RICE & MICE: The phenomenon of delayed-onset muscle soreness

While not technically an injury, delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) is a phenomenon that every athlete experiences and can cause significant discomfort and pain. DOMS occurs in response to increased exertion and can also occur after “new” activities and exercises. The delayed onset peaks in 1-2 days following exertion and the soreness usually will resolve in around 4 days, though full recovery may take a week. An older school of thought attributed DOMS to a lactic acid build up in muscles. Lactic acid accumulation can cause some discomfort during and immediately after exercise, but only lasts an hour or so. …

Benchmarking some ’11 predictions

We were too new and too disorganized to assemble a preview of the 2011 NHL season worth reading. However, we made sporadic predictions on our site and participated in Freeze the Puck’s Atlantic Division Preview. So, we’ll aggregate some of those predictions here and benchmark our results. Prediction #1: Breakout stars Atlantic Division: I’m going to pick Claude Giroux. He’s been a slow starter over the last few seasons but he also hasn’t had wingers that could keep up with him on his line. Claude Giroux is only two goals shy of tying his career high of 16 goals. He …

The morning after: Senators @ Flyers 11.15.10

“The morning after” is a review of the previous night’s Flyers’ game which, in theory, provides a more objective perspective on the game. So the Flyers seem to be playing pretty dominant hockey lately, eh?  The schedule looks tough this week, and it will be a good test for the team.  Not multiple choice, but one of those essay ones that you have to write in those blue books. This game was touted a clash of two of the hottest teams in the league right now.  And the Flyers dominated.  The game started slowly, with a bit of feeling-out in the beginning …

The morning after: Islanders @ Flyers 10.30.10

“The morning after” is a review of the previous night’s Flyers’ game which, in theory, provides a more objective perspective on the game. I think of the Islanders as a measuring stick for your team.  Meaning if your team loses to the Islanders, they suck and will end up being moved to Las Vegas.  If your team wins, then they get two points.  Good deal, huh? This was the Flyers Halloween game, and there were some frightful things going on in this game.  Chief among them: Rick DiPietro’s pads (although for a good cause) and, oh yeah, his play.  I …

The morning after: Flyers @ Penguins 10.29.10

“The morning after” is a review of the previous night’s Flyers’ game which, in theory, provides a more objective perspective on the game. Wow!  Excitement at the beginning and the end of this game (lacking somewhat in the middle).  Viewed as a whole, it was a good game to start the “dad weekend”.  (Aside: Who wants to party with the Carcillos?  Here we go!)  If you missed the first 2:35 of this game, you missed a lot. 30 minutes of penalties, a great off-the-puck-drop fight between Captain Mike Richards and Matt Cooke (who got pummeled at the end of the fight …

Five questions: Which of the following defenders will emerge as the best: Matt Carle, Braydon Coburn, or Andrej Meszaros?

Flyers Faithful asked Sarah Baicker from CSN Philly, Anthony SanFilippo from the DelCo Daily Times, Geoff Detweiler from Broad Street Hockey, and our very own Nina G five questions about the ’11 Flyers’ season. We are very grateful that they took the time to share their opinions and predictions with us. Each day of this week, we will run the answers to one of those questions. Today’s question is: Which of the following defenders will emerge as the best: Matt Carle, Braydon Coburn, or Andrej Meszaros? Sarah Baicker: Matt Carle. It’s funny – Carle’s quiet consistency is often unnoticed in …

The morning after: Flyers vs. Lightning 10.14.10

“The morning after” is a review of the previous night’s Flyers’ game which, in theory, provides a more objective perspective on the game. Hey, did you hear that Simon Gagne returned to Philadelphia last night? I bet you didn’t. It sort of flew by under the radar. Like every other diehard Flyers fan, you were probably too focused on the return of the legendary Randy Jones to notice. In case you did miss the game, here is the tribute to Gagne, which originally appeared on The 700 Level: Gagne deserved the standing ovation he received but he was a non-factor on …

Mixed bag: 10.10.10

Mixed Bag is an infrequent column that features a collection of opinions and observations about the Flyers. In the grand scheme of things, two games makes for a small sample size. There’s no reason to make any significant changes at this point or even begin to declare that some things may or may not be working well. These are just general observations and nothing more than that. So far, Mike Richards has lost 16 of the 29 faceoffs he’s taken, putting him at 44%. Jeff Carter, who was the team’s best faceoff man last season, has only taken 13 faceoffs …

Hamhuis is in. So, who’s out?

The Flyers traded defenseman RFA Ryan Parent to the Nashville Predators in exchange for Dan Hamhuis, who is set to become a free agent on July 1. Parent, a former first round pick of the Predators, suffered a rash of injuries and never lived up to his potential in Philadelphia. Though the Flyers have not signed — or, at least, announced — a new contract with the physical defender, it’s reasonable to assume they will do so. As pointed out on Twitter by Greg Wyshynski, of Puck Daddy fame, it was 3 years and 1 day ago that the Flyers …

What went wrong?

One goal and one game. That’s how close the Flyers came to claiming the Cup as their own for the 2010 season. Facing such adversity with their backs against the wall from game 82, they were, as their slogan proclaimed, relentless. The Flyers hung in there against teams that were supposed to steamroll them and made history in the process. If you asked any player in orange, he would have told you the Cup was destined to come to Philadelphia. So where did it all go wrong? How did their season come screeching to a halt on the most anticlimactic …