tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-280380372011-07-08T00:10:02.786-04:00Formerly "Two minutes for cross-checking": a Flyers fan's verbiage on hockey.crushernoreply@blogger.comBlogger5661100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28038037.post-56465181623919579922010-10-08T15:24:00.001-04:002010-10-08T15:26:13.055-04:00

Somewhere in the midst of the first period, the power went out in my neighborhood, and stayed out for quite a while, leading me to miss out on the rest of the first period and some of the second as well. While this event outraged me, it did spare me a good hour or so of the nauseating Pittsburgh Crosbys lovefest. So, not an all-bad situation. You have to find silver linings when such

crushernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28038037.post-36762311321023870942010-10-07T10:42:00.000-04:002010-10-07T10:43:16.539-04:00

I submit my apologies for avoiding this blog all summer long, but I have my reasons. Chief among them are 1) I bought a house and moved in at the end of June, and much of the time since then was spent settling in; 2) my injured knee, after some months of enforced complete rest, finally allowed me to begin running again, in July, and so I have spent many hours on the road and trails trying to get

crushernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28038037.post-25659853306121852912010-06-07T15:48:00.003-04:002010-06-07T15:56:57.564-04:00

For Game 4, last Friday night, the Flyers pressured the Blackhawks and played their so-called “A” game and made me feel good about being a Flyers fan; at one point in the third period, there was a three-goal Flyers lead. On toward the end of the game, the expected crud started to show through the veneer; the Flyers let up a little, the Blackhawks started to get back into it in the last half of

crushernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28038037.post-64512764034263900742010-06-04T15:33:00.001-04:002010-06-07T15:34:58.259-04:00

Last Wednesday night was one of the most nerve-wracking, frustrating, and exhilarating nights of my life. Two or three years of my life were probably shaved off as my heart alternately stopped and skipped as I watched the game unfold, and racing in between all those stops and skips. Well worth every penny I paid to get in, the game had it all – Flyers scoring first, goals then traded bringing

crushernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28038037.post-14458411926950365702010-06-02T10:39:00.000-04:002010-06-02T10:40:25.363-04:00

I’m disappointed that the Flyers ended up losing the first two games of the finals this weekend, and part of it is because they were one-goal games that were winnable by the Flyers. Saturday’s game was a terrible display of hockey by both teams – just miserable play all around by pretty much everyone – and I am not excited by eleven goals scored on horribly blown coverage and sloppy overall play

crushernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28038037.post-37131595926646049942010-05-29T13:31:00.003-04:002010-05-29T13:46:49.849-04:00

I was not a Flyers fan back in 1997 when they last made the Cup finals. I was still living in Iowa, in between my junior and senior years in college, and had a lot more on my mind than the playoffs (after all, I was a Leafs fan then, back when they were in the Western Conference, and did they make the playoffs that year? No.) But by now, I have become all about the Flyers. Since that time,

crushernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28038037.post-44202011555811963362010-05-24T14:58:00.004-04:002010-05-24T15:17:23.600-04:00

Thursday's game was terrible from the Flyers' standpoint; there is simply no other way to put it. Still, I was not worried. It was disappointing, sure, but:1) I did not honestly think Leighton would never let in a goal, and it seems that for the Flyers, allowing the first goal can be poisonous. I couldn't blame him for much of that game, either, because he did not have his usual stalwart

crushernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28038037.post-10341419742894841962010-05-19T09:53:00.002-04:002010-05-19T09:57:37.984-04:00

While I thought the Flyers could have played two out of those three periods of hockey last night better, I did, of course, enjoy the outcome and I particularly enjoyed the vocabulary of the color commentator (Daryl Reaugh?) and his descriptions of the action:Giroux’s play was “lubricious”. (Also, “My God, he’s a good player.”)The overabundance of offsides or icing calls “polluted” the game.Leino

crushernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28038037.post-81175628014801298852010-05-18T15:46:00.003-04:002010-05-18T15:50:12.128-04:00

What do I think will happen in tonight's game?If nothing else, I think the Canadiens will have learned something about all the things they did wrong on Sunday, and will work to correct them. Will they fix all the mistakes? I see the Flyers still taking advantage here and there. The burden is on the Canadiens to change their game from Sunday night; and I think the Flyers are flexible enough to

crushernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28038037.post-82512731472680691342010-05-17T16:03:00.001-04:002010-05-17T16:12:49.857-04:00

There were several things that I’d hoped the Flyers would do last night, and foremost among them was that they wouldn’t come out as dead as they did after the long layover between the first two playoff rounds. While the first period last night was not ideal, it was good enough, as it turned out – but they shouldn’t be hoping that things will turn out “good enough” every game, especially as now

crushernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28038037.post-23864299513543181322010-05-16T17:10:00.002-04:002010-05-16T19:37:55.579-04:00

Friday morning, I was careful to choose what I wore. I didn’t want to be the one to wear the jinxing article of clothing; I considered wearing my Briere t-shirt, but since he has been a hot performer these playoffs, I feared (I actually feared!) that wearing the t-shirt in his honor may very well have a negative effect.Instead of the Briere t-shirt, I went for an orange polo and, after some

crushernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28038037.post-261668833059148592010-05-13T14:47:00.002-04:002010-05-13T14:49:36.219-04:00

A proverbial nail-biter last night, as I started watching with nerves, though I admit when the Flyers scored that first wild goal I felt a lot less burdened. I have liked the Flyers defensive play lately and trusted them to hold it up – and Leighton has slid right into the goaltending carousel seamlessly and calmly. Does the dude have ice in his veins? I’m impressed. I was also impressed by

crushernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28038037.post-86774376854379779322010-05-11T15:29:00.001-04:002010-05-11T15:31:45.694-04:00

