Any hockey fan worth his or her salt knows the opening scene of the seminal 1977 George Roy Hill-Paul Newman flick “Slap Shot,” where goaltender Denis Lemieux is explaining to host Jim Carr and the presumed television audience what certain penalties are and how bad you should feel once you get caught committing them. Basically, you follow the rules and everything should work out all right. If you don’t, you sit in the penalty box and…well…you can quote me the rest. Not that Ian Laperriere or the selection committee for the Bill Masterton Trophy should be locked up in a …
The Numbers Game
October 7, 1990. An otherwise unremarkable day in the history of the universe. In hockey circles, It was the Philadelphia Flyers’ 1990-91 home opener, played against the Detroit Red Wings after opening the year with two straight losses at Boston and New Jersey. In and of itself, that 7-2 victory played out in front of a sell-out crowd wasn’t notable, unless you count falling behind 2-0 early and then scoring seven straight goals. What did make it special was, it was the official retirement ceremony for Bill Barber’s #7. Honored first towards the tail end of the 1985-86 season for his 13 years …
The Lost Season
Nursing the heartbreak of a Stanley-Cup caliber Flyers season that came to a screeching halt with a stupefying early playoff exit is a rare and beautiful thing. Although the Flyers have prided themselves on not shitting the bed in the postseason after being near the top of the NHL standings, it has been known to occur every once in a blue moon. Like in the early 1980′s. Tucked in between the Year of the Streak that ended in a loss to the Islanders in the Finals and the Mike Keenan-led surprise 1985 Cup finalists, was four deeply disappointing years that saw a …
Five Reasons I Love The Flyers: Flyers Goal Scored By…
1. Trent Klatt’s Breathe Rite Trent Klatt was without a doubt the best Flyer of all time. Had he not been traded to Vancouver for a conditional pick two games into the 1998-99 season he surely would have topped all of Bobby Clarke’s totals. One category that Clarke could never hope to catch Klatt in was total number of horse faces on your shoulders – 1. And when Klatt-a-tat-tat threw those little useless stickers on his face to stretch out his nostrils it looked like Seabiscuit was bearing down on you on the forecheck. You know how many defensemen in …
Five Reasons I love the Flyers: David Strehle
David Strehle covers the Philadelphia Flyers for NHL Hot Stove and he may be one of the most welcoming and easily likable people on Twitter. He is also a diehard fan of the Flyers. Below, he gives us the five reasons he loves the Flyers. 5. The fans In all sports, there are fans of teams that are described as loyal and even passionate. Philadelphia sports fans in general have a certain stigma throughout the sports world, but Philly hockey fans take the meaning of “fan” to another level. The Flyers faithful have been named the craziest in the NHL by The Hockey News, and they might just …
Five Questions: What can we expect from the Flyers this week as they return from the All-Star break?
Flyers Faithful asked Dustin Leed from The Fourth Period and The Hockey Guys, Stephen Whyno from Philly Sports Daily, David Strehle from NHL Hot Stove, and our very own Nick D 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: What can we expect from the Flyers this week as they return from the All-Star break? Dustin Leed: The Flyers kick off the unofficial part of their second half of …
Milestone Madness
It’s amazing to think the Flyers are on pace to reach 1,000 home wins in franchise history. It would have been sweet to see the Orange and Black do it this past Saturday against the rival New Jersey Devils, but Johan Hedberg and Patrik Elias had a little something to say in that regard. Anywhoo…Philly gets another crack at a grand tonight against the Montreal Canadiens, in the final meeting of a four-game regular-season series which serves as the Flyers’ final contest before the All-Star Break. Since our hockey club, which sits atop the NHL standings, is so close to this momentous occasion, it’s …
Five Reasons I Love the Flyers: Ralph Manoppello
Ralph Manoppello has been attending Flyers hockey games for over 37 years. His cousin started this crazy passion for a birthday gift against the Chicago Black Hawks. And 37 plus years later, he still bleeds Flyers orange, his kids bleed Flyers orange and his love of Flyers hockey is as strong today, as it was for a wide eyed 12-year old sitting at the glass watching Bobby Hull for the first time. Still a season ticket holder. Now hates the Crosby Penguins more than Gretzky’s Oilers. And still loves being called one of the craziest fans in the most passionate …
Five Reasons I love the Flyers: Zoo With Roy
You may know and love Zoo With Roy from his blog, I Want to go to the Zoo with Roy Halladay, which features stick figure drawing and animations — among other things — about the Philadelphia Phillies. Here, he offers the five reasons he loves the Flyers. 1. PRISM They had a network made (far as I can recall, yo) specifically for their home games and late-night boobie movies. Yes, please. 2. Sergei Bobrovsky No lie, I’m absolutely fascinated with Bob. And it’s not just the idea of an obscure kid from an awful Russian team that doesn’t speak English …
Five Reasons I Love the Flyers: Matt B
Matt B is a diehard Flyers Fan and blogger from New Jersey. He runs the funny Flyers blog, Down Goes Spezza. He can also spews his comedic talents on Twitter as well. He has provided us with his five reasons he loves the Flyers. 1. The Legion of Doom I’m turning 22 during the first week of the 2010-2011 campaign making me far too young to remember the days of the original Broad St. Bullies, but I grew up with these guys. My first memories as a kid of hockey involved watching the Legion of Doom destroy everything during the …