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"All Geeked-Up for the Deadline..."
Newtown Square, PA • United States • 45 Years Old • Male
Flyers: First Place by a 2 3/8"

Just ask any goalie...the post is part of the equipment. Flyers fans are pretty happy for that belief. The left post of Antero Niittymaki lifted the Flyers into sole possession of first place in the Atlantic Division with 65 points.


(Click on me)

For those of you unable to read the dimensions of an NHL regulation goal post, found in the drawing above, please contact Antero Niittymaki. He should be able to tell you. It saved his bacon last night versus the Southeast Division leading Atlanta Thrashers.

The width of a regulation goal post is 2 3/8" O.D. This schedule 40 galvanized steel pipe was all that stood between a hair-on-fire, disorganized and downright lucky 3rd period escape from Hotlanta with two points and a demoralizing, potential loss.

Steve Downie boke a 2-2 tie and put the Flyers in a position to win the game on an improbable one-time, 3-iron shot on a bouncing puck late in the 3rd period of last night's game. The Flyers' bad boy nailed the shot, off a nice feed from Scott Harnell, and rocketed it between the legs of a stunned Kari Lehtonen.

Don't celebrate yet, people.

Only half a minute later, perennial All-Star, Marian Hossa dislodged the puck from underneath a pile, that included a sprawled out Antero Niittymaki, and headed for the right side of the goalmouth. The ever dangerous Hossa, slipped free and snapped a shot that rang off Nitty's left-hand post and came out at a crazy angle. The non-goal was reviewed and upheld - whew! Until the horn sounded, the Flyboys were running around in their own zone while the Thrash put rubber on net like it was a shooting gallery. A few really nice glove saves in close by Niittymaki, and that post, prevented Atlanta from getting at least a point.

I've never really considered a 2 3/8" length of galvanized steel pipe worthy of affection, until last night. But...I think a Valentine's card might be in order.

I think, however, it is quite plausible that I might get pushed out of the way by Mr. Niittymaki - encumbered with roses, chocolates and a huge card for his new big toe and bestest buddy - his left post.




Phlyer Phacts:

* The Flyers scored two powerplay goals to maintain their league leading scoring binge on the man advantage.

* Mike Knuble continued his red-hot February play as he potted his 20th of the season and fourth goal in two games. Knubs leads the team in powerplay goals with 13.

* Not to be outdone, Mr. Everything, Mike Richards, had an assist and scored his 22nd goal of the season on the powerplay. The future Captain increased his team leading tallies for goals (22), assists (37) and points with 59.

* Antero Niittymaki, and his post, picked up their 10th win of the season.

Game on!

The Flyers, and their four foot tall left post, take on the league's one-man wrecking crew and leading scorer in Alexander Ovechkin as the Flyers play host to the Washington Capitals, tonight. AO has 45 goals and 72 points to lead the NHL in those catagories. Flyers win a hard fought 5-3 victory, Ovechkin lights the lamp twice and the Flyers come within a hair of the Conference leading Ottawa Senators with their 67th point.

The New Jersey Devils, two points behind the Flyers, take on the suddenly streaking Buffalo Sabres - 4-0-1 in their last five games. The Devils have the uncharacteristic chance to sweep this season series from the Sabres for the first time in a decade. Sabs get off the schide and win a close 4-3 victory. Watch out for Jason Pominville.

That's my story and I'm stickin' to it.

Get your the foil on, boys...and the best game you can name,
Is the good old Hockey game! (I can hear you singing)

Thanks for reading...

SYF

February 6, 2008 11:43 AM ET | Delete
My valentine card:Roses are red, violets are blue, unless the Flyers are shooting I love the goal posts too.Nice job as always SYF.
February 6, 2008 11:43 AM ET | Delete
awesome as usual SYF. and so true. i was thinking of asking the post to marry me, but think of hos ugly our kids would be. /sigh. at least ill get to see her in person again tonight.
February 6, 2008 11:48 AM ET | Delete
Love letters to formed steel pipe? Where does this lead SYF? As a friend, I have concerns. Please feel free* to contact for consultation. (*Slight hourly charges will apply.) Great blog. As always, you make them a fun read.
February 6, 2008 2:41 PM ET | Delete
Always a pleasure to real one of your pieces. Thanks. I wonder if Nitty talks to the posts like Roy used to do?
February 6, 2008 3:04 PM ET | Delete
Goal posts are part of the equipment too. =- )
February 6, 2008 5:36 PM ET | Delete
World-class goalie with some World-class luck sometimes. Hey we'll take it.
February 6, 2008 6:31 PM ET | Delete
Hate to break it to you, but the Habs own the best PP %. Sorry.
February 6, 2008 8:02 PM ET | Delete
Hey jimvinny, let a poor, dumb, non-traditional market kind of guy break it to you - SYF said PP scoring - not PP percentage, there is a difference. The Flyers have 64 goals to Montreal's 63.
February 6, 2008 8:24 PM ET | Delete
JimVinny, "The Flyers scored two powerplay goals to maintain their league leading scoring binge on the man advantage."Hate to break it to you, but I was talking about number of powerplay goals scored. http://www.nhl.com/nhlstats/app?fetchKey=20082ALLAAAAll
February 6, 2008 8:27 PM ET | Delete
Blueline,Thanks for your defence. It is obvious that some hockey snobs, who think the game was dropped on them by heaven above, fail to read even the most basic of sentences. From the sarcasm and snottiness, I would have thought Maple Leafs fan. Oh well.
February 6, 2008 9:49 PM ET | Delete
ps - I almost fell off my chair when I read "poor, dumb, non-traditional market kind of guy." You know more about hockey in your short tenure as a fan than many folks who grew up playing shinny in their back yard and listened to HNIC with their parents. Give me non-traditional, passionate fans who love their team and who are willing to fight to keep it.btw...I respect the Habs and their fans immensely. Their history and passion for the game is legendary. Don't send the Bleu, Blanc et Rouge mafia after me EE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!SYF
February 6, 2008 10:22 PM ET | Delete
I kind of thought you might get a kick out of that.
February 7, 2008 11:34 AM ET | Delete
The Goalie's Prayer - 'The post is my friend; I shall not want'
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