So I was watching the game last night, pleased with the Flyers’ first goal (appearing to come from Scott Hartnell, only to then be given to Ville Leino – who played such an awesome game) and pleased with the Flyers’ overall effort, and then Ryan Parent and a Bruin both fell onto Boucher’s awkwardly bent leg in the crease, causing Boucher to throw his glove off and, apparently, howl in

crushernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28038037.post-3939317149885471452010-05-07T22:45:00.002-04:002010-05-07T22:47:22.949-04:00

Status at 19:28 of the third period: HATE THE FLYERS.Status at 14:40 of the OT: LOVE THE FLYERS.So the agony is taken to at least one more game. LET'S GO FLYERS.

crushernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28038037.post-58922640973566412442010-05-07T15:06:00.001-04:002010-05-07T15:08:03.294-04:00

Summary of outing to Flyers vs. Devils Game 4: outstanding.Summary of Flyers ousting Devils in the conference quarterfinal series in five games: marvelous.Summary of Flyers vs. Bruins in the conference semifinal series to date: disappointing.I was offered the opportunity to buy two tickets to tonight’s Game 4 in Philadelphia, at $100 apiece. I declined, because 1) I bought a house last week

crushernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28038037.post-38004563669836462502010-04-20T15:50:00.003-04:002010-04-20T15:56:53.384-04:00

No long-winded post today about what's already happened. I can barely get any work done, with this excitement ahead, let alone provide in-depth analysis about what I've seen so far. I was satisfied with the Flyers' win in Game 1; I was dissatisfied by the Devils winning Game 2; I was more than satisfied with the Flyers perseverance in the face of horrid officiating (no consistency, of course)

crushernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28038037.post-80268694050174779572010-04-12T11:07:00.003-04:002010-04-12T12:24:00.073-04:00

If someone had come to you and said “Here’s the deal. The game is going to come down to a shootout, with Henrik Lundqvist in one goal and Brian Boucher in the other.” What would you have predicted to be the outcome of that? Be realistic and honest!!In order to even get there, the Flyers had to play hard and be continually stymied by Lundqvist (and the occasional crossbar) except on one key

crushernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28038037.post-75563331967140849552010-04-11T08:53:00.002-04:002010-04-11T09:12:02.342-04:00

After the Rangers gift-wrapped Mike Richards’s opening goal Friday night, the Flyers then wrapped themselves up in wool for the rest of the period, not having a shot on goal for seventeen minutes.Flyers, I really hope you don’t need some chick in Delaware telling you this, but that is not going to win you games.I want to say at least the Flyers kept it interesting by coming back to tie a 3-1 game

crushernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28038037.post-3844388070659976262010-04-09T14:07:00.000-04:002010-04-09T14:08:39.135-04:00

A week and a half ago, I went to the Flyers/Devils game at the Wachovia Center. I decided to go in spite of the Flyers’ record just ahead of that game for two reasons: 1) it would be my one of my last chances to see the Flyers this regular season, and being a loyal fan, I wanted to see them in person one more time, regardless of how well they were or were not playing and 2) I had to be at the

crushernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28038037.post-4787944814344179832010-03-27T15:28:00.001-04:002010-03-27T15:35:16.042-04:00

Dear NHL,Get some new script writers. This is getting old. You should be embarrassed to call a product like this yours.Yours truly,CrusherP.S. I hate you.

crushernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28038037.post-43924106051389425502010-03-18T10:26:00.000-04:002010-03-18T10:27:32.608-04:00

What have we had since last I deigned to write?1) An OT loss to the Sabres. Well, it was Ryan Miller, probably still feeling pretty studly after the Olympics. What are you going to do? Can’t say as I was very much impressed by the Flyers. Actually, I can’t really say that at all, so far this post-Olympic stretch, but with maybe one or two exceptions.2) A 3-1 win over the Leafs, another game

crushernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28038037.post-69869094470607520402010-03-04T16:00:00.002-05:002010-03-04T16:01:49.850-05:00

I hated last night’s game because the Flyers did not roll over and die and showed in the third period that if they had played the whole game like they did the third period, they would not have had to lose 7-4. So why didn’t they? UGH!I read Flyers internet message boards, though I don’t post much. I was sure last night when Leighton let in some softees that they would melt down. I was not too

crushernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28038037.post-41718637075383725832010-03-03T15:41:00.000-05:002010-03-03T15:42:16.599-05:00

I have been quiet on the blogging front during the Olympics but I was watching games (not all of them, but a pretty sizeable chunk of them – when they were actually on TV and not joined-in-progress after some riveting curling action). I was thrilled by the USA’s success in reaching the gold medal game last Sunday. The game was exciting and a last-minute tie by a damn Devil was almost as good as

crushernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28038037.post-79527666168937443522010-02-17T14:27:00.002-05:002010-02-17T14:28:03.037-05:00

Last week was about as perfect a week for Flyers hockey as could be expected (or not expected) out of this season. Two home-and-homes: four wins over a longtime divisional rival and a crucial conference opponent = 8 points = Flyers sitting in a decent spot going into the Olympic break.Like most of you, I’m sure, I did nothing but get down on the Flyers after they got down 2-0 to the Devils that

crushernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28038037.post-58777599455811128452010-02-03T11:05:00.003-05:002010-02-03T11:12:33.283-05:00

I watched some of the Leafs/Devils game last night (ending 3-0 in favor of Toronto) and I thought, from what I saw, the Leafs got the better of the deal with Calgary. Phaneuf didn't waste any time getting physical, pounding on Colin White not even ten minutes into the game.Also last night, Niittymaki preserved his personal win streak over Atlanta, making 26 saves so his team could win 2-1.

crushernoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28038037.post-48593909061899139772010-02-02T15:31:00.001-05:002010-02-02T15:31:37.601-05:00

The game on Thursday was pretty good, until the third period. The Germans enjoyed the outing, G. K. enjoying the atmosphere and the hockey. Not being a Flyers fan in particular, he wasn’t gutted at seeing them piss away a 3-1 lead in the final period; he got to see some good play and good goals regardless of who was making them and scoring them. He also got to see some uneven officiating,

crushernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28038037.post-13217167048090152042010-01-28T10:34:00.002-05:002010-01-28T10:36:59.368-05:00

Rangers vs. Hurricanes: ha ha! I saw the first four goals that Carolina scored; two off of neat and perfect deflections, one from Eric Staal banking off Lundqvist at a band angle, the fourth a slapshot that had Henrik looking around for the puck even after it hit the back of the net. It would have amused me more for the Blueshirts to score no goals, but Cam Ward let one in. Just one. He made

crushernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28038037.post-53522896682746590782010-01-27T10:41:00.001-05:002010-01-27T10:42:39.465-05:00

I would have preferred Saturday’s game against bottom-dwelling Hurricanes to have involved more domination on the Flyers’ side but it was the usual tooth-and-nail type fight between the Carolina and Philadelphia organizations. The Flyers scored first (a common occurrence lately), early in the first period; the Hurricanes scored to tie it late in the first. Theirs was a power play goal, too

crushernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28038037.post-76217178486136411772010-01-22T15:11:00.001-05:002010-01-22T15:11:42.330-05:00

Last night’s game against the Rangers was as entertaining a game as I have ever seen. As Laviolette said afterward, I can’t really find anything to complain about, from a Flyers perspective. They were on the puck all night long. Pronger was making the kinds of outlet passes he’s supposed to be making, and JvR took one of them and stayed with the play even after the first save was made, and

crushernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28038037.post-1769886719649375272010-01-21T14:26:00.003-05:002010-01-21T15:03:24.127-05:00

Last Sunday my adventure to DC started out with an “indefinitely delayed” train which I bailed on for an Acela ride instead. Nice, but not necessarily worth that $58 extra in fare just to get from Wilmington to Washington (value only in knowing I was going to get there on time, after all).Note: All the following was observed through my Flyers-fan eyes, going to see a team that is a rival in

crushernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28038037.post-51895565986246546252010-01-13T15:32:00.001-05:002010-01-13T15:34:04.064-05:00

So, last night was another Flyers goal-fest. About all I can come up with as criticism is that the Flyers should not lose focus after going up on a team 6-1, especially with nearly half a period left to go in the game. Inevitably the opponents will score and start to make it interesting. (After all, Chicago did a nice third-period job of blowing a 5-1 game last week.) I didn’t really fear

crushernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28038037.post-60940299976344219412010-01-12T15:26:00.000-05:002010-01-12T15:27:21.525-05:00

The 4-1 score of last Saturday’s Flyers/Lightning game makes it appear as though the game was pretty lopsided, but the truth is it was closer than a Flyers fan might have hoped (considering the scoring glut of the last pair of games). 2-1 going toward the end of the third, then Blair Betts scored a nice goal based on just not giving up. He shot; the puck rebounded to Laperierre, who tried

crushernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28038037.post-23775393424181407392010-01-08T09:51:00.002-05:002010-01-08T09:53:53.218-05:00

No doubt you have seen this image, or one like it, showing that a goal that was not a goal was really a goal. I’m going to go past saying that this is a league-hates-the-Flyers issue and more a league-is-completely-incompetent issue because this does not only happen to the Flyers. (However, it is a nice addition to the aggregate evidence perhaps showing that the league does actually hate the

crushernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28038037.post-25857357074232768352010-01-07T15:16:00.000-05:002010-01-07T15:17:31.363-05:00

I know it was only the Maple Leafs, who are nowhere near what most people would call a “good” team by any stretch, but it was still a pleasure to watch the Flyers score some goals, then score more goals, and entertain up and down the ice. Apparently, when playing opponents wearing bright blue jerseys (and who start Swedish goalies), the Flyers score six goals and look like a team that knows what

crushernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28038037.post-66467271659411094312010-01-05T15:29:00.001-05:002010-01-05T15:29:33.091-05:00

..... of the games that have happened since I last wrote (in disgust, having just been subjected to the Flyers being manhandled by the Panthers):1) Flyers @ Lightning, December 23rd: well, of course the Flyers should beat this team.2) Flyers @ Hurricanes, December 26th: well, of course the Flyers should beat this team.3) Flyers @ Islanders, December 27th: if the Flyers hadn’t beaten this

crushernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28038037.post-62414957556371870252009-12-22T10:33:00.003-05:002009-12-22T10:47:54.652-05:00

On September 9 of this year, I crashed on my mountain bike on the Top of the World trail near Moab, Utah. I sailed over the handlebars when my tire hit a sandy patch and turned. While trying to make sure I didn't hit my head, I didn't pay attention to any of my lower limbs, and my right knee came down hard on the rocky trail. I had to get stitches in a deep cut, the whole thing swelled up, and

crushernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28038037.post-39524153300764826492009-12-18T16:00:00.001-05:002009-12-18T16:02:27.922-05:00

Of course, I watched the game last night. Even if I considered reasons in favor of watching the game meager and slim, I had no reasons at all not to watch. Besides, it’s a Flyers game. I can’t usually help myself.I was rewarded with a game in which the Flyers did not embarrass themselves, which was about all I was hoping for, to be honest. I got more than that. I was satisfied with most of

crushernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28038037.post-59527898925265622992009-12-16T08:35:00.002-05:002009-12-16T08:35:58.359-05:00

