep their legs going while they made the correction. And then once the game got going, the Stars didn't take very long to score the only even-strength goal of the match, an unassisted thing by Lammers. 5-0, wooohoooo! Less than a minute after that we had a barrage of penalties handed out: Brookbank (loser!) with an unsportsmanlike (blahblahblahing to the ref, I suppose), Wilson and Wathier fighting (Frankie's second bout) and misconduct, and Admiral's Yonkman with an interference call.

Nothing happened with these guys in the box; no score. Brookbank got out of the box and then right back in at 7:01. I guess he didn't really feel like playing all that much Saturday night, did he? And there was no more scoring until the referees called a pair of marginal penalties against the Stars (I'm inclined to use the word "bogus", in fact), hooking calls against Lammers and Grossman that were 15 seconds apart, putting the Admirals on a 5-on-3 for just shy of two minutes. When that happened, I pretty much knew that Ellis's shutout was ruined. Sure enough, Milwaukee scored. With the first penalty erased, still on the PP, they scored again -- a mere 4 seconds later. BAH! The loudmouth who sits in the front row there at the end of the bench nearest the tunnel was up and roaring at the officials about their inability to see what was really going on and to "give Milwaukee another one, they're still 3 goals behind! Help 'em out a little more! Why don't you give 'em a few more! Nice job!" When the referees steadfastly refused to look at him (they were practically in front of me, it was sooooo obvious they were working very hard not to look at him) he said, "What, you can't see me, either?!?" HAHA. It's about the only time I've really agreed with him (except for when he was bellowing at the one linesman who couldn't seem to just drop the puck for a faceoff).

But that was all for Milwaukee. The Stars scored again late in the third, Rallo's first goal as an Iowa Star, again on the PP (Brookbank in the box again. Thanks, Sheldon!) Stars won, 6-2.

8 total goals, 1 even-strength. Sheesh.

The thing about the game that was so enjoyable to watch was not necessarily the goal-after-goal that happened post-first-period (though that of course was quite lovely), instead was the fact that the Stars played 60 entire minutes and played it well. Brilliant, in fact, given that it was their fourth game in five nights.

Milwaukee just can't seem to get it done against Iowa, and I love that. 2 more games between these squads this regular season, at the end of March, split between here and away. (If I am lucky and get the job I interviewed for, that last match against Milwaukee at home might be my last Stars game. But there will be no chicken-counting here, not before they hatch.)

The Stars can't seem to make it out of 5th place in the division, though, since Peoria won a game that I didn't expect them to win over Omaha and now are 2 points up on us. The Stars should (and I stress that word) have an OK time about the next few games, and I feel better about them seeing them pull out such a great win on Saturday. They play Houston twice later this week (away in Houston), and though the Aeros managed recently to beat Chicago 4-1, they turned around and lost to Chicago 8-0 the very next game. And then they've got San Antonio twice next week. I feel their losses to this team lately were flukes and won't be repeated. But we'll see. If they can grab those games, that's 8 points, and fingers crossed Peoria won't have so much luck. From now on, every game will be very important, as the majority of them are vs. divisional opponents.

Enjoy your rest, Stars. I will enjoy the free fries your 5+ goals gave me.

-------------

The Phantoms game we had tickets to happened yesterday. (I gave them to a friend in Philly. He enjoyed it. How could he not, sitting ice row?) Unfortunately, the Phantoms lost 5-2 to Norfolk, after coming off a 3-1 win over Wilkes-Barre. Flyers head coach Stevens was inducted into the Phantoms Hall of Fame. That would have been nice to see.

Phantoms rest until Wednesday.

------------

Flyers on TV tonight. (Another game we we had planned to be at.) It's against the Bruins. Looking forward to getting out of here to watch the game, and they are also on TV tomorrow night (against BUFFALO). WOOO FLYERS GO!!

----------

*Wah, wah, cry, boooo, cry.

Ok, so I'm not going to dwell right now on the loss of Peter Forsberg. I will mention that I am now soooooooooooooooooooo glad J. and I did not spend upwards of $1000 for the Great East Coast Hockey Adventure (supposed to have occurred this weekend) which would never have been good enough without #21.

However, I am listening to the third period of the game we were going to be at. I missed the first two periods because I was out and about on this sunny though chilly day -- driving here and there for errands and enjoying my new car. But I've turned the game on and the Flyers are winning 4-2 -- but there isn't any action because I guess Shanahan took a bad hit, not something that intentional, and is down on the ice. Saunders and Propp are talking about hearts stopping so it must be serious. Now he's being wheeled off the ice with a brace on his neck. I guess it was Knuble crashed into him and Propp mentioned he will probably also be checked out -- what a massive hit it must have been.

Game back in action.

AFANASENKOV SCORED!! Flyers 5-2!!!

Ok, a couple questions: I think I heard them say that Lundqvist was pulled, so what happened there? And who is this person in goal for the Rangers??

Ok, so Hollweg took a run at Joni Pitkanen, and Joni doesn't fight so Picard jumped in to do something about it, and then Aaron Ward jumped in and was fighting Picard, and really pretty much taking it to him.

40 Rangers shots to 22 Flyers shots -- geez.

The Flyers often do quite well at MSG, I wonder what it is about the place.

Um, Rangers scored shorthanded. 5-3. A minute left. The Flyers probably have it sewn up, but I wouldn't put anything past them.

YES! Flyers win without Forsberg for the first time this year! WOOO FLYERS!!!!

--------------

So, tonight we will be in Des Moines for the Stars/Admirals. The Stars are expecting the Wells Fargo Arena's 1 millionth fan today. The 1 millionth fan gets a bunch of stuff, including a jersey that says "MILLION" and the number 1, and a pair of season tickets, and some other stuff. Wouldn't that be cool? Hmmm.

Last night Iowa lost 2-1 to Omaha in overtime, so at least grabbed a point. Milwaukee beat Peoria, so the Stars are now tied points-wise with Peoria but are fifth behind them. The Rivermen play Omaha tonight -- I have to cheer for the Knights, but it's not really cheering for them so much as it is just hoping the Rivermen lose.

Chris Conner is back -- yay! scored the goal -- and so is Janos Vas, who assisted. The article in the Register has Coach Allison saying the first period was good, the second flat, and the third a battle. What is it about second periods that they end up sucking?

Good luck to the Stars tonight; I'll be wearing my game-worn Pitkanen Phantoms jersey, but my green-and-white Santa hat as I cheer.

Now, other AHL news: Tony Voce was dismissed by the Phantoms after fighting with the coach. Apparently he was ticked about playing time. I never thought Voce was extremely special a player but he did some good things, and I realize that half the attraction to having Voce on the team was that he is a Philly native; but he's booted and I don't know what will happen to him.

The Phantoms beat Portland 2-1 last night in a shootout, with Ryan Potulny scoring twice during the hateful, game-deciding event.

I'm off for Des Moines. Later!!

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO


WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH

Leighton in goal tonight for the Fly guys. I'm interested in seeing how he fares in his third consecutive start. And the Flyers, a chance to win a third in a row -- at home, no less. I'll be physically closer to them so maybe this time my good wishes and hoping will have more of an effect.*

GO FLYERS WOOO!

----

YES. The Stars won last night, 2-1 over the Milwaukee Admirals. Lammers in the first and Ardelan with the game-winner in overtime, with Fistric having a 2-assist night.

Tomorrow, Omaha -- keep it up, boys.

Darn Stars, lost again to San Antonio, 3-2, after blowing a 2-1 lead.

Four games lost in a row.

According to the Register, February was bad for the Iowa Stars last year, too, going 2-7-0-3. Midway through the month we're at 1-4-0-0. March and April were great for the Stars last year, so perhaps history will repeat itself again in a good way.

Chris Conner, who has been out since mid-January with a knee injury, may be back by the weekend. Good news.

