Sunday, September 28, 2008
So, I sat on the sofa for yesterday's Flyers/Canes pre-season game that happened at the Spectrum, and wished I'd just gone to it.
There was too much Coatsey, but otherwise an enjoyable game to watch on a Saturday afternoon. It was mostly the Flyers vs. the River Rats, but all the same, a person can't take too much away from the orange and black. Biron was pretty good again. As far as he is concerned, I have no worries about the goaltending. It was fantastic to see Richards be (officially?) given a jersey with a C on it before the game, during the ceremony celebrating past captains. It was fantastic to see Gagne out on the ice again, not only willing to get hit, but willing to deliver the first hit (and get a roughing call in the process) -- and come away unscathed. Mike Richards scoring his first short-handed goal of the day was beeeee-yoooo-tiful and if that's not a goal-scorer's goal, then I don't know what is. He let the Canes' defenseman go down on the ice, he pulled the puck back to him and then let it go after he maneuvered it around the fallen Hurricane. Oh, one of the prettiest goals ever. His second shortie of the game happened when he ignored Joni Pitkanen (who did not exactly have a good game, in spite of corralling an assist), getting around him to fire on net again. Cam Ward was either let down by his blue line compadres or was simply not in very good form yesterday. And Jared Ross was playing -- was highlighted by JJ and Keith Jones a couple times, talking about how he's not very big but plays bigger than he is -- he very nearly potted an empty net goal at the end, but alas, it was not meant to be (he was on the far end of the ice, shooting nearly the entire span, and it slid just wide). He looked pretty good; I don't expect him to make the team off the bat this year but he might do well in a call-up situation, and will no doubt be an offensive threat for the Phantoms again this season.
Yes ... a good game to watch.
I did not watch today's game, which was lost 1-0 (and was, apparently, more the Phantoms vs. the Hurricanes).
Fewer than two weeks until the real games start. I am encouraged by what I've seen and read about the Flyers so far.
There was too much Coatsey, but otherwise an enjoyable game to watch on a Saturday afternoon. It was mostly the Flyers vs. the River Rats, but all the same, a person can't take too much away from the orange and black. Biron was pretty good again. As far as he is concerned, I have no worries about the goaltending. It was fantastic to see Richards be (officially?) given a jersey with a C on it before the game, during the ceremony celebrating past captains. It was fantastic to see Gagne out on the ice again, not only willing to get hit, but willing to deliver the first hit (and get a roughing call in the process) -- and come away unscathed. Mike Richards scoring his first short-handed goal of the day was beeeee-yoooo-tiful and if that's not a goal-scorer's goal, then I don't know what is. He let the Canes' defenseman go down on the ice, he pulled the puck back to him and then let it go after he maneuvered it around the fallen Hurricane. Oh, one of the prettiest goals ever. His second shortie of the game happened when he ignored Joni Pitkanen (who did not exactly have a good game, in spite of corralling an assist), getting around him to fire on net again. Cam Ward was either let down by his blue line compadres or was simply not in very good form yesterday. And Jared Ross was playing -- was highlighted by JJ and Keith Jones a couple times, talking about how he's not very big but plays bigger than he is -- he very nearly potted an empty net goal at the end, but alas, it was not meant to be (he was on the far end of the ice, shooting nearly the entire span, and it slid just wide). He looked pretty good; I don't expect him to make the team off the bat this year but he might do well in a call-up situation, and will no doubt be an offensive threat for the Phantoms again this season.
Yes ... a good game to watch.
I did not watch today's game, which was lost 1-0 (and was, apparently, more the Phantoms vs. the Hurricanes).