Is there any reason to watch the game Thursday night?P.S. Giroux, your little goalie tit-for-tat was the best. You are my favorite.

crushernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28038037.post-28685467991875652182009-12-15T14:27:00.003-05:002009-12-15T14:36:46.849-05:00

A much better game last night than Saturday; last night, the Flyers decided to play more or less from the start. The defense was good (coincidence that Coburn was out?) in spite of OKT going out in the first and Bartulis being off the ice for a stretch. The offense is ... getting there. I still think there is too much passing and thinking about what to do instead of just doing. On a nice 5-on

crushernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28038037.post-43591833085289444422009-12-14T15:48:00.003-05:002009-12-14T15:50:13.453-05:00

After that first period Saturday, I didn't even care if they won the game or not, as long as they scored at least one and ruined Brodeur's bid for the 104th shutout. Because coming back to win against a Devils team that is up 3-0 is highly unlikely.At least they got one in the game and Brodeur will have to look elsewhere for the 104th, for now.Come on, Flyers.

crushernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28038037.post-83977567356790672722009-12-11T10:12:00.002-05:002009-12-11T11:17:22.578-05:00

Marc Joannette and Stephane Auger refereeing a Flyers game at the same time? Vote: is there a worse pair in the universe yes or no. I vote no, though to be fair, we might have been in a slightly altered universe last night because I think Joannette somehow managed to give the Flyers a pretty long 5-on-3 in the first period. But back on the real side of reality: Auger already played the

crushernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28038037.post-17508070090687716672009-12-09T13:39:00.005-05:002009-12-09T15:57:17.543-05:00

Oh yeah, and why, when discussing the firing of John Stevens, does everyone keep saying that it's Mike Richards's and Jeff Carter's first coaching change? It's not their first coaching change. Did they or did they not play for Hitchcock in '05-'06 and were they or were they not on the '06-'07 team when Hitch was relieved of his duties and Stevens stepped in?The answers to those questions are "

crushernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28038037.post-85936359466357981802009-12-09T10:53:00.002-05:002009-12-09T10:56:13.736-05:00

After the horror shows that have been the games the last couple weeks, culminating in Saturday’s debacle, Flyers hockey has taken a turn for the better this week.Monday night’s game in Montreal was a loss, but not the kind of loss that has me steaming out the ears, frothing at the mouth, and mad for days. The Flyers started out playing the game with an effort not seen in … ages? Danny Briere in

crushernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28038037.post-5199721032972660642009-12-07T14:36:00.004-05:002009-12-07T14:44:34.791-05:00

I love when not only am I served with one of the worst nights ever, but I get to pay ~$100 for the privilege of having my blood boil, of trembling with rage, and later to be unable to sleep because I’m still so mad about everything.You might say that perhaps I am too emotionally involved in something that, at the bottom line, should not so fully affect my life. After all, I still have a good job

crushernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28038037.post-89062652724705440932009-12-05T11:59:00.003-05:002009-12-05T12:15:58.396-05:00

So, of course by now you know the Big News. As for me, I can't believe they actually did it, given the many other times when it could / should have been done. I thought John Stevens was a very good coach for the Phantoms. I have been less impressed the last three years though on the surface, what with the Flyers rebounding from trash in '06-'07 to making the ECF in '08, he seemed to be doing a

crushernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28038037.post-58776420830084465402009-12-04T15:12:00.003-05:002009-12-04T15:12:37.511-05:00

What the hell, Flyers? Not a single goal last night? Again?What else is there to say?Let's Go Phantoms! (Tonight!)

crushernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28038037.post-11919191576547793352009-12-03T14:35:00.002-05:002009-12-03T14:41:21.713-05:00

Last night I watched most of the Avalanche/Panthers game. The Panthers were winning for the duration of what I saw, until the last minute. The Avalanche were two goals down (5-3) and pulled the goalie with about 90 seconds to go. With a crunch of six guys on the offensive, chaos in front of the goal, Matt Duchene batted a puck out of the air and into the net. 5-4 with just shy of a minute to

crushernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28038037.post-62406123378670364572009-12-02T15:40:00.005-05:002009-12-02T15:46:45.414-05:00

After my last post, the Flyers went west and after one close game against the Kings (who are better this year than in recent years, give them credit for that at least) they started to lose. It has been hideous recently in Flyersland.There was the match against the Sharks, which was the league’s best team (at the time) vs. a pretty good team looking to prove itself against a bona fide top team.

crushernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28038037.post-17486783327796604432009-11-17T10:29:00.000-05:002009-11-17T10:30:01.350-05:00

When the Flyers played the Devils earlier this season, it was Brodeur’s 1000th game, and I mentioned the historical tendency of the Flyers to allow that goaltender and his team significant milestones. They surprised me that night by winning, denying the Doughboy a win on his 1000th game. I did not know if it was a fluke or the start of something more beautiful. Last night, the Flyers were

crushernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28038037.post-86282702595411553962009-11-16T16:06:00.002-05:002009-11-16T16:16:59.260-05:00

The relative paucity of ticky-tack calling in recent games did not prepare me for the "slash"-fest on Saturday evening; any time a Flyer got anywhere near a Sabre (e.g., Derek Roy) and said Sabre dropped his stick, it was called a slash. Later, when Pronger tried the same thing, turning to the ref with his hands up, he got the call, too, so at least when the Flyers made a point of behaving the

crushernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28038037.post-32181250940048556102009-11-13T11:18:00.001-05:002009-11-13T11:20:14.883-05:00