The Iowa Stars play again tonight, in Milwaukee. I'd like to predict that they'll take this one, seeing as they have owned the Admirals so far this season, but there was no way they should have lost to San Antonio, either, so ... I won't. Go Stars!

-------------

Denis Gauthier: "It doesn't mean much in the standings anymore but we're playing for pride and we're playing for jobs, but most of all we're playing for the Philadelphia Flyers."

All right, the game last night (a more in-depth yet rambling blogging):

An aside -- there was an announcer who kept saying the oddest things. Of course I can't remember any of them right now, but we were cracking up a lot. I think he said something about a horse once, but I can't recall correctly.* (Oh, there was one about Macdonald making "mastadonic" saves. Huh?)

Look at the videos of the goals. They are a joy. While watching, before almost every goal, I had this feeling that I knew they were going to happen. You can ask J. A second before they happened, I would say "It's gonna go in" or "He's got it" or whatever, and I wasn't just managing to blindly find the cheese; I didn't say it when there were shots that didn't go in. It was like I was the Amazing Kreskin or something. When Sami and Richards came up the ice on their shorthanded attempt, I knew it was going to go in. This one might seem obvious; how could it not? They were unchallenged. When Sami's shot didn't go in, I almost groaned but then I saw the flash that was Richards, and I knew it wasn't in vain. Pop -- right in. The game was tiiiiiiiied. Then in the third period, the same thing: Forsberg's goal didn't happen the way I thought it would, but all that scrambling and he was camped there in the open corner, how could it not get in eventually? It popped out at him and he chucked it in, it was so casual, it was so on-purpose, it didn't look lucky or on a bad bounce, and he turned away from the net with no special expression of exultation on his face; he expected it to go in, and it did, so what? (We had special expressions of exultation, though. WOO SCORESBERG!!!) Umberger's shortie was pretty too; I thought he might have skated around too far and would be at too bad of an angle, and Lidstrom was manning him too, but when he poked the puck forward toward the goal, I knew it was going to go in; Macdonald was down but not down enough and it slipped under him and in. Let's see, more goals...Gagne's -- Forsberg was in the corner and he was careful and took his time with the puck despite being hounded, and he passed it to Gagne who had a lot of space for just enough time. Even though two or three Red Wings came at him, he had long enough to look at the net and make the shot. R.J.'s second goal came on a pretty one-two-three pass sequence that took the puck right in front of the net, where R.J. happened to be ready to knock it in. And then Fedoruk's -- wasn't he just coming out of the penalty box? He was right up, a "pungent" pass and he muscled through and made the shot with no hesitation whatsoever; cat-and-mouse as Macdonald went down waaaaaaaaay too early on Fedoruk's challenge and Fridge just lifted it over him with force, the last hammer stroke on the last nail on the Red Wing's coffin.

My boy Joni had a goal waved off because the whistle blew too soon. The referee got a little too jumpy with it, but it really did blow before Pitkanen got the puck in, so I didn't whine. Well, I didn't whine too much. The score was still tied then, and it would have been great to have had the second goal there, and then Forsberg scored shortly thereafter so it was all good.

Besides the flurry of goals, there was another excellent upside to last night's game: the defense WORKED. Not only was Leighton fanfreakingtastic in the goal, but the defense did what the defense on good teams do: broke up the other team's chances, pounced on rebounds and cleared them, covered their men and kept them out. I had the sensation that we were watching the REAL FLYERS, the Flyers that should have been all season long had they not had injuries and uncertainties and tentative self-doubt. There was none of that last night. They hit and they checked and they shot and they never once let Detroit think they had an easy night ahead of them. The usually-porous Flyers defense stitched it up and Detroit couldn't do a damn thing. In fact, Detroit ended up looking like the Flyers of this season, with their defense making the dumb mistakes and hot, fresh turnovers. How very entertaining.

More about Leighton. I think that even though I had never seen him play (or listened to him play) before, the reason I wasn't nervous about him was because he seemed so calm and sure. He made some brilliant saves, and some of them I am not sure at all how he managed to get his foot over, or stick up; those may have been a lucky stretch or swipe, but at no point did it look like a desperate stretch or swipe. He doesn't seem to move all that much or even all that fast, but except for the one goal that he allowed, he was always where he needed to be when he needed to be there to keep Detroit to one goal. Very refreshing to feel confident in the goalkeeper, but he's only played two games for us so I'll try not to go off the deep end about him. I say start him again Thursday. Interestingly, I've read today that the last time Leighton had back-to-back NHL wins was in late December of 2003, when he had two in a row against the Blues and Detroit.

Huh.

Here he is.

All three stars on NHL.com today are Flyers. Of course there was only one game last night, so they had to come from either the Flyers or the Red Wings, but to keep dudes like Lidstrom (finished a -3 for the first time in, what, six years?) and Datsyuk or Zetterberg out ... well.

Flyers up again on Thursday at home vs. Toronto. I'll be in the area but not at the game, and probably not likely able to watch it on TV. I'll probably see highlights on the news, though. Go FLYERS!

*"Riding the pony" as reported in the GDT on hfboards.com. Plus another sketchy comment about Leighton's pads in reference to them being gold and black: "the carpet doesn't match the drapes." Hey, this is a family program!


----------

Iowa Stars play tonight at home against San Antonio. I'd like to hear a better result than a 4-1 loss, thanks guys, I'd appreciate it.

WOW.

Ok, so Howard didn't play tonight, instead it was MacDonald. Leighton was absolutely stunningly solid for the Flyers. And, curiously, after the first period I never once cringed or worried when the Red Wings challenged him. The only goal he allowed I think was a sorry one that ruined an otherwise spotless night for him. As for MacDonald, I bet he wishes he could do over almost every minute of this game.

I will talk more about the game tomorrow. I've got stuff left to do tonight and it's after 9 p.m. but I am in such a great mood because the Flyers crushed the Red Wings 6-1.

WOOO FLYERS!!!

Rumor has it on a Wings message board that Jimmy Howard is getting the start tonight for Detroit. I just saw that guy Saturday!

Here's hoping the Flyers have better luck getting past him than my Iowa Stars. Sheesh.

Two hours 'til game time!

Why is there a picture of Steve Alford mixed in with the hockey photos on the NHL page of Yahoo sports?

BAH. Just go away, Steve.

Anyway, hockey. Tonight's Flyers/Wings game is the only NHL game happening.

I hope it's not a disaster. The Red Wings haven't won in Philly since 1997, but that's only 4 games. And they appear to be much better this year than the Flyers are, and we can't really hope for any sort of home ice advantage (since the Flyers have only just broken a 13-game home-win streak) to make up for anything. I guess the only thing we can hope for is that the Wings might be a little tired from playing and taking 50 shots on goal to beat Calgary yesterday, whereas the orange and black had a day off.

Last year, the Flyers played in Detroit and at the beginning seemed to be in the game, finishing the first two periods tied at 1, only to end up losing 6-3. Of course, the Flyers were, like, first or something in the league last year when they played the Red Wings. I remember listening and feeling let down, but not in the same gut-wrenching, here-we-go-again way as in many games this year. It was exciting until the last half of the third period, when Detroit pulled away. Nah, it was still exciting. Last year, at that time, you didn't expect the Flyers to fly apart when the other team scored.

So, tonight. We'll see. Really see coz I'm watching it on TV tonight! WOO! GO FLYERS!

The Iowa Stars played about 15 minutes of great hockey last night, and spent the remaining 45 minutes chasing. After giving up the first goal to Grand Rapids, the Stars tied it, and in the second period took the lead 3-1, seeming as though they were now in control of the game and ready to pay the Griffins back for the previous goose egg. However, they ended up losing the match 5-3, because Ellis let in four unanswered softies (so it looked from where I was sitting) and the offense once again just could not get the puck in the net despite 35 shots on goal. Jimmy Howard made some saves that a person couldn't help but admire, despite him being on the Wrong Team. Tsk. You just wanted to point him out to Ellis and say, "They're not even making shots like that for you to have to save like that."