Fewer than two weeks until the real games start. I am encouraged by what I've seen and read about the Flyers so far.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
My assessment: Richards/Hartnell/Upshall/Carter/Coburn played reasonably well with a bunch of probable Phantoms and Eminger/Vaananen. I had a slightly end-on view from section 109, but the new perspective wasn’t the reason people looked a little rusty. I had a hard time keeping up with all those guys in high-numbered jerseys – last time I saw some of them they were wearing purple/orange/white, and some of them were total strangers. Nodl looked good. Kalinski not too shabby also. Powe played his game. Clackson fought. (Cote fought. Forgot about him.) Downie looked leaner and yet unchanged, taking the puck in front of his own net and choking on a bad turnover (he had some good play mixed in there, too). Giroux didn’t look all that special out there, but I’ve read he had some medical issues (wisdom teeth removal) and hasn’t had as much practice time as he might otherwise have had. Some other new guys I’ve never seen before: Sbisa, the first-round pick, played pretty well and didn’t stand out too much (as a d-man that’s just fine – Ryan Parent was out there too and I only just now remember that -- he didn’t make any big mistakes); Sean Curry (who?) wasn’t all that impressive. When I saw him I thought he looked like Hatcher, and thought – ooh, sneaky, dress him in a different jersey and give him a fake name, that will get the Flyers around the salary cap while letting him play. (Ok, I didn’t actually believe that.) I wouldn’t be surprised if Curry doesn’t dress again, but who knows; there are a million other defensemen in the pipeline right now that could be given a look. Finally, the goalies: Biron looked pretty good for not being especially hard-worked, outside of helping to keep the puck out of the net on an extended PK in the first period (the terrible refereeing getting a fresh and early dip into the pool). The Flyers scored 3 goals before Ouellet replaced Biron for the third period. He was down the other end of the ice from me so I couldn’t really judge his play, but he let in a goal and some guy behind me bellowed, “You’re fired!”
Flyers won 4-1 with goals from Richiards, Downie (2), and an empty netter by Upshall.
I wouldn’t say the Devils looked all that special either. A bunch of Lowellers and Gionta/Elias/Zubrus/anyone else that matters? Brodeur didn’t play, so we got to see the stellar goaltending stylings of back-ups Kevin Weekes (“Week-ess” as B. enjoyed calling him) and Des Moines native Scott Clemmensen. Probably the most action in an NJ Devils jersey that Clemmensen will see this season; and Weekes was probably just happy to get to play at all. Still, I think it may be the first time I’ve in-person seen the Flyers, whoever makes up the team, beat the Devils. Sure, it’s just a pre-season game and when the real Devils and the real Flyers get back on the ice for games that “matter”, no doubt the universe will right itself and the Devils will go back to schooling the Flyers no matter what. So you will forgive me for taking some pleasure in this win. It will probably be fleeting.
Other scores last night:
The Bruins over the Canadiens, 8-3. [Bleep] the Habs. Hahaha! Patrice Bergeron had 4 points. Maybe now Bruins fans can quit crying. (Probably not, not with articles like this in which Randy Jones -- not actually named -- is referred to as "a thug in a Flyers sweater".)
Rangers over Ottawa, 2-1. Zzzzzz. (Petr Nedved played. Remember him? And he was the game’s first star! Hahaha!)
Toronto over Buffalo, 7-4. Ok, Leafs. Will we see a score like that again once the REAL season starts?
Pittsburgh over Tampa Bay, 3-2. I might have to read about that game to see which of these flashy new Bolts played and who did or did not play for the Pens.
Vancouver 4, Edmonton 3. In a shootout! I thought Edmonton always won those?
Apparently the Kings played two games yesterday? One vs. St. Louis and one vs. Phoenix? Zzzzzzzzzzzz.
Flyers won 4-1 with goals from Richiards, Downie (2), and an empty netter by Upshall.
I wouldn’t say the Devils looked all that special either. A bunch of Lowellers and Gionta/Elias/Zubrus/anyone else that matters? Brodeur didn’t play, so we got to see the stellar goaltending stylings of back-ups Kevin Weekes (“Week-ess” as B. enjoyed calling him) and Des Moines native Scott Clemmensen. Probably the most action in an NJ Devils jersey that Clemmensen will see this season; and Weekes was probably just happy to get to play at all. Still, I think it may be the first time I’ve in-person seen the Flyers, whoever makes up the team, beat the Devils. Sure, it’s just a pre-season game and when the real Devils and the real Flyers get back on the ice for games that “matter”, no doubt the universe will right itself and the Devils will go back to schooling the Flyers no matter what. So you will forgive me for taking some pleasure in this win. It will probably be fleeting.