In the first period of last night’s game, I thought Ottawa’s Pascal Leclaire looked good. Then he left that game behind and became very easy to beat to one side after he had committed to a player on the other. Several – if not all? – of the Flyers’s five goals came that way, with Leclaire down on the ice at one side of the net, having either made a save or prepared to make a save, only to have

crushernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28038037.post-65948201661090419572009-11-11T16:23:00.000-05:002009-11-11T16:24:06.891-05:00

The last few games have made being a Flyers fan peachy. There was the decisive 6-1 drub over the Hurricanes, surely making Michael Leighton cry over his peanut butter toast the next morning; there was the equally as decisive win over the Lightning, chasing former Iowa Star Mike Smith from the net after he allowed 5 goals and giving Antero Niittymaki his first session against his former team (he

crushernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28038037.post-59911296697309654902009-10-28T20:38:00.001-04:002009-10-28T20:40:37.274-04:00

They’ve blocked me from Blogger at work again, so my posting has become sporadic again. (I can't look at sites with “blogspot” in the URL because, the filter claims, of “streaming media” so I can’t even look at my own site, let alone post to it.) You’d think that it would be the opposite – since technically I should be more likely to be blogging at home rather than at work – but I find I’m too

crushernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28038037.post-37329343859651531212009-10-13T09:34:00.000-04:002009-10-13T09:35:33.470-04:00

There were a lot of games on last night, and Center Ice is still free. The Blackhawks game on Vs. wasn’t scheduled to start in East Coast time until 8 p.m. so that left me with a lot of time to kill. There were a few other things I could have done, but all I wanted to do was sit on the couch and watch sports. So I did that; I used the opportunity to ice my knee and I watched the Phillies/

crushernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28038037.post-49411784992459966202009-10-12T11:04:00.002-04:002009-10-12T11:13:49.279-04:00

I haven't watched Saturday's game against the Ducks, and I will probably do so tonight, skipping through commercials and intermissions, simply because J. said that the Flyers looked 3000% better than they have in the last couple games. That is, until Teemu Selanne decided that going down 2-0 wasn't going to happen, and single-handledly won the game for Anaheim by scoring two in the third and the

crushernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28038037.post-64878452719657647082009-10-09T11:03:00.000-04:002009-10-12T11:04:11.691-04:00

Not even sixty seconds into last night’s game, I was ready to turn it off. I had thought that maybe because it wasn’t being televised nationally on Vs., the referee influence might be minimized; but no. At fourteen seconds, Briere was whistled for tapping someone with his stick. Half a minute later, Malkin scored.I decided to give it another shot. There was a lot of game left and maybe it

crushernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28038037.post-9419140476042143572009-10-08T10:38:00.000-04:002009-10-12T10:40:23.359-04:00

Lately I have not been able to access Blogger from my usual station, so my posting has been limited. I have been writing my reports, but haven't been able to post them. The following entries, while entered on October 12, will be post-dated so that they fit in where they are supposed to.-----------------------------------------------------The world of Crusher has slowed down for an hour,

crushernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28038037.post-36017600137722349872009-10-01T17:07:00.001-04:002009-10-01T17:14:52.112-04:00

It’s Opening Day for the 2009-2010 season.Perhaps it is my down feelings about a knee injury I sustained while mountain biking in Utah on September 9th (I may need surgery, an MRI being done tomorrow will tell the tale); I haven’t been able to run in weeks and this is a serious mood-crusher. Perhaps that has combined with a melancholy that this year, there will be no Phantoms season tickets and

crushernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28038037.post-46499996840423592122009-09-16T19:23:00.003-04:002009-09-16T19:25:51.439-04:00

It's been a good summer, where I have stayed away from the blog and much of the hockey world (except around the draft / UFA day) in order to restore my blood pressure to normal levels, but the time has come to get fired up.Flyers / Red Wings preseason tonight, listening on line. It's only the preseason (?) but LET'S GO FLYERS.

crushernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28038037.post-89302939345900602202009-06-26T09:40:00.002-04:002009-06-26T09:55:01.578-04:00

Draft day! I like the "who knows what the hell is going to happen" feel of this day, and I will be disappointed if it goes down like the trade deadline did, with nothing particularly momentous happening. Also, if nothing particularly momentous happens next week.-------------Top three weird or funny search terms leading to hits here in the last month:sidney crosby molestache (I first heard the

crushernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28038037.post-64969055101192420012009-06-18T09:43:00.003-04:002009-06-18T09:47:55.307-04:00

At the beginning of April, I blogged about a couple AHL games I went to while I was visiting home, concluding "They may have a lame-o name in Iowa, but at least they’re still going to have a team to see after this season ends," lamenting the departure of the Phantoms from Philadelphia.Well ... maybe they won't.The latest in the saga that is the AHL franchise located (for now?) in Des Moines.I'm

crushernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28038037.post-77909971723482661472009-06-13T09:42:00.003-04:002009-06-13T09:51:16.228-04:00

No team deserved the Stanley Cup less than the "model franchise" that "won" it last night. That is all. The NHL is a joke. The WWE is more believable.P.S.Dear Ray Emery,I have to say that I was dubious and skeptical when I heard that you were going to be signed by the Flyers, but I have started to come around, looking forward to the game next season when you Hextall those pieces of trash for

crushernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28038037.post-37314670284924958342009-04-25T10:28:00.002-04:002009-04-25T10:31:09.917-04:00

Dear Philadelphia Phantoms,Good bye and thank you for the five seasons I knew you.Love,Crusher

crushernoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28038037.post-73624662699379273732009-04-24T09:24:00.004-04:002009-04-24T09:33:58.792-04:00