But it was a better game to see than the game Friday night was to listen to. It was also pretty lucky, for me anyway. Our section won one of those stupid contests. Quik Trip has these sandwich thingies they have been promoting all season. There are a couple videos that they play where one of the Stars complains about having not eaten breakfast or something, and another one says "I've got these three Hotzi sandwiches from Quik Trip..." and the first one picks one. The chick with the microphone assigns a person from three sections one sandwich type each, and which ever section has been assigned the sandwich that the Star player picks, wins a coupon for a free sandwich from QT. We won a coupon the last game; we won again last night.

Unfortunately, we have no Quik Trips in Iowa City, and it's not like we're going to go out of our way for a Quik Trip in Des Moines. It's not the same as getting a coupon for free fries at McDonald's when the Stars score 5 goals.

I was also reaaaaally close to the center of the ice for the chuck-a-puck again. But not close enough. I'm really starting to get a feel for just how to throw the soft spongy puck to get close, though. Maybe next game.

But the best part was when a puck flew out of play into the box between the benches, where the photographer stands. The photographer was a different person than usual, and she was narrowly missed by the puck that slammed into the glass behind her. She picked it up, shrugged, and dropped it into the back of the wall in front of her. But a few moments later, she turned to look back into the crowd behind her (no idea why) and I caught her eye and gestured to the wall where she had the puck. She took it out and tossed it up over to me. YAY!

I've gotten just about everything that a person can get now. Two t-shirts from two matches in Philly (a Phantoms one during a playoff game that Niitty threw in; a Flyers one from the Leafs game I went to last year March) and now a puck. I've gotten free coupons for junk, I've been in the Phan Attic section at a Phantoms game, and twice (!) I was chosen for stoppage-in-play contests, at Phantoms games. Now, I've just got to win the dang chuck-a-puck!!

Anyway, the game was ok except for the inability to capitalize and the Swiss cheese that was Ellis. As an armchair (or first-row-behind-the-bench) coach, I'd have played Stephan instead of back-to-backing Ellis, especially after the 4-0 Friday night. The game itself looked fiercer than Friday's sounded; Holtet and some guy from Grand Rapids really seemed interested in offending each other, but never really got into it, much to the dismay of the crowd. There was one "fight" but it barely deserved the name or the 5-minute majors it garnered. Nickerson wasn't really allowed a chance to pound on the Grand Rapids guy before the refs were busting it up.

With this second loss in a row, the Stars slip to fifth in the West division. Eek! Peoria and Iowa both have 53 points but Peoria gets the tie-breaker.

When we were packing up to go, a man two rows behind me saw the Flyers jersey I was wearing (I mixed it up last night and did not wear my Iowa Stars jersey, for once). He said, "The Flyers!" and for a moment, I wasn't sure if the tone of his voice was about ready to make fun. I looked up at him, but he was grinning appreciatively. "The Flyers are my favorite team," he said.

Thumbs up.

That's a nice segue. I saw in the paper this morning that the Flyers actually won last night, 4-3. A home game, where they have lost continuously since November! Maybe there actually is something to me not listening. It was an overtime win, which is even more astonishing. They didn't have to go to a shootout, and then lose?? Michael Leighton starred in goal for the first time as a Flyer, and according to the Inquirer, it was his first start in almost three years. And Gagne stayed out of the woodwork and scored the tying goal and then -- gasp -- the game-winner in OT. 27 seconds in. Nice work, #12! I'll lay off for a while, since 5 goals in 4 games is better than, well, the invisibility that he had otherwise cloaked himself with. The NHL noticed him too and named him 3rd star on NHL.com.

The fourth-straight home game that wasn't decided in regulation, finally a win for the good guys. Knuble's take on winning at home: "It's been so long, it's going to feel good to drive home and not feel like a jerk." Of all of them, Knuble's about the last one I'd label with "jerk" since I never hear or read about him taking any shift off (unlike some other others).

Today's Inquirer articles also talk about Forsberg who is supposed to meet with the Flyers' brass today, and suggests he may be thinking about being traded because he has not come out and said he will re-sign. (Not "resign.") It will be tricky with him. I absolutely don't want him to go and not come back. I'd feel most comfortable if he just re-signs now, rather than allow himself to be traded out (RENTED OUT) with the idea that he'll re-sign this summer. This latter way, the Flyers could get some good stuff in addition the Forsberg coming back for the next season, since this one's a wash anyway, but I dislike the whole idea. And what if he goes away? Might that not make it harder to get top free-agentness this summer since he won't be here as a draw (ooh I get to play with Forsberg, the Flyers are actually OK with him there and it's a good place to go, vs. if he's not there, they blow, things are so bad he wanted to bolt as soon as he got the chance, etc.)? I dislike uncertainty when it comes to Forsberg, one of my favorite players (on my favorite team!).

... I've just looked at a few sources and it sounds like the meeting happened and no one's saying anything about what went on yet. The trade deadline is still a little more than two weeks away. I hope we don't have to fret about it right up until the last minute. Personally, I don't have the patience or constitution required to deal well with that kind of waiting, but since I am only Crusher in Iowa, I have no recourse whatsoever but to deal, somehow.

This afternoon I watched two periods of the Dallas Stars vs. the Colorado Avalanche, which was goal after goal after goal. The game started with Budaj and Turco in goals, ended with Theodore and Smith. Mike Smith had a shutout yesterday (they announced it at the Iowa game, and everyone cheered and probably wished, like I did (fervently) that Smith could come back to us), and he let in a few today but managed to make a few great saves to keep the Avalanche from winning. It was 7-5! Lundqvist had a goal, too -- three shots and nine hits -- I don't think he wants to come back to Iowa. Loui Eriksson stripped one of the Avalanche of the puck in a sweet little poke and this led just about directly to another Stars goal.

I miss those guys.

Now, the other Philly team: after winning against the Amerks Friday, the Phantoms lost Saturday to Hamilton and then lost again today to Toronto. Not far-and-away losses, though; Hamilton only up by 2 goals (4-2) and it was a 5-4 decision against the Marlies.

The Iowa Stars have a full week ahead with San Antonio at home again on Tuesday, Milwaukee (away) on Wednesday, Omaha (home) on Friday, and then Milwaukee a second time on Saturday (home, I'll be there). The Flyers are up again tomorrow night, on TV, so I'll hang out with J. at her place to see then play the Red Wings. Next week they're on TV twice, two nights in a row. I'll bring the popcorn! And the Phantoms are done until Friday, vs. Portland (and then they play Sunday too).

Last:
I like this but I don't know if I should spend several hundred more on another jersey. This one is just preseason anyway ("just") and isn't the number he currently wears in Dallas either. Maybe I'll just see what the price gets to be the time the auction closes -- $210, the current bid, isn't actually all that outrageous.

Listening to the Iowa Stars game tonight.

Fifth shot on goal for Grand Rapids and they have the lead, 1-0. I am not sure but I don't think the Stars have even one shot on goal yet (six minutes in).

Nope. They don't with less than eight minutes gone.

Ellis is in goal tonight for the Stars. He makes me so nervous the way he likes to come way out; haven't heard him doing that yet, but I bet it's only a matter of time.

Finally, a shot for the Stars, at about nine minutes -- Sertich to Vas, denied though. Really are going to have to do better than one shot per nine minutes of game, unless those shots end up being the kind that find the back of the net. And so far, they aren't -- another shot blocked.

All right, the Stars are making more shots -- still not making anything in, though Scalzo must have had an awesome attempt because Jason Shaver got all worked up. You know, I don't listen to Stars games nearly as much as I listen to Flyers, and I'm often at the games, so it feels a little strange to hear commentary, since I'm more used to watching them than listening to them.

Grand Rapids ranked 26th, I think he said, on the power play, which they have now because of a hooking minor on Hacker; that's not all that good, hope Ellis knows that.