Other scores last night:
The Bruins over the Canadiens, 8-3. [Bleep] the Habs. Hahaha! Patrice Bergeron had 4 points. Maybe now Bruins fans can quit crying. (Probably not, not with articles like this in which Randy Jones -- not actually named -- is referred to as "a thug in a Flyers sweater".)
Rangers over Ottawa, 2-1. Zzzzzz. (Petr Nedved played. Remember him? And he was the game’s first star! Hahaha!)
Toronto over Buffalo, 7-4. Ok, Leafs. Will we see a score like that again once the REAL season starts?
Pittsburgh over Tampa Bay, 3-2. I might have to read about that game to see which of these flashy new Bolts played and who did or did not play for the Pens.
Vancouver 4, Edmonton 3. In a shootout! I thought Edmonton always won those?
Apparently the Kings played two games yesterday? One vs. St. Louis and one vs. Phoenix? Zzzzzzzzzzzz.
Monday, September 22, 2008
SCENE: Crusher's office, approximately 8:30 a.m.
Crusher is at her desk, checking e-mails and having a bagel (because she was too lazy to make breakfast at home). She was going to wear an orange-and-white striped shirt to work today, in honor of the pre-season's start, but that shirt didn't get ironed this weekend. Alas.
The telephone rings. It is L., a person with whom Crusher has never spoken, whose name is actually wholly unfamiliar. Crusher wonders if it is going to be someone with a crazy project, and considers letting it go to voice mail. Then she gets a grip and answers the phone.
L: Hi, [Crusher]. This is [L.]; I work with [B.B. -- a friend in another division]. She told me that you are a big Flyers fan. As it happens, my husband and I have two tickets to the game tonight, but we can't go, and [B.B.] suggested that I see if you're interested.
Crusher: [Just about no hesitation whatsoever] I could probably take those off your hands. How much are you asking for them?
L.: [Sounding tentative, almost as though she thinks she's asking too much] $35?
Crusher: Yeah, you can bring those around to my office later.
The tickets are in section 109 with a face value of $96 apiece. That I'm getting them both for $35 makes me very happy, even if it's "just" a pre-season game in which Gagne is definitely not playing and a host of others may not play in either. And it's against the Devils, nearly ensuring a loss. But in your heart of hearts, as you read my little script there, you knew that there was no way I was going to say no.
Also, a little bit of trash talk between me and a Detroit native / Red Wings fan, who works in my division, has sprung up after he called me last week wondering if I had the code for the tickets pre-sale going on. I told him that I had it, but wasn't buying yet. Then I told him that the Stanley Cup would be coming to Philadelphia this season. In response, he basically implied he would not be so sure about that. I reminded him that in the last Flyers/Wings game, the team that led the Flyers to their worst record ever beat Detroit 6-1, with Michael Leighton in goal, and that the Wings have not won in Philly since 1997. So, I said, lucky for the Red Wings that this season's match is in Detroit, and that you just never know what might happen. Plus -- it's easy to talk big when everyone's record is 0-0-0. I like to dish it out.
And, anyway, I'm required to hope for the Stanley Cup's way-overdue return to Philadelphia -- right? Regardless of the reality of the chances? (Which are not as slim as they were only a couple seasons ago -- right?)
Going home in an hour to take out my Richards jersey and get ready to drive up that familiar stretch of I-95. Do I get the A replaced with a C? Maybe I just buy a whole new jersey -- when the new orange thirds are out. Hmmmmmm.
P.S. Some Phantoms are playing in their first pre-season game, vs. Lowell, right now.
Crusher is at her desk, checking e-mails and having a bagel (because she was too lazy to make breakfast at home). She was going to wear an orange-and-white striped shirt to work today, in honor of the pre-season's start, but that shirt didn't get ironed this weekend. Alas.
The telephone rings. It is L., a person with whom Crusher has never spoken, whose name is actually wholly unfamiliar. Crusher wonders if it is going to be someone with a crazy project, and considers letting it go to voice mail. Then she gets a grip and answers the phone.
L: Hi, [Crusher]. This is [L.]; I work with [B.B. -- a friend in another division]. She told me that you are a big Flyers fan. As it happens, my husband and I have two tickets to the game tonight, but we can't go, and [B.B.] suggested that I see if you're interested.
Crusher: [Just about no hesitation whatsoever] I could probably take those off your hands. How much are you asking for them?