I am seriously considering not watching the game live tomorrow afternoon, instead recording it to watch later. I KNOW that whether or not I watch the game live has absolutely no bearing on the outcome of the game, but the fact of the matter is that there have been five games in this playoff series between the Flyers and the Penguins and I have watched three of them live and two of them after the

crushernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28038037.post-79962634444932644202009-04-21T14:52:00.002-04:002009-04-21T15:13:18.206-04:00

Saturday night, after the Phantoms' 6-2 loss to Hershey, it occurred to me that that game might actually have been the last game in the Spectrum. It didn't occur to me while going to the game (and I would have had plenty of time for the thought to cross my mind, seeing as I was in the car 1.5 hours from Wilmington to the arena -- accidents abounded), it didn't occur to me while I was at the game

crushernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28038037.post-10738103693164851462009-04-19T20:51:00.004-04:002009-04-19T21:29:53.835-04:00

Ok, today's game is what you get when the Flyers are not constantly in the penalty box. Refereeing was pathetic but somehow it was pathetic for both sides. Kind of like a "normal" game. And the Flyers are able to win "normal" games.I heart Claude Giroux. Very quickly coming to challenge Mike Richards as my favorite Flyer. I love the way he does not shy from a hit -- is happy to make one -- I

crushernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28038037.post-52953233585433742822009-04-17T22:45:00.002-04:002009-04-17T22:47:34.866-04:00

I was thinking during the game tonight that this is what you get when the referees let the dudes play.And then Staal held Carter's stick on a flimsy "hook" and wasn't called for it, so the Pens got a PP to tie the game late in the third.Silly me.

crushernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28038037.post-81812805839311911642009-04-17T15:19:00.004-04:002009-04-17T15:51:33.673-04:00

The Phantoms lost last night, 4-2. It was unfortunate. The woman in the row behind us, toward the end of the game, noted sadly to those she had come to the game with that "[The Bears] came to play tonight ... the Phantoms did not." I don't know what game you were watching, lady. The Phantoms did play. I was pretty amazed at their passing; very improved. They hit. I thought they played with

crushernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28038037.post-49187381202071976112009-04-16T14:31:00.001-04:002009-04-16T14:31:38.495-04:00

On the day of the Phantoms’ first playoff game of the season, I want to write a little bit about the so-called “last game” at the Spectrum last Friday, April 10, 2009. I admit that I did not have strong hopes for the Phantoms going into the game, though I did not face it with the same “yeah right!” attitude that I held as I sat down to watch the Flyers/Penguins game last night. I thought the

crushernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28038037.post-15239220942441160502009-04-10T09:40:00.002-04:002009-04-10T10:04:59.394-04:00

I made the mistake of watching the scoreboard during the Phantoms game Wednesday night (at the same time also seeing the Binghamton score). It was a roller coaster experience, with the Phantoms leading and Binghamton losing, then both tied, then the Phantoms leading, then tied, and both games went past regulation with the result that Binghamton won and the Phantoms lost. With Binghamton's two

crushernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28038037.post-58073239978805567092009-04-07T16:41:00.002-04:002009-04-07T16:45:40.390-04:00

I was away in Iowa for more than a week, missing five home Phantoms games but seeing two AHL games involving the Quad City Flames. (Why call them that, when they are the “Quad Cities”?) This was more or less coincidence. The only home Iowa Chops game I could attend was on Sunday, March 29th, and the opponent was the Flames. Moline, where the Flames play, is a shorter drive from home than Des

crushernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28038037.post-26302804079546999992009-03-17T10:55:00.002-04:002009-03-17T10:59:02.175-04:00

I have a wish. I wish that at least once during the next four weeks of the regular season I get to see a justly officiated game. By justly, I mean:1) Legitimate infractions are called. A high stick drawing blood should not go uncalled with two referees on the ice.2) Appropriate calls will be made. A player using his shoulder to cleanly hit an opposing player in the shoulder should not be

crushernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28038037.post-51534914844659289012009-03-12T10:11:00.001-04:002009-03-12T10:11:20.000-04:00

Last night became the first time I have ever left a professional hockey game early. I just couldn’t stand it any more. I am extremely disappointed that one of the last five Phamtoms games I will get to see had to be the disaster last night was. It started out fine – but “fine” lasted only a few seconds. 35 seconds into the game, the Phantoms got a power play. (I might mention that Nygel

crushernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28038037.post-89410192209149082502009-03-11T14:54:00.002-04:002009-03-11T14:56:10.076-04:00

Good game last night. No faulting Biron on that first goal; flukes happen and while a magical save would have been great, I can’t blame him for it. He’s been good lately. I hate to say it because I hate to jinx him. But I’ve come to the conclusion that I don’t care who is in goal (no matter how much I wish it were Niitty being the great goalie), just as long as the Flyers win and win and

crushernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28038037.post-85872449556689014222009-03-10T10:40:00.003-04:002009-03-10T11:16:10.639-04:00

The monster went back into hiding last Saturday night as the Flyers that came out of the tunnel for the game against Nashville were seemingly a completely different set of players than had come out for the game against Calgary. As bad as the game Thursday was, the game Saturday was pleasant to watch. The Flyers did most things right. And the score reflected that. (And apparently the Flyers

crushernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28038037.post-62558110713936270852009-03-07T15:51:00.002-05:002009-03-07T15:52:57.855-05:00

I was organizing digital photos on my computer today (good grief have I taken a lot of pictures at hockey games) and I came across this, from the Flyers/Leafs game I went to in March 2006:Aubin really hasn't changed much, has he?Ok, Flyers vs. Nashville tonight. I won't be watching the game live, so don't tell me what happens. I will see it tomorrow.

crushernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28038037.post-2183264304482590972009-03-06T12:41:00.001-05:002009-03-06T12:41:24.459-05:00

The hockey gods are fickle and often cruel. If I have learned anything about the game over the years, it is this.The hockey gods saw Scottie Upshall traded on Wednesday for Daniel Carcillo. I admit I scratched my head when I saw this trade being one of only two deals the Flyers pulled on Trade Deadline Day. I suppose it must have been a numbers game (e.g., Carcillo ather than Upshall gives the

crushernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28038037.post-90831768678738720802009-03-04T08:19:00.003-05:002009-03-04T08:39:09.432-05:00

While the searcher from Centerville, MA didn't get what s/he wanted last night, I pretty much did. Except for a sickly power play, the Flyers played a pretty great game last night and stifled the Bruins. Niittymaki was excellent. Not a boring moment.What a difference Timonen appears to make. He didn't play as though he has been sick for days, did he? (Not that I doubt that he was sick.) He

crushernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28038037.post-9588665473032634262009-03-03T09:15:00.003-05:002009-03-03T09:23:17.463-05:00

Someone in Centerville, MA has the following wish:I want someone to fight Randy Jones.I know this because those are the search terms that led this person to this blog.You are probably not going to get what you want, person. I cannot recall having ever seen Randy Jones fight and I very much doubt it will happen tonight. If the Bruins had not already taken Randy Freaking Jones's head off in any

crushernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28038037.post-2440391916649069262009-03-02T12:05:00.001-05:002009-03-02T12:15:45.436-05:00

The Flyers page-a-day calendar has gone back to 2006-2007 season tidbits in the last couple weeks. Not only that, but it appears to like Joni Pitkanen stats (regardless of season)."On January 30, 2006, Flyers defenseman Joni Pitkanen scored in overtime to defeat the New York Rangers, 3-2, at Madison Square Garden. He became only the second defenseman in NHL history to score at least three

crushernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28038037.post-38352853081141189042009-03-01T20:33:00.002-05:002009-03-01T21:19:33.638-05:00

Friday night, at the Spectrum, the Phantoms played a poor game and lost 4-1 to Bridgeport. Not many highlights out of it. Matt Clackson fought and appeared to be getting clocked and clocked but he managed to dish it out a few times too. (The fight went on and on.) Munroe was simply not on his game whatsoever. All four goals went in the same side, same place, almost the same way. Some guys

crushernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28038037.post-62884029015970279942009-02-27T13:03:00.002-05:002009-02-27T13:05:56.710-05:00

I know the Internet is all about a quick look, short bursts of information, a tidy post telling you everything you want to know in a few sentences. Yet I have a lot to cover in this post, and I’m a talkative writer, so it’s going to be long. That’s your warning. Here are the topics I am going to cover, so that you can perhaps skip down to what it is you want to read about, if you don’t have

crushernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28038037.post-40588879499666403862009-01-27T08:54:00.003-05:002009-01-27T09:49:54.796-05:00

Traffic woes prevented me from making it to the Phantoms game on Friday (I would have been very late, in a very bad mood, and it just wasn't worth the possible road rage incident that might have happened on the way). This means I missed the opening-faceoff fight between Klotz and Westgarth, in which Klotz was clocked three times in succession and crumpled to the ice, where he then had a 30-40

crushernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28038037.post-22474644249335479172009-01-22T15:28:00.002-05:002009-01-22T15:38:37.004-05:00

Instead of getting worked up at the Flyers' collapse during the third period last night (in which they allowed a 3-0 lead go to 3-3), I will think of it as the Flyers playing cat-and-mouse with the Thrashers. Let them think they had a chance to win, only to rip victory away with two Mike Knuble goals.All I can say about the Briere situation is that I thought he looked good during the Phantoms

crushernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28038037.post-19078867265062777632009-01-19T18:43:00.003-05:002009-01-19T18:56:31.937-05:00

Last night's Phantoms game was a frustration until approximately the third period. The Phantoms were generating next to no offense -- we're talking 2 shots on goal in the first, and no goals to offset that like happened in the second period on Friday (2 shots, 1 goal). Albany's goalie had to do very little to keep the Phantoms at 0 goals, while the Rats scored one.Before the start of the third

crushernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28038037.post-46313419265481751052009-01-16T09:13:00.002-05:002009-01-16T09:29:23.424-05:00

I didn't watch the game last night. And I'm not sorry I didn't record it, because it sounds like it's not something I'd want to see anyway. A couple hours that can be better spent doing something else!Maybe the Flyers are sluggish because they don't know what to do in a place where the temperatures aren't sub-freezing. Then again, most of them are from places that routinely get colder than

crushernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28038037.post-53394046854783541652009-01-15T10:47:00.003-05:002009-01-17T22:32:05.559-05:00

Last night’s Phantoms game was more fun that I’ve had at a hockey game in a long time. The game resulted in the exact opposite mood from the Flyers game. From the start, there was excitement to see Danny Briere in a Phantoms jersey (#48, naturally); he was on the starting lineup, with Jared Ross and Andreas Nodl (playing back-to-back nights). We cheer each name as it is read, and when Nodl’s

crushernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28038037.post-80626761272670421422009-01-14T15:46:00.002-05:002009-01-17T22:35:13.410-05:00

It is with a hefty sigh that I report on my experience at the Wachovia Center last night. I do so with unfettered whining. Sometimes, it just boils out. My journeys to Flyers games always start with so much hope, even knowing my all-time win-loss record isn’t all that good. Our seats were so good – approximately the same location as I sit for Phantoms games in the Spectrum, just a few rows

crushernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28038037.post-67351587746358050922009-01-13T08:55:00.002-05:002009-01-13T09:05:05.809-05:00