Well, Ellis made a good save, but GR hooked, too. 4-on-4 for a bit then Iowa Stars power play for the third time already tonight. What are they ranked in that stat? Heh, not very good tonight anyway, only 1 shot on 3 PP chances. Now, on the PK again because of too many men on the ice. What a bad penalty to take. Always.

It sounds like there is a guy playing for Iowa whose name I don't recognize. Rallo? A center. I don't remember getting an update email about him ... called up from the Steelheads where it looks like he's only played 7 games. New guy!

First period done, Stars down 1-0. Not all that exciting. Stars need more shots next period -- only 8 shots in the first (though Grand Rapids got only 10).

-----------

I really have no idea what my neighbors are doing. I hear guys' voices and it sounds like maybe one of them has the other in a WWE-type headlock because there is a lot of strained "WAAAUUGHGAAAAAAGH" that doesn't sound exactly serious but, sheesh, is disturbing all the same. And getting in the way of my listening to the internet radio. Hmph.

According to the interim announcer, the Phantoms are ahead of the Rochester Americans 2-1. Yay! Go Phantoms!

Ooh, tomorrow night's game will be on TV. I'll have to arrange to have it recorded so I can see myself behind the bench. Another minute or two of "fame"!

------

Early in the second -- 42 seconds! -- on the power play, Ellis made a save, the puck was loose, Grand Rapids scored again.

Poor starts, boys. Must do better. Sad thing to have the other team score because you had too many men on the ice.

"Stars are a little bit challenged up front" -- thanks to injury (Green, May, Conner) and callups (Lundqvist, Barch), Shaver couldn't hit the nail any more on the head. I don't know anything about Rallo except the few stats that are in his bio on the Iowa Stars site; but basically, he has been no Joel Lundqvist.

Vas down. Now on his way out. Not too good for the Stars, already so short on forwards that Nickerson joins them, up from the blue line.

Well, Vas is back. But geez, guys! Stop giving up shorthanded chances!!! ARRRGH! The Stars are just not having any luck. Better offensive action, it's just not finishing.

Well, Vas is going back out.

There again. BOO! Shorthanded goal for Grand Rapids. Stars down 3-0. A goal-scoring trifecta for Grand Rapids now: full-strength, power play, shorthanded. And the Stars have a pretty deep hole to get themselves out of. Seems not likely unless the Griffin come apart, because they're holding the Stars out pretty effectively so far.

So far this period, 8 shots for Iowa, 9 for Grand Rapids: no goals for Iowa, 2 for GR. Tsk.

That's it for two -- 3-0 yet.

-----------

Portland over Wilkes-Barre! Any time that Wilkes-Barre loses, I'm ok with that, no matter who it is winning. (Except maybe Hershey. Toss-up time.)
3:34 left, Phantoms lead Rochester 3-2. WOO. Go Phantoms! Don't be like the Flyers! WIN IN REGULATION!

------

Twice the Stars have come back after two to win, one of those times against Grand Rapids. But it's probably a taller order this time, down by three goals. Ugh.

No Vas in the third. Guess it will probably say on the game preview sheet what sort of injury he has. Only 10 guys up front for Iowa.

Lessard-Lammers-Holtet

More bad luck. Can't jam it in.

Apparently Rallo has played for Iowa this season already. I don't remember it. Huh. One of those weekday games I didn't listen to?

Lessard-Nickerson-Hacker

Rallo-Holtet-Lammers

Really mixing lines up, probably quite desperate.

Now Holtet in the box, geez.

Stars now have 25 shots to 23, still cannot get a goal!

Cripes, a fourth Griffins goal. Rebound off Ellis, shot goes over the glove.

11 minutes to score 4 goals? Good luck, Stars.

Another 0 shots on a power play opportunity. No way are they coming back for this game. It would be the 8th Wonder if they did. Poor Stars, can't get anything going, bounces not helping, etc. They are not playing all that well, but I can't really tell that Grand Rapids are playing all that fantastic either -- just are stuffing the Stars and getting past Ellis seems easy for them tonight (sorry, Dan, but you're not the only goalie who looks shaky this year; Stephan falls apart easily, too, I've noticed. Mike Smith was the Stars' best goalie, and naturally Dallas has their hooks in him, signing him for two years for just shy of a million each year. He ain't a-coming back. Why is it that two of my favorite teams have goalies I feel uneasy about? That's right, as much as I love Niitty, lately I wonder which Niitty is going to be the one that shows up.)

This is a pretty sad homestand lately -- they are about to be 1-3.

According to Shaver, a big crowd is expected for tomorrow night's game. Stars better take some hate for the Griffins into tomorrow's game. I sure as hell don't want to drive all the way to Des Moines to see the Stars get shutout.

Before I head out, let's see how the Phantoms did:

3-2 over the Amerks. WOOO! All PHI goals came in the second period: Reid, Zingoni, Meloche (this last one assisted by Davis. Who is that?? Remember the lockout year when the AHL rosters were totally stable, with rare call-ups from ECHL teams when there were occasional injuries? I miss that. The good guys didn't have anywhere to go, so unless someone was hurt, the top lines weren't depleted because someone in the NHL got hurt.)

San Antonio are pushing Milwaukee to overtime. Well, I'll be. What's up with the lowlies? I am OK with them beating Milwaukee, seeing as we didn't get any points tonight it'll be good for Milwaukee not to get two, too.

Ok. Maybe I blame myself for the Stars losing tonight. I did listen, after all, and I seem to be bad luck. Less bad luck for the Stars in person -- I'll have to sit down sometime and see what percentage of games I was at were won vs. lost.

And then tomorrow, also, the Flyers in the evening while I am in Des Moines. Since I won't be able to listen to the Flyers, they should win, right?

Reading today's Inquirer. The headline for the story about the Flyers game says that Gagne had a pair of goals. I figured Panaccio knew better than to have missed a goal, so assumed one of Gagne's goals had been reassigned; sure enough, given to Knuble, thus Gagne didn't get a hat trick and Forsberg ended up with "only" three assists for the night.

I'm just so happy that they didn't fold after the Pens scored two goals in quick succession at the start of the third period. Seriously, I was so happy when they tied it that I actually yelled out loud, which I just about never do (conscious of my neighbors, I am too nice). And it was a pleasure, though an anxious one, to listen to them dominate the overtime, but it was disappointing that despite the chances, they didn't get the winning goal.

And it was bitterly disappointing that it was Crosby that ended up scoring the game-winner in the shootout.

Bah. But he was otherwise held to no points against the team that usually hands them to him on golden platters. There's a bright spot.

BUT #1. 4 of the 7 games that the Flyers have lost to Pittsburgh this year have been close. The 4-0 drubbing of a season opener feels like some other season, not this one, and the 8-2 shattering only a few weeks later is equally as far off in my memory. The most recent bad score was mid-December, 8-4, and to be honest I don't even remember that. (Though I could go look, why depress myself?) The rest all had a difference of 1 or 2 goals. They almost had it last night, too. So close. Ashes.

BUT #2. With the exception of the totally non-shiny effort against the Islanders Wednesday night (snoooooooze), the last few games have shown that the Flyers pretty much can play with anyone. It's unfortunate that they can't manage to turn all that effort and checking and domination into goals, into wins.

Next chance for the Flyers to prove themselves is Saturday -- Blues at Flyers. I'll be in Des Moines for Griffins at Stars, so I can't listen. But, look, obviously when I'm not listening, the Flyers rock-'n'-roll. Maybe I will come home to find the Blues were blown out. (Except now that I've hoped for it, I've ruined it. When will I learn to keep my fingers still and not type that kind of stuff?)

