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2013 Year in Review: Zac Rinaldo

For a franchise that is known and loved for their pugilistic dominance, it’s not surprising that one of the team’s favorite players amongst the fans is a fourth-line pest that always picks on somebody bigger than him. Winning the Gene Hart Memorial Award, helping to put one of the league’s best power plays on the ice, and leaving the goal scorers in a favorable position to start their shift is a good summary of Zac Rinaldo’s season. In terms of goals and assists, Rinaldo was on a similar pace as to what he posted in 66 games for the Philadelphia …

Brayden Schenn lays a huge hit on PK Subban at the end of the 1st period.

Flyers Fight Back In The Final Five Minutes, Win 5-3 Against Montreal

For the first time in just under a year, the Philadelphia Flyers have reached a three-game win streak thanks to a 5-3 victory over the Montreal Canadiens on Wednesday night. Erik Gustafsson had the game-winner late in regulation, while Jake Voracek’s empty netter in the final minute of play sealed the deal. Alexei Emelin, Brandon Prust, and David Desharnais scored for the Canadiens, while Sean Couturier, Simon Gagne, Wayne Simmonds, Gustafsson, and Voracek handled the scoring for Philadelphia. Though Ilya Bryzgalov only faced a total of 17 Montreal shots, he allowed three goals, including one where it appeared he ducked …

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Flyers hang on for 3-2 win, end three-game losing streak

Both the Philadelphia Flyers and the Buffalo Sabres entered tonight’s game at the Wells Fargo Center on three-game losing streaks, but the hosts were able to grab a 3-2 victory to end their skid. Claude Giroux had the game-winning goal just 17 seconds into the second period and Kimmo Timonen had two helpers in the win, while Ilya Bryzgalov had 17 stops for the decision. It wasn’t the prettiest of victories, but the Flyers came out and provided enough of an effort to beat a team as desperate as them to earn points. Although it was their third game in …

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Atlantic Watch: 1/23-1/29

The Philadelphia Flyers started the week with a pair of wins, but a pair of lackadaisical efforts led to two losses where they were outscored 7-2. The Orange and Black find themselves at the bottom of the division with a trio of meetings against Southeast Division opponents over the next seven days. With a record of 0-3-0 and playing a team they went 0-6-0 against in 2011-2012, the Flyers’ 2-1 win over the visiting New York Rangers wasn’t expected on Thursday night. After a scoreless opening stanza, the tandem of Wayne Simmonds and Jakub Voracek registered their first goals of …

Team Hartnell's Justin Williams and Simon Gagne battle Team Richards' Steve Eminger and Cory Perry at Operation Hat Trick.

Players Giving The Fans What They Want

The blame game has been a big part of the current NHL lockout. Is the league at fault? The players? Both? Believe what you will, but one thing has been made certain: the players want to play. They miss the game and they know their fans miss it, too. Need proof? Consider the slew of pick-up and charity games that have been popping up recently. Spurred by a request from TSN’s Cabbie Richards, Mike Richards and Andrew Ladd organized an impromptu street hockey game in Winnipeg back on November 13 (similar to what Brandon Prust did in Montreal back in …

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A look around the Atlantic Division

By now, we know that the Flyers have “struck out” on all big free-agent items and failed to acquire Shea Weber. Right now, if you had to grade the Flyers offseason, what would you give them? Furthermore, what grade would you give the rest of the Flyers’ Atlantic Division foes? Let’s take a look at the rest of the division’s key acquisitions and losses, and where each of its member teams stand thus far through the end of free agency. New York Rangers Key Additions: F Rick Nash, Chris Kreider, Arron Asham. Key Losses: F Brandon Prust, F Brandon Dubinsky, …

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Atlantic Watch: 3/28-4/3

In their four-game schedule this week, the Flyers posted a record of 2-1-1 and picked up what might be there most intense victory of the 2011-2012 regular season with their win over the Pittsburgh Penguins on Sunday. It’s those same Pens that the Flyers trail by three points for fourth in the conference and the chance for home-ice advantage in the clubs’ first-round playoff series. The Orange and Black still have a shot for fourth, but they’ll need to beat a team fighting for their playoff lives along with the Pens this week. The Broad Street Bullies started off the week with …

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Rangers Score Four In First Period, Sweep Flyers With 5-3 Win

A four-goal first period for the New York Rangers helped them hold on for a 5-3 win over the Flyers tonight at the Wells Fargo Center. Five different players scored for New York, while Henrik Lundqvist picked up his career-best 39th win of the season — six of them coming at the expense of the Orange and Black. “The last 15 minutes of the first period wasn’t good at all,” Kimmo Timonen said. “A couple of bad breakdowns in the defensive end. The start wasn’t that bad.” Ryan McDonagh, Brian Boyle, Artem Anisimov lit the lamp in the opening 20 …

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Point/Counterpoint: The other side of Shanabanning

Welcome to the newest edition of “Point/Counterpoint,” where a pair of Flyers Faithful scribes present both sides of one particular issue with their own unique view and flair. This week, Nick D. and Bob H. square off over whether or not players who are constant victims of questionable hits should also feel the wrath of Brendan Shanahan. First up, Nick: This season has seen a marked change in how the National Hockey League deals with infractions that are deemed suspension worthy. Shanahan has been doling out suspensions in an effort to change behavior, not just discipline players for their actions. …

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Atlantic Watch: 3/14-3/20

A dominant win over the New York Islanders and a pair of comebacks helped the Flyers gain five crucial points in the standings this week, as Philly still has a slim chance to win the Eastern Conference. Unfortunately, the only game in which the Flyers didn’t earn a point may have been their most impressive performance, as they posted 23 more shots than the Panthers in their one-goal game loss last night. Three games against three clubs that are lower in the conference standings should help the Flyers a lot over the next couple days, as the Orange and Black hope to clinch a …

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