phi1671

PA • United States • 50 Years Old • Male

Thoughts

Throughout these playoffs, I have read time and time again how this team doesn’t match up with this team and that team has better depth than this team.

In the end, it’s the game itself and how it’s played.

I for one like to see the game played 5 on 5, I don’t want to have the game tarnished by seeing a winning goal scored on the Power Play. Even if it’s my team that scored it. I want both teams to play hard and see who comes out the winner. At the same time, the playoffs are all about bounces. The team that gets the right bounces will win any game, all the time. I brought up the 5 on 5 point with a another HB blogger and the one thing that we agreed on is that if you’re going to let them play in the beginning of the series, than allow them to play the rest of the series. Remember the best referees are invisible.

During the Finals I have watched two EVENLY matched teams and I knew the team that got the right bounces at the right time will raise the Silver Chalice. As we saw last night, this is what transpired. I have read numerous articles and blogs stating how the Hawks were going to sweep, how Philly was going to win in 5 or 6, so on and so forth. All good stuff for the print media to sell. Once again, it’s the players that decide who wins and losses, not you, not me and it shouldn’t be the refs. The two teams battled hard and in the end, the team that did get the right bounce at the right time, was able to end their years of futility. The Hawks showed their depth and so did the Flyers.

(Now I know people are going to read this and say I’m bitter and that’s far from the truth. I like to challenge the reader to think outside the “rink” instead of being narrow minded and read with their emotions)

I never bought into the whole dumb spitting thing, or the “stealing” of pucks or the skirt on Pronger. All of those things were taking out of context. The skirt on Pronger was really funny on the back end because of the hot water The Tribune got themselves in when they ran the photo. I could care less about Buffy vs. Pronger. It was a matchup of a 17 goal scorer versus a Hall of Famer. They both played as expected. It’s the media that blows everything out of proportion.

As we move along into next year, I would like to see the Loser point removed. It’s dumb and needs to go. The NHL is the only league that gives a team a point for losing. I think Bettman is the only fool, I mean person that likes this.
I would also expand overtime to 10min and I would even cut down intermission to 12 min between periods to fit all this in.

Now…
The Flyers, I believe they finally have the right coach and have the right mix to show they are part of the elite. They are still missing like every other team is, a few pieces to get over the edge. As I stated to a buddy of mine today, it’s going to be interesting to hear about all the injuries. I’ve seen several people post on Facebook about the disappearance of Carter. Yes, Carter did not score too many goals but in reality let’s not forget he came back from TWO broken feet. His play was admirable and yes, I would rather have two broken feet Carter in the lineup than Carcillo. I would also imagine Richards is slightly dinged up, along with Lappy still not being 100%. But, with all the injuries, the 7 goalies used this team showed true heart, to get where they got this past year.

Everyone will also point out the weakness in goal but in reality, I’m comfortable with Leighton/Boucher, with the emphasis on Leighton depending on what his price tag will be. Beyond that, they need a better 3rd pairing on defense. Bartulis is coming into his own but they need another veteran to help out along the way. Parent/Krajicek will not work. On offense, the core is set. I would like them to bring in another veteran on the wing and weed out a few marginal players. I would only think that another veteran on offense will help this team in the long run. Asham/Powe are bubble players with Asham being a free agent. I would not be surprised if someone such as Hartnell gets traded to free up another roster spot. I would also get JVR in the weight room ASAP. Overall the roster is set and there is solid core in place. AND I WOULD FIND A ROSTER SPOT FOR LEINO!!!

As much as the Flyers generally don’t have a lot of cap space, I think going into next year, they are more suited to make run for the Grand Silver Chalice than ever before. They have a lot to look forward too because the core is growing together instead of getting ready to be blown up because of the salary cap. I know one such team that is going to go Kaboom due to the salary cap….

It’s an exciting time to be a Flyers Fan. Time to turn the page and look forward to next year. I for one hope the marketing department comes up with a new slogan and start clean. Remove all the OLD ways of pumping up the crowd and create something new and fresh. I would challenge them to bring something new and exciting instead of seeing the same old stuff each and every game. If you want to pull the superstitious card, cut the cord on a few things, they haven’t worked.

Thank you. Let’s go Flyers!!!

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