So, yeah, Griffins at Stars. Game 1 of this two-game homestand against Grand Rapids happens tonight. The last time the Stars played Grand Rapids was a few days before Christmas last December; it was a close one, but the Stars won, on the road (4-3 in overtime). If the Stars can choose not to crumble in the third period (and play the other two like they should, as well) they should come out with the game, even without Lundqvist, Conner, et al. It's been two weeks since my last game; how have I survived? Sooo looking forward to Saturday's match. They're giving away stuffed zambonis, and of course I have to add to my collection of hockey-related junk, so we will be there early for this... We also have tickets to the following Saturday game (vs. Milwaukee), and then we have to wait two weeks again, since there isn't a home game the weekend of the 24th/25th. But on March 3, we're right behind the bench and there early for Krys Barch bobbleheads.

Maybe there is a Roughriders game that spare weekend.

Nope.

Oh my god the Flyers tied the game with less than a minute and a half to go. To be honest in the last five minutes (which is all I got to hear) when I heard they were down 4-3 I figured that was it, they NEVER score late to tie. Then they did, and I actually jumped up and yelled, "YES! THEY DID IT!" while turning to the cat on the chair behind me. He ran off. Clearly needs to learn how to be a Flyers fan.

What madness have I missed tonight?

Gagne -- hat trick!? When he decides not to be invisible anymore, he really comes out of the woodwork, no?

Forsberg -- four assists??? The man is just *@#$ing awesome. I do not want to see him traded for any reason.

Now it's overtime, and I can't bear it.

Niittymaki saved their lives a couple times. Just about too much for me. Arrrgh.
-------------

Shootout. Ugh. Not much success here. 2 for 23 shot attempts this season. That's really poor. Sheesh. Guess I will just bite my nails here.

Niitty stops Pens shot #1. Ok.

Fleury stops Carter.

Malkin's up ... hit the goal post. Sounds like he had Niitty beat, so lucky for the Fly guys.

Forsberg's turn -- HIT THE POST.

Crosby now. BOOOOO. .... he scored. &^#@

Gagne must make this shot.

Awwwww, dammit!!

I sincerely hope the Flyers choose to play with grit and determination and fight tonight against the loathsome Penguins. Forsberg got a stick in the mouth last night and maybe someone will take it out on Pittsburgh and put another stick into Crosby's face.

Sheesh, I'm mean.

I hate the Penguins. You see the warning at the top of this blog -- when I say "totally biased" I mean "totally biased."

Flyers must play the second period. It's not really good enough to have a good first and a decent third. That middle period matters, too. They also must play with intensity through the entire 60 minutes. Get their hate on for Pittsburgh. If they need some extra, I've got some.

The team comparisons on the preview of tonight's game at NHL.com show that the Flyers' penalty kill is at 4th in the league. This is pretty good, considering how poor the PK was last year. I suppose a person could say at least the Flyers don't scrub the bottom of the barrel in all categories this season ... just don't look at the number right above it, if you can avoid it (though of course I will ruin it for you and tell you what it is: Flyers rank 27th on the power play). It's not too good. In fact most of the numbers aren't too good, but the PK rank and the "% win when leading after 2" are nice (0.889). Guess what the Flyers need to do is always be leading after 2, they'll have their best chance of winning (according to stats, which, naturally, can be made into liars).


-----

Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins beat the Phantoms last night 5-2. No glorious coming back there, huh.

It is chilly enough in my spare room, a.k.a. the second bedroom, a.k.a. my office, where the computer is, that I am halfway considering just moving the computer to the counter between the kitchen and living room because it is at least 10 degrees colder in here than the rest of the place and makes listening to the Flyers for 2 or 3 hours not very comfortable. With the door open it warms up a couple of degrees...but not much.

But no time for moving the computer now. Flyers are on!

First period, not all that exciting. New York scored the only goal, but the Flyers had a handful of great chances. Gagne wasted a great pass by Forsberg by not getting it past a flummoxed DiPietro, and then a moment later shot wide. A few others were just disrupted. Flyers sound OK. The New York goal was probably not stoppable; the Islander who was bringing the puck in with the obvious shot didn't take the shot, and Niittymaki was probably committed to him. Instead, the puck was passed to another Islander in a terrible scoring position, and ended up scoring on a very bad angle. An "impossible" angle, according to Tim Saunders.

Oh well.

--------------

(I love the Cingular commercial that says their "all-over network" is not available in all areas. Um.)

----------

Islanders up 2-0 just as a delayed penalty on Philly was called, early in the second. Too much was going on, sounds like the puck was bouncing around and Niitty was out of position, and Satan (teehee!) rifled it in.

Jeff Carter was robbed. Booo.

But then Niitty robbed a couple Islanders, so it's all good.

2nd period ends with Flyers down 2-0. Last game, the Flyers were able to come back being down going into the third ... it was probably a fluke, but maybe they will get it together. They really controlled the first period, despite not scoring and giving up the one goal, but this second period was mostly New York's.

------------

Need a much stronger third period. More hits, more faceoff wins, and, of course, SOME GOALS.

... I'm SO GLAD that the radio spent SEVEN MINUTES of the third period PLAYING COMMERCIALS .... and now some weird, I don't know, sounds like they were either skipping backwards or forwards in time. I am very confused.

12:30 or so to go. I can't believe they played commercials for so long and missed that much of the period!! At least nothing seems to have happened (i.e. no Islanders goals, no Flyers goals). Grr!

Bogus damn call against Richards for goalie interference when he was thrown into DiPietro by Kozlov. Give me a break. Flyers down 5-on-3 since Eager's already in the bench. I'm doubting the Flyers are going to manage anything tonight, and it makes me sad.

The Flyers are just not finding each other around the net.

Propp is so optimistic. With 3 minutes left, he's all sure the Flyers still have a chance.

Flyers are shut out. 2-0.

I don't have much to say. The game was pretty boring. They just couldn't turn their chances into goals and Forsberg was nullified most of the game (and was hit a few times that were ignored) and there wasn't much forward momentum and that, my friends, is that.

29? games left.

So, I didn't pay attention to the Iowa Stars game last night, and I saw the headline on the front page of the Register online:

"Stars fall apart in third, fall to Rampage."

Are you kidding me?

Nah. "A defensive collapse in the third period by the Iowa Stars gave the American Hockey League's worst road team the chance to take over the game Tuesday. The San Antonio Rampage scored four unanswered goals during a 7:11 span in the third period to snag a come-from-behind 4-1 win at Wells Fargo Arena."

Ugh, Stars!! What's up with losing to a team with such a terrible record? (Hmmm...I hear echoes of Bobby Holik complaining that the Thrashers lost two to the worst team in the NHL.)

Sounds like there should be no excuse, as hitting the crossbar and post and not scoring are not exactly excuses; "defensive breakdowns" shouldn't be happening against a team with the worst road record in the AHL.

It is perfectly OK for the Flyers to have the worst record and beat top teams. That's because the Flyers' record, I think, lies about the actual abilities of the players to be much better than it shows. The way they have been playing lately says to me that they could have fared much, much better if they had figured it out before 52 games had gone by. The Rampage, though? When have they ever been anything but bottom feeders? (I guess in 2002-2003, what appears to be their first season, they actually finished with 87 points and were third in what was the West Division then. Otherwise, since then, they've hovered next-to-last or last, going downhill, 68 points, thyen 62 points, then last year a sad 53.) So it's NOT OK for them to beat better teams like the Stars. The only way it's going to happen is if the better team goes to sleep. Like I said, there is no excuse for the Stars' disintegration in the third period like that.

Anyway, the loss of the points is bad news for the Stars, but they have a couple days to think about what they did and then make it better on Friday, when they play Grand Rapids, and especially by Saturday, when they play Grand Rapids again and I will be in the audience. I don't want to see a come-from-behind Griffins win in the third period. (J. threatens to jump over the glass and pound the Stars if that happens. It's a funny image, mainly because of its total nonlikelihood. We talk big, but we don't walk the walk.)

But Houston beat Omaha last night, too, in a shootout, so it was a night for the dredges of the West division to beat their betters. And that's reasonably good for Iowa, too, since the Knights didn't stretch out their second-place lead by two more points.