L.: [Sounding tentative, almost as though she thinks she's asking too much] $35?
Crusher: Yeah, you can bring those around to my office later.
The tickets are in section 109 with a face value of $96 apiece. That I'm getting them both for $35 makes me very happy, even if it's "just" a pre-season game in which Gagne is definitely not playing and a host of others may not play in either. And it's against the Devils, nearly ensuring a loss. But in your heart of hearts, as you read my little script there, you knew that there was no way I was going to say no.
Also, a little bit of trash talk between me and a Detroit native / Red Wings fan, who works in my division, has sprung up after he called me last week wondering if I had the code for the tickets pre-sale going on. I told him that I had it, but wasn't buying yet. Then I told him that the Stanley Cup would be coming to Philadelphia this season. In response, he basically implied he would not be so sure about that. I reminded him that in the last Flyers/Wings game, the team that led the Flyers to their worst record ever beat Detroit 6-1, with Michael Leighton in goal, and that the Wings have not won in Philly since 1997. So, I said, lucky for the Red Wings that this season's match is in Detroit, and that you just never know what might happen. Plus -- it's easy to talk big when everyone's record is 0-0-0. I like to dish it out.
And, anyway, I'm required to hope for the Stanley Cup's way-overdue return to Philadelphia -- right? Regardless of the reality of the chances? (Which are not as slim as they were only a couple seasons ago -- right?)
Going home in an hour to take out my Richards jersey and get ready to drive up that familiar stretch of I-95. Do I get the A replaced with a C? Maybe I just buy a whole new jersey -- when the new orange thirds are out. Hmmmmmm.
P.S. Some Phantoms are playing in their first pre-season game, vs. Lowell, right now.
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Goalie backup situation: resolved? J.-S. Aubin was signed to a one-year contract. This is, I was reminded by J., the dude who lost to Ryan Miller in a "yo mama" contest in a commercial on TV. His numbers are what they are. Am I wrong in suspecting that once Niitty is feeling better, we'll be seeing a lot of Aubin at the Spectrum? I think I am OK with that.
Team captain: Mike Richards. You knew it was going to happen sooner rather than later. If anyone's surprised at this, they need to start paying a little more attention.
Training camp: started yesterday!
Pre-season games: start tomorrow! I am pretty excited about reading about how Gagne looks, coming back after his season of concussions (though I've read Stevens is thinking about not playing him tomorrow) ... how he clicks with Briere; if Richards ends up successfully centering Gagne and Briere; how other lines work themselves out; how the glut of d-men battle for those 6 or 7 spots -- fingers crossed no one (else) gets hurt and the pre-season rusties and kinks worth themselves out in time for the real season. I'm also keen to see what Claude Giroux does. Does he make the Flyers or do they play him in the Phantoms for a while? Etc., etc.
We're now down to less than three weeks until that opening night at the Wachovia Center. Today, while I was walking back to my car after finishing the Philadelphia Distance Run (13.1 mi in ~1:40, boooo) I saw a guy wearing an orange Flyers shirt (with BRIERE on the back) and I smiled. Every time I see someone in Flyers gear, or someone's car has got a Flyers magnet or plate, I get a little bit more pumped up. Hockey season's only a blink away. I'm looking forward to having more to write about (maybe I will be less boring). :-)
Team captain: Mike Richards. You knew it was going to happen sooner rather than later. If anyone's surprised at this, they need to start paying a little more attention.
Training camp: started yesterday!
Pre-season games: start tomorrow! I am pretty excited about reading about how Gagne looks, coming back after his season of concussions (though I've read Stevens is thinking about not playing him tomorrow) ... how he clicks with Briere; if Richards ends up successfully centering Gagne and Briere; how other lines work themselves out; how the glut of d-men battle for those 6 or 7 spots -- fingers crossed no one (else) gets hurt and the pre-season rusties and kinks worth themselves out in time for the real season. I'm also keen to see what Claude Giroux does. Does he make the Flyers or do they play him in the Phantoms for a while? Etc., etc.
