Michael DeNicola
3/15/10
I happened to be lucky enough to be at the Chicago Hawks vs Flyers game Saturday afternoon and witnessed one of the most exciting 3rd period comebacks I have ever seen. Especially since a red hot Blackhawks team came to town looking to further lock up the best record in the West.
It was almost as if the Flyers read my article after that despicable Bruins game, put it all behind them and went out on Saturday playing with the skill and confidence everyone knows they have.
I am especially proud of Scott Hartnell who seemed to climb out of this slump of his (if only for a game) and scored a fine looking goal for the Fly Boys. From then on it was a battle between the two teams, combining 5 goals all in the third period.
This win was special, especially to the fans, whose expectations have been up and down all season long. It wasn't until in the final 2 seconds of the period did Chris Pronger race to Hawks goaltender, Cristobel Huet's crease and tap in an assisted game winning goal ending the game in the Flyers favor, 3 - 2.
With all that said, the orange soldiers picked up their gloves and sticks thrown to the ice in celebration and headed to the Big Apple to take on a hurting New York Rangers team. You would have thought a squad of untalented aliens took over the bodies of the Flyers players because their game was flatter than an Olsen twin laying down in the middle of Ohio.
Danny Briere was the only player to score for Philadelphia, knocking the rubber in net within the first 5 minutes of the 1st period. From then on, it was all Rangers left winger and well known agitator, Sean Avery's show.
The man makes a living climbing under his opponents' skin and chewing at their very core until a reaction from them results in penalties and/or fighting majors. Well, he did not disappoint.
Not only did Avery flap his gums and make some solid and some dirty hits, but he also put up two goals for the Rangers. Off the ice, no one would expect it, but Sean is very much into fashion. I wouldn't be surprised if this metro sexual had more stiletto heels than Rue Paul. I mean, he's even been photographed wearing knickers, for crying out loud! Who is this guy, some 1920's newsie running errands for a Speak Easy owner? But who am I to talk? The man sucked Hartnell into a 2 minute minor and got the Flyers bench blood boiling which ultimately threw them all off their game.
Just as Flyers fans sat on the edge of their seats with minutes to go in the 3rd, down 2 - 1, Sean Avery deflated any hope of another comeback by top shelfing a shot past Michael Leighton giving the Rangers their 31st win of the season.
Every coach and team owner in the NHL know that the Philadelphia Flyers are a threat on the ice. Physically and talent-wise. However, it is not until the Flyers gain some sort of momentum and consistency before you or myself, as fans, have any faith in how deep they can carry us into the playoffs.
They're hot one game, and colder than an eskimo's ass the next. If you ask any hockey coach, this is a problem that needs to be resolved. The Flyers only have 14 games left this regular season, and here I am again saying "something must be done".
Next game, the Flyers take on the Nashville Predators in Tennessee, March 16th @ 8:00pm EST.
**Editorial Note** I forgot to mention that the Flyers arrived in New York Saturday night after being stuck on the train for 4 hours due to bad weather conditions. I am aware that getting onto the ice 12 hours later just after battling a tough Blackhawks team and with little sleep/rest can make any team and players drag. It's not an excuse, but it is something to keep in mind.
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