In last night's Dallas/Minnesota game, Joel Lundqvist had an assist on the fourth goal (Dallas won 4-2). According to J., who saw the game, he was hitting like a Mack truck last night. He usually plays pretty physical, so that's no surprise. But, aw, Joel ... come back to Iowa. We miss you.

Tonight it will be Phantoms vs. baby Pens. The Phantoms are unbeaten in regulation in their last four (that sounds pretty, but there were two shootout losses, remember?) with Leighton in goal; Leighton has now finished his "conditioning" in the AHL and will probably back up Niitty tonight since Esche is apparently still suffering neck and back spasms. Also, according to the AHL's Eastern Conference Notebook, "The Phantoms scored seven goals in its win over Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on Jan. 26, marking the most goals they have scored in a game since May 13, 2005 against Wilkes-Barre/Scranton en route to the Calder Cup." That was the best game ever. I've mentioned this wondrous game before, and because I am otherwise low on content today (and because I love to daydream about that game) I will re-post my old blog post from that game. You can skip ahead if you're not interested, of course.

This is a mega-hockey post.
So, last night. We narrowly missed also being in seat 13 in row 13 in section 113 on Friday 13. (We were in 12 and 11.) I was wearing my lucky Pitkanen jersey again of course. In the Will Call line there was a dad who had on the Flyers' third jersey with Pitkanen's name and number--a very, very cool shirt. I saw a couple other Pitkanen fans scattered around the arena, but all dudes. Our seats were not bad. We were well placed to see all the action with no Plexiglas distortion, but in my recently-spoiled state I did think they were too far back. Thanks to traffic (thanks to a Phillies home game at the same time) we arrived at our seats just before the boys came out of the tunnel in the dark and zappy lights.

I was very excited for this game. I actually had that little pang-y feeling in my stomach thinking about it most of the day, and wanted to jog to our seats so as not to miss a single second. There were numerous Penguins fans scattered around the arena but mostly on the curve, a few around us but not many in center ice section. (Farther down.) We were handed maracas on arriving, transparent orange plastic filled with little beads that made a lot of wonderful noise throughout the game. (These all turned out to be a disastrous idea at the end, though.*)

Game underway, and Phantoms went almost immediately to the penalty box -- Wade Skolney at 9 seconds for a high stick that I must say I did not see. Forty seconds later Mike Richards scored and every Phantom fan thought that would set the tone of the game and that people's signs reading "PENGUINS IT'S OVER" and similar would not be proven wrong. Unfortunately, Niitty did not stop that W-B/S goal at 1:28. The Phantoms' quick jump ahead was nullified and basically we were back to the beginning. For a while the Phantoms dominated the play and the puck remained mostly in the W-B/S end of the ice, but the puck never made it where it needed to be. After a while the Penguins started to take the puck away from Phila and while the Phantoms outshot them 10-6 in the first period, the Pens scored again late. Phila were unable to make good on two power plays. They looked a little disorganized and kind of as if they were not willing to take shots; Pitkanen for sure did more passing and wasting of opportunities than he should have and he was not the only one (just the one I remember most specifically).

Being down 2-1 going into the second period is not a terrible position, however, unless you come out of the locker room like the Phantoms did and play pretty sadly. It was obvious before the game even got started that W-B/S were going to give everything they possibly could and try everything under the sun to win, given that it was do-or-die, and obviously when they came out for the second period, they had not changed the philosophy and even stepped it up. Penguins had fourteen shots on goal to Phila's pathetic five, and one of those fourteen shots went in (and none of our five). That Penguins goal came on a power play that resulted from a stupid roughing call Pitkanen drew; I was pretty disgusted with him. The other day when he played rough it worked to Philly's advantage, but this time the team was playing completely oppositely and it only served to push them down farther. I began to think about reserving tickets for a possible Game 7, because it was looking more and more like the Phantoms would be heading back to Wilkes-Barre, where it is tough for them to win. (Though they have not recently lost two in a row, their record at Wilkes-Barre is not that good.) It was with frustration that the period ended.

While we were well-placed for t-shirts, we did not get one in either intermission. One came so very close, however; hit the row in front of us a couple seats down. Na ja. I almost snagged a hot dog during the weiner toss, but it had a little too much on it as the guy was intending to throw it to a girl in the row in front of me and down a little; just over my fingertips. Not that I really wanted it at that point; I had just finished a moderately-bad little pizza. I have had almost no appetite all week, but suddenly while I was waiting for the train home from work it all hit me, and I was very hungry. Didn't have time to eat more than a quick, small bowl of cereal before M. picked me up, so I bougt that ridiculously expensive and not very good pizza to help out with that hunger situation. Anyway! I tried to be optimistic about the game, because I have after all seen the Phantoms comeback from such a deficit, but not lately, so my pessimistic side was winning out.

And it won out with big time disgust as, barely more than half a minute into the period, Niitty let past the most unbelievably stupid goal to allow W-B/S to hit 4-1. The Penguin had lobbed it to him from a hard side angle, almost nothing behind it. It slipped behind Niitty's pads, and as he fumbled for it behind him, it slid into the goal. I don't know why they didn't mark him up for having scored the goal, or at least assisted on it. HMPH. At that point the Phantoms pulled Niitty, which I have never seen happen, and he marched right out of the playing space under the tunnel. As disgusted as I was (and thousands of others were) by that terrible mistake, I'm sure he felt a thousand times worse. (I said to M., "So much for the lucky jersey" and suggested that as soon as I got home I would be reserving tickets for the possible Game 7. Oh, me of little faith.) Niittymaki did come back out after a while and stood and watched the insanity unfold. Neil Little, whom I have not seen play in some time, came out to guard the net. The Phantoms suddenly shed their lethargic skin and emerged as the real team. Josh Gratton scored a goal at 8:37 and everyone celebrated and I thought at least the Phantoms would not go out of the game with only that single shot waaaaay at the start. 4-2 is still a bit of a stretch, though; however, there was a lot of time left, so I began to think hope would not be unreasonable.

Just after halfway through the period, Penguins went a man down due to a penalty when one of their guys crashed the net, pulling a goaltender interference charge, and Jeff Carter scored his eighth goal of the playoffs on the power play to put us within reach at 4-3. It was a beautiful shot on a beautiful pass from Patrick Sharp. I was kind of stunned, and it was exciting to realize we were actually back in the game with a real chance, given how much time there was left. Only a minute later Jon Sim put in another beautiful shot and tied the game. The whole place went absolutely frenetic, and it was here when I started not to believe my eyes. Slightly more than another minute later, Ryan Ready won the game by slapping in a rebound for the fifth, tie-breaking goal. W-B/S pulled Andy Chiodo and put in Marc-Andre Fleury. The Wachovia Center's roof rocked with the roars that followed this amazing comeback-in-progress. The Penguins totally disintegrated. After the Phantoms went up 5-4, Neil Little was pulled back out after having had to stop only two shots on goal, and Niittymaki went back in. For a few minutes the puck went back and forth, but it was mainly the Phantoms who controlled it. W-B/S made only another 3 shots in the last six minutes after Niitty came back. At 17:20 Jeff Carter put the puck in for his 9th wondrous playoff goal, and Phantoms were up 6-4. I honestly felt like crying with joy. It was that intense in the place, not a single Phantoms fan sitting down and absolute pandemonium in the air. The last 2.5 minutes were all Phantoms and no one was sitting down; Marc-Andre Fleury was pulled to put an extra attacker on for the Penguins but it did no good for them whatsoever and with less than 4 seconds left, Jon Sim whacked a shot from near-center ice that went solidly into the empty net (after a similar attempt by another Phantoms not long before that went wide) for the seventh magical goal.

The momentum that started with Gratton's goal just never paused for a second thereafter, building to runaway-train status only minutes later. It was outrageous. It was outstanding. It was the greatest game I've ever seen. The transformation between the Phantoms at the start of the third period to the demolishers they became after Gratton's goal was unbelievable. I honestly could barely stand to look when the Phantoms pulled within reach with that third goal, and when they tied it up, it was even more painful. At the tie-breaker the dazzlement began, and now, at nearly 2 p.m. the next day, I've still got stars in my eyes. PENGUINS IT'S OVER became reality.