I'm going to tonight's game. Given the greatness of the seats (and their probable cost) I wouldn't be surprised if two streaks, of a sort, will end tonight.1) The Flyers have been excellent at home of late. Their last regulation loss happened on my birthday, a game which I attended: November 8, 2008 against the Lightning. Since then they've had only two overtime losses (if I recall correctly

crushernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28038037.post-56443018437856763562009-01-09T09:44:00.002-05:002009-01-09T09:55:17.661-05:00

I watched the first period of the game last night live, before I had to head out to a class at the pool for reasons that are not important right here*. When I returned, I watched the rest of the game. When I had left, game was 1-0 Wild, and J. had messaged me that what I returned to might not be that nice. I replied that when I had missed the Caps game the other night, returning to it late, it

crushernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28038037.post-55011470634155806202009-01-07T15:12:00.001-05:002009-01-08T09:12:26.657-05:00

When the Flyers pushed the Kings to a shootout, in spite of a roster playing on one leg, I questioned whether it was the Flyers just being that good or the Kings being that bad. I think the question might have been answered, since the Flyers pushed the Capitals to a shootout as well last night. It’s one thing to make the 23rd-ranked team have to beat a beat-up team in a shootout; quite another

crushernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28038037.post-72745349152329604102009-01-06T13:28:00.002-05:002009-01-06T13:31:26.031-05:00

A few days removed now from the game in Los Angeles. It was boggling how the Flyers could manage to draw a point out of that game, even going all the way to a shootout. The lines were the sort of thing that come out of a game where you try to come up with the most ridiculous-sounding lineup and then laugh because it’s so far-fetched and hilarious. When you have a defenseman who is not even old

crushernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28038037.post-31142946492461977762009-01-02T14:38:00.004-05:002009-01-02T14:51:57.506-05:00

It was a late night Tuesday because the Flyers refused to put the beat down on the Canucks, who refused to go gently into that good night. The game was too close to allow for an "Oh hell I'll just go to bed because I know how this is going to end." So I was up until 12:30. But at least it was a decent game (after the first, oh, minute or so) and the Flyers ended up on the right end of the 2

crushernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28038037.post-84253234289409383552008-12-29T09:57:00.002-05:002008-12-29T10:32:52.162-05:00

So I had this list of hockey going on the week before I left Delaware for Iowa:Flyers vs. Avalanche, Dec. 16th. A nice payback for the horrific 5-2 loss in October -- a 5-2 win. After giving up the first goal, the Flyers threw in four of their own that were unanswered. A second Colorado goal came at the end of the second period, but the Flyers scored again in the third to seal the 5-2 victory.

crushernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28038037.post-43427985407793515572008-12-15T10:37:00.000-05:002008-12-15T10:38:43.673-05:00

On Saturday, I was busy while the game against the Penguins was being played. I wore my new Upshall t-shirt in honor, though, and made sure I didn’t see a TV while out to eat or listen to anyone who might be talking about the game, so that when I got home later in the day and could sit down to watch it, it would all be a nice (or not?) surprise. J. texted me as I was turning the game on, asking

crushernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28038037.post-13274088175509987462008-12-12T09:13:00.002-05:002008-12-12T09:22:18.680-05:00

It's Friday, the Flyers play tomorrow, and here is a pretty statistic to get you through until the game at 1:In the Flyers' last 15 games, they have had only one regulation loss (that stupid game in Toronto).Since going 0-3-3 to start the season, the Flyers have gone 15-4-3.With 36 points, they are 6th in the league. They are followed directly by Pittsburgh (also with 36 points, but they have

crushernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28038037.post-26315445535235570972008-12-11T21:49:00.003-05:002008-12-15T09:42:48.798-05:00

OMFG. I am just about speechless. Flyers down 5-1 going into the third and end up going to a shootout, and winning by dominating the shootout?If I hadn't watched it all, I wouldn't believe it.Nice job on the hat trick by Hartnell. Great goals by Upshall and Gagne to bring the 5-1 disaster to an improbable 5-5 tie. Great job by Niittymaki (if you pretend the first two periods full of soft

crushernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28038037.post-42124816922922230712008-12-07T21:09:00.003-05:002008-12-07T21:36:37.201-05:00

Friday night, the Phantoms game was not very interesting for the first period or two. Some goals were scored, but the action seemed subdued. There were two early fights, but even they seemed half-hearted and didn't really stir things up. It was close for a little bit, but the Phantoms were 3-1 at one point. I was at the game with D. (who was a season ticket holder pal last year, but is not

crushernoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28038037.post-6003169402930574902008-12-05T12:17:00.009-05:002008-12-05T15:01:20.521-05:00

Screw-ups at my job include:1) Microscope out of focus; pictures suck.2) Forgetting what magnification I used; improper scale bar results.3) Late report; customers annoyed.These things are rare. Rarer are such eff-ups as burning myself with liquid ethane or liquid nitrogen or spilling some chemical (I don't actually use very many).None of those eff-ups, including the

crushernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28038037.post-88023453139958869432008-12-03T10:51:00.005-05:002008-12-03T10:54:05.846-05:00

It’s a decent time to be a Flyers fan, though you wouldn’t know it from this blog. Don’t think that because I haven’t been writing, I haven’t been noticing, or watching, or following along.Random comments about recent events to follow ….. It was refreshing to a) see some team other than Hershey play against the Phantoms last Friday and b) see the Phantoms win. It was not refreshing in any way

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