We're now down to less than three weeks until that opening night at the Wachovia Center. Today, while I was walking back to my car after finishing the Philadelphia Distance Run (13.1 mi in ~1:40, boooo) I saw a guy wearing an orange Flyers shirt (with BRIERE on the back) and I smiled. Every time I see someone in Flyers gear, or someone's car has got a Flyers magnet or plate, I get a little bit more pumped up. Hockey season's only a blink away. I'm looking forward to having more to write about (maybe I will be less boring). :-)
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Niitty, Niitty, Niittymaki: what are your hips made of, glass?
I don't know what the Flyers are going to do for goalies. They've invited Maxime Ouellet to training camp, but does that inspire confidence behind Martin Biron while Niitty recovers? The Flyers' goalie situation is tenuous. Munroe is a solid -- good -- AHL goalie. Teslak? Maybe he just needs some more, real experience. Duchesne? Um..... Perhaps they will develop into solid NHL goalies, but that won't happen before October 11.
September 22 -- preseason games begin. Flyers v. NJ Devils, Phantoms v. Lowell Devils. That's a lot closer than I thought it was. Somehow I got kind of messed up on time. Suddenly it's mid-September and the hockey season is three weeks away? Huh.
I don't know what the Flyers are going to do for goalies. They've invited Maxime Ouellet to training camp, but does that inspire confidence behind Martin Biron while Niitty recovers? The Flyers' goalie situation is tenuous. Munroe is a solid -- good -- AHL goalie. Teslak? Maybe he just needs some more, real experience. Duchesne? Um..... Perhaps they will develop into solid NHL goalies, but that won't happen before October 11.
September 22 -- preseason games begin. Flyers v. NJ Devils, Phantoms v. Lowell Devils. That's a lot closer than I thought it was. Somehow I got kind of messed up on time. Suddenly it's mid-September and the hockey season is three weeks away? Huh.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Back from the Wild West (Colorado), where any hockey that anyone cares about has to do with Denver. I got teased for having a Flyers logo sticker on my bicycle's fork ("That [stuff] just makes it heavier, you know") and the Phantoms logo sticker got roughed up against some rocks. I wore a Flyers t-shirt here and there but I don't think it got photographed. However, B. was captured wearing a Flyers t-shirt at Colorado National Monument and Arches National Park. When I get those uploaded, I'll share. It's not the same as me showing off my orange and black, but it's better than no representation whatsoever.
We are now only a month away from the Flyers' home opener. It won't be my first Flyers game since last spring's playoffs match, after all. I got an email about a preseason game of Flyers v. Phantoms at the Spectrum on October 7th. Apparently, as a Phantoms season ticket holder, I had special rights to seats; they were only $30 so I said oky doky artichoky. That week in October is going to be a good one: pre-season game on the 7th, Phantoms' opener on the 10th, and the Flyers on the 11th. That is not counting the hockey that will be on TV the 5th and the 9th.
There is a lot left to get done in September, before the fall really sets in, and I hate to wish away time -- but hot damn, hockey season is close and I can't wait.
P.S. New Jersey Devils / Prudential Center: I am not a Devils fan just because I ordered tickets for one of your games at the Prudential Center last year. You may recall that I ordered them to see the Flyers. I am not interested in your "select-a-seat" for the Devils' season, also not interested in what's-happening-at-the-Rock. Time to clicky-click the "yo, knock it off" link!!!
We are now only a month away from the Flyers' home opener. It won't be my first Flyers game since last spring's playoffs match, after all. I got an email about a preseason game of Flyers v. Phantoms at the Spectrum on October 7th. Apparently, as a Phantoms season ticket holder, I had special rights to seats; they were only $30 so I said oky doky artichoky. That week in October is going to be a good one: pre-season game on the 7th, Phantoms' opener on the 10th, and the Flyers on the 11th. That is not counting the hockey that will be on TV the 5th and the 9th.
There is a lot left to get done in September, before the fall really sets in, and I hate to wish away time -- but hot damn, hockey season is close and I can't wait.
P.S. New Jersey Devils / Prudential Center: I am not a Devils fan just because I ordered tickets for one of your games at the Prudential Center last year. You may recall that I ordered them to see the Flyers. I am not interested in your "select-a-seat" for the Devils' season, also not interested in what's-happening-at-the-Rock. Time to clicky-click the "yo, knock it off" link!!!