There is enough in me to feel momentarily awful for W-B/S. They had that game practically sealed up with that three-goal lead and were definitely were the only team playing like the game meant anything serious (and for them it surely did). They completely unraveled in that last period and I'm sure that was very difficult to swallow.

Phantoms avenged their Game 6 loss to W-B/S in the divisional final last year, extend their winning record in the Wachovia Center, and lightning-skate right on to the conference final, which starts with home ice advantage next Friday night. I went over to D.'s after arriving back at home (10:30!!! Traffic was despicable on the Schuylkill Expressway after the game!!!) and immediately reserved tickets for Playoff Game F vs. either Providence or Lowell; I'm still gloating, though just to myself and Snacky now, about the killer seats I got us. Section 124, row 3, seats 10 and 11. The Phantoms will be just on the other side of that Plexiglas. I don't know if those seat numbers are at the opposite end of the line from the tunnel; I will try not to get my hopes up too much, because if they are not, I will be out of my mind with star-blindness if we are right up against that tunnel. Oh for the love...my heart is already totally a-flutter.

*Fans began tossing them onto the ice after the win. They shattered and plastic and beads went everywhereon the ice and it was a pretty bad showing, as though no one was throwing them AT the Penguins, some of them were in the cross-fire. So were the Phantoms, though. And one fell right at my feet and exploded and the plastic hit my legs and it stung. Damnit.

------------

That's all for the AHL-related stuff right now.

The Flyers play tonight at the Islanders. Preview here. Basically, "The New York Islanders already have two home losses this season to the Philadelphia Flyers. Another defeat to the league-worst Flyers would be very disappointing for a team beginning to build momentum." Wah wah, Islanders. Sucks for you that you're the only other team that has lost more than once to the Flyers.

I will be listening, as I've got nothing else on the schedule this evening except for working on my presentation for my interview -- which I can do while listening to the game. So. GO FLYERS! I've got on my probably-not-lucky Pitkanen jersey today (my relatively new third jersey, not the away white one that has never seen a Phantoms game lost). That counts for something, right? WOOO FLYERS!

Two possibilities:

1) When I don't listen to the Flyers, they win.

2) The Flyers win when they play Atlanta.

However, #2 may only be true if:
a) Niittymaki is in net

I say that because my first Flyers game was PHI/ATL. I was there, and Esche was in net; the Flyers lost. Was it because I was there? (The three other Flyers games I have attended were also losses. That's strong evidence for my presence being a Bad Thing.) Was it because Niittymaki wasn't playing against them? Wait, though: we've got a third wrench in the gears, because Lehtonen wasn't playing in that game, either. It seems that the only two consistent conditions under which the Flyers win against Atlanta are:
1) Niittymaki is in goal and
2) Lehtonen is in goal.

Maybe me being there or listening has nothing to do with it.

Whether or not there must actually be conditions met, this weekend the Flyers beat Atlanta in Atlanta again, but didn't just eke out the win; they won 5-2, and they won despite having trailed after two periods. Until this weekend, this season they had not managed that at all, going 0-25-2 when down after periods 1 and 2. That may be the most important aspect of the win.

Tied after the first, 1-1, goals by Afanasenkov (from Fedoruk) and, of course, Kovalchuk for Atlanta (from former Flyer Jon Sim). Down only one after the second, with Atlanta's second goal coming from Slater and Metropolit. After that, not only did the Flyers actually come back from a 2-period deficit, but they scored four unanswered goals:
1) Gagne (Forsberg, Knuble) (Brilliant, just how in the hell does Forsberg know to do this kind of thing?)
2) York (!) [Hatcher (!), Afanasenkov] -- the game-winning goal
3) Carter, all by his lonesome, shorthanded breakaway of epic proportions.
4) Zhitnik (Kapanen) (empty net bouncer)

I was at a dinner party where there was no Flyers game to listen to. J. and I discussed it anyway, wondering who would be in goal. If I were Stevens, I said, I'd have a conundrum on my hands. Niittymaki didn't play all that hot the other night, and such a performance would probably mean he sat the next game. However, the next game was against Atlanta, a team Niittymaki has never failed against. What would Stevens do?? Apparently, he started Esche, which didn't surprise me. What did surprise me was that Esche was pulled early, but only after allowing Kovalchuk's goal, because of "neck spasms" and Niittymaki finished out the game, 53 minutes in net.

So the conditions were met: Lehtonen at the one end, Niittymaki, eventually, at the other. Add in the fact that it sounds like the Flyers played through to the end, and sure, they should have won, and did. There are thirty games left, if I counted correctly. Thirty wins left to be had (and wouldn't that put them in the playoffs? [cheesy toothy grin]? They aren't mathematically eliminated yet that I've heard ... )!

-------------

Felt weird not to go to Des Moines this weekend. The Iowa Stars played Milwaukee and won, 7-5. The Stars have another four games against the Milwaukee Admirals this season, and are so far 6-0-0-0 against them. Like the Flyers (with Niitty) and Atlanta, there just seems to be something about this team that gets them going in a positive way. Vojtech Polak certainly seemed to have something to prove, coming back after a week or so of injury; not only did he score the season's first hat trick, but he scored a fourth goal, too, and had two assists for a six-point night. Woo! Polak is the first I-Stars player to score four goals in one game. And not only was Polak on a points roll; Marty Sertich had four points as well, two goals and two assists.

The Stars are lucky to be able to notch so many goals. When a team lets in five goals, they have to be offensively outrageous if they're going to win. I didn't see the game, so I don't know if there were defensive breakdowns on the ice or if Ellis simply was a sieve, but five goals is really pretty unacceptable. It only worked out OK on Saturday because the Stars managed to score more -- but only just. Looking at the score sheet, the Stars's seventh goal was on an empty net. That means they were only (!) 6-5 going into the last minute or two of the game. How close could it have been to being a different result? Milwaukee with six men, it could have been tied and hit overtime. Luckily Polak notched the empty-netter to edge the score up 7-5 and make it more difficult in the last 51 seconds for Milwaukee to retaliate on the scoreboard. Again, I didn't see the game, so I don't know if it was poor goaltending or team defense that broke down for Milwaukee. I mean, sure, Iowa's offense could have just been that poisonous for the Admirals. I don't know. Goehring was pulled and Rinne (haven't heard that name yet this season) replaced him, but for less than two minutes, as Goehring finished out the game. I'm always puzzled when this kind of goaltending musical chairs is played, but hey. Whatever, the Stars won.

The Stars' win over Milwaukee puts them four points behind the Ads, fourth place in the division. Eight behind Omaha, fourteen behind Chicago. They are four ahead of Peoria.

One last note: The Chicago Wolves' Darren Haydar played in the PHI/ATL. He leads the AHL with 89 points, and if Atlanta want to keep him, that's fine with me. The Stars don't play Chicago again until late in March, but all the same...Chicago without Haydar sounds good to me. If the Stars end up fourth in the West, and Chicago likely will finish out the season at the top, then we're probably looking at a IOW/CHI playoffs round 1. I'm not saying that I think the Stars are toast if they end up playing Chicago in round 1, but in my far-out dreamy land, the Stars will somehow magically end up playing Milwaukee in round 1. At least then, based on regular-season play, they would have a great shot at making round 2 (where they would then face Chicago, or Omaha -- and between the two, I don't know, neither appeals to me!). But then, the playoffs end up being a weird wonderland of their own. You can make predictions based on the previous weeks of regular season, but somehow something will always introduce itself that will mess things up.

