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Voracek’s Hat Trick Puts Flyers Past Penguins in Pittsburgh

The Philadelphia Flyers edged out a 6-5 win at the CONSOL Energy Center tonight against the Pittsburgh Penguins in a ridiculous contest between the Atlantic Division opponents. Jakub Voracek recorded a hat trick and Wayne Simmonds had a three-point night, as well as a Gordie Howe hat trick, in a wild one-goal win on the road. Ilya Bryzgalov had 27 saves and Tomas Vokoun registered 26 saves, as the pair struggled in the 32 shots they saw apiece. Paul Martin had a three-assist evening, while Evgeni Malkin and James Neal each had a goal and an assist in the emotional defeat. …

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Then and Now: Adam Oates

Adam Oates entered the league quietly and left the league just the same, but the former center was rewarded for his playing career recently when he was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame. After he joined the Detroit Red Wings during the 1985-1986 season as an undrafted free agent out of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Oates went on to finish 16th on the all-time points list with 1,420. Known as one of the game’s greatest playmakers, Oates finished sixth on the all-time NHL assists list with 1,079, which is more than Gordie Howe and Mario Lemieux. Oates was one of …

Mark, Azia, Ella, and Gordie Howe

Behind the Crest: Gordie, Mark, and Azia Howe

Hockey enthusiasts could tell you a thing or two about Gordie and Mark Howe. They know all about “Mr. Hockey” and his son, widely considered to be one of the greatest defensemen of all time. They can give you a laundry list of reasons as to why both men were so deserving of their respective Hall of Fame inductions. But someone very close to them, someone who knows both very well, can’t recall much of their careers. “To be totally honest, I can’t tell you my grandfather’s or father’s stats. I know from other people that they were both great …

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Briere Nets Winner In Overtime, Flyers Take 1-0 Series Lead

After having a goal earlier in the overtime period waved off, Danny Briere potted the winner 4:36 into the extra frame for a 4-3 win and a 1-0 series advantage for the Flyers in their Eastern Conference Semifinals’ matchup with the New Jersey Devils. “Is it pressure? I think it’s fun,” Briere said of playoff hockey. “When I have the opportunity, like I’ve had the past few years here, I try to take advantage of the opportunities.” Minutes after he had a goal disallowed for kicking the puck into the back of the net, Briere received a Jakub Voracek pass at …

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Howe gives thanks on Tuesday

Prior to the Flyers’ 3-2 victory over the Detroit Red Wings on Tuesday, Mark Howe spoke to a sellout crowd as his No. 2 was raised to the rafters. Flanked by his children, grandchildren, former wife and father Gordie, the 56-year-old spoke with grace and brevity. Below is a transcript of his remarks. “I stand before you today a proud yet humbled man.  I am being honored tonight in the presence of the two teams that have been a part of my life for the past 30 years.  In Detroit, I had the opportunity to play with the great Nick …

Atlantic Watch: 12/14-12/20

The last two games for the Flyers haven’t been pretty, but there is good news related to the team’s point-leader. Claude Giroux is expected to make a return in the near future, the earliest being tonight’s game against the Dallas Stars, from his concussion. This is good news considering the status of Chris Pronger, who will not take part in another game at any point this season or for the playoffs. With his team going 2-2-0 in his absence, Giroux’s return will hopefully turn things around for the Orange and Black. As for Philly’s games this week, the Flyers extended their winning …

Howe inducted into Hockey Hall of Fame with class, key messages

You might think that Mark Howe, the newest former Philadelphia Flyer to be enshrined in the Hockey Hall of Fame, might introduce the meat of his speech by dedicating a few words to his family, his former teammates, or his famous father. But the 56-year-old kicked off his time at the podium in downtown Toronto this evening by addressing a situation that has been largely ignored: that of compensation for the victims of the Lokomotiv Yaroslavl air tragedy, which occurred on September 7 and claimed the life of the club’s head coach and Howe’s former teammate, Brad McCrimmon. “I hope …