-----------

Phantoms blew it this weekend, two shootout losses: Friday to Hamilton (2-1) and Sunday to Norfolk (boooooooooo!) 4-3. Poor Phantoms. Hey, does anyone want tickets to the Sunday, February 18 game vs. Norfolk? I have two; ice-row, end where Phantoms shoot twice!! $30 apiece! Come on! You know you want them!

I wish I could go. Maybe some weird and wonderful magic twist in fate will occur and I will be able to, but as of 9:25 a.m., Monday, February 5, it doesn't look like it.

------------------

Next hockey for me to care about:

1) Tomorrow night, San Antonio at Iowa Stars. According to the standings, you can barely call San Antonio the Rampage. They are more like a few cows standing around in the fields. (19-27-1-2. It's a better record than the Flyers have got, but let's not explore that.) The Stars have played San Antonio twice this season and won both games (5-4 on 10-07 and 5-1 on 10-22).

2) Flyers at Islanders on Wednesday, Penguins at Flyers on Thursday. How sweet it would be to take those back-to-back, but barring that fantasticness, I'll take a win on Thursday. Way down the line, Saturday it's Blues at Flyers.

3) Wednesday, Phantoms vs. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Pens. Friday, vs. Rochester.

Last night, I was storming around hoping that Alex Picard punched Niitty, and maybe punched Gagne, for ruining his five-point night. I hoped that Forsberg had socked someone too, for wasting his excellent would-have-been-game-winning goal.

I've cooled it a little bit by today. Yeah, they should have won last night. The saddest things I read this morning were:

1) "They scored five times on Martin Brodeur and they still lost."
2) "...Niittymaki said. 'It's too bad.'"
3) "The Flyers led four times in this game - and still lost."

I don't think I've read anything showing Niittymaki taking responsibility for the incredibly soft goals he let in. Yeah, it's sad that a team that scores five on Brodeur still can't manage two points; but it's sadder because you let in at least two that you should have stopped, and the Flyers could have had it minimum 5-4.

I like Niitty and I like him better than Esche but I will not be finding any excuses for his play last night.

Ok. That's enough. Other than the loss the game ended up, I'll admit, being exciting (too bad for the rage at the end). And overall the Flyers played hard. Carry over to Atlanta on Saturday and this time maybe they will be able to hold on to finish hard too.

Picard was the first star on NHL.com. Nice to see that.

-----------

Joel Lundqvist was called up to Dallas again, and in last night's Stars vs. Sharks game (apparently Steve Ott out again hurt). He scored the first goal and assisted on another to be one of the stars of that game. Krys Barch also scored his first NHL goal last night.

The Iowa Stars play again tomorrow against Milwaukee. I doubt Lundqvist will be back, but I won't be there to see the game so at least on that level it's no big deal to me. But
I hate him being in Dallas and making it harder for Iowa to win without his abilities!

-------------

Phantoms play tonight vs. Hamilton for their first game since the All-Star Break. There was an article about them in the Phila Daily News today, mentioning how they've had so many roster changes throughout the season (most to-and-froms with the Flyers). They're only six points out of playoff spot, so I wouldn't count them out yet. In far-out dreamy land, a Stars/Phantoms Calder Cup final matchup would be so sweet. (Hey, in far-out dreamy land, the Flyers make the playoffs, too, so don't put too much stock in what I see there!)

My internet connection sure took its sweet time allowing me to get to the Flyers game. It's presently 5 minutes into the second period. I hear:

1) The Flyers are up 2-1.
2) Joni Pitkanen "was going out for x-rays" but is apparently back on the bench. Hummm... what happened??

Hit in the foot, sounds like, blocking a shot.

Forsberg "skate issue being addressed" -- now back on the ice. Arrrrgh! What have I been missing??

Devils on the power play have tied it at 2 and were two men up so they still have a power play for 1:47!! Sounds like the Flyers are not learning their lesson re: not taking penalties.

Devils scored again, squeaking it past Niittymaki. 3-2 NJ. Grrrr. I always have to listen to the Flyers play from behind, don't I? I'm bad for them.

Mike York's playing tonight. Haven't heard that name for a while, as he's been scratched due to conditioning issues (i.e. his was poor). So far about all I have heard is his name, but he hasn't been doing anything exciting. Eager's hit Gomez and now the Devils want his head. And now the game has cut out on me, so who knows what's going on.

Ok, Devils had a high-sticking penalty and the Flyers have gone on only their third power play. Flyers have this chance to re-tie the game late in the period and not go into the final stanza down goals (a situation history shows they rarely come back from). Unfortunately the Devils will probably just camp out in front of Brodeur and squash any reasonable opportunity. (Wow, do their job! Maybe the Flyers should pay attention.) Penalty over, Flyers did nothing. Well, not long afterward Fedoruk took a penalty trying to get Colin White to tussle, and now the Flyers are a man down way at the end of the period.

I figure this game is over, but I'll stick it out. Maybe they'll show me wrong.

Joni left the game and doesn't sound like he will be back. Aw.

-----------

Ok, Flyers. Kill off this penalty and then stay out of the box. Devils have only scored on one of the power plays but it's hard for Philadelphia to get anything going when they are having to focus on killing a 5-on-4.

YES! Fedoruk was going to the bench, played the puck, moved it down and Afanasenkov tied the game! That's a name I hadn't heard in a few games, too. Good job, guys! I'd yell happily but my throat is still killing me (stupid non-ending cold!). An important goal because now the Debbies can't just sit back during the third and defend their way to a win.

Well, Eager landed a huge hit on Oduya and has gotten himself back in the box. Eager apparently has 2/3 of the Gordie Howe hat trick tonight -- just needs an assist -- going to be hard to do if he's cooling his jets in the penalty box. I know Eager's basically one of those "role players", and "energy" guy, but he doesn't always seem to choose his activity very discriminately; he gets penalties when maybe a penalty would be better not to be taken. But I guess it's better that the Devils don't think they can just cruise around the ice.

Now Sami Kapanen has blocked a shot and is off hurting.

And Hatcher giving the puck right to a Devil deep in the Flyers' zone, lucky it went up and over.

Arrgh. At least they killed the penalty.

Not long after the announcers talked about Alexandre Picard having really stepped up as a young defenseman with Freddy Meyer having been traded, and Randy Jones out, he already had multiple assists tonight and now, as the Flyers totally controlled a power play they were given (it was great to listen to), he assisted on another that Knuble tipped in. Go Flyers! 4-3. Keep on showin' me wrong, boys!!!! Forsberg the other assist.

For crying out loud, how do they do it?? Langenbrunner scored immediately afterward and tied the game again. "A shot 99 times out of 100 Niittymaki makes, he let one in."

[steaming] [crickets]

[eruption] FORSBERG SCORES. I wish I could scream. How excellent is that! Flyers 5-4! (Five goals on Brodeur!?) Three points for Scoresberg tonight. And another assist for Picard. And Knuble with two goals and an assist, it's pretty clear who's got the touch this evening.

And now some pathetic penalty-giving, Gomez for cross-checking and Forsberg for diving. It's almost as though the officials suddenly realized they hadn't given Forsberg a phantom penalty yet, and found their reason. And with just more than 2 minutes left in the game, it's a pretty bad time for it.

... Brodeur out, so little time left, I'm worrrrrriiiieeeed ................

ARE YOU &%*$ING KIDDING ME, GAGNE MISPLAYED THE PUCK BEHIND THE FLYERS NET AND THE DEVILS TIED THE GAME WITH 32 SECONDS LEFT.

UN*#@%INGBELIEVABLE.

I can't stand it.

I CANNOT STAND IT.

I'm envisioning a new version of Knob Hockey: "SIMON! Gagne! You didn't do jack this game and now that!! It was a STUPID play, and I BLAME you."

Overtime now. I'm so disgusted that I can't believe I'm even listening to the rest of this. This goes to shootout, you know what will happen.

Knuble nearly scored a third goal, but close doesn't count in hockey, right?

Devils scored in the last minute of overtime.

There would be no icon sufficient enough to depict my fury. I am out of words.