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Spawn of Lockout

By Jim Hasson
Posted on 09/27/2012 at 10:00 am

As the story goes, last time there was a lockout in 2004-05, ESPN, the primary carrier of NHL games at the time, panicked. The Bristol behemoth and “Worldwide Leader” suddenly had a ton of airspace to fill, and all other ” legitimate” sports were spoken for. One can only imagine the tense, sweat-soaked and empty Chinese food box laden meetings, that went on among network brass since their 12-year run of success with the sport had come to an unexpected end. I’m not sure who exactly it was, but I can imagine one underling meekly raising his hand to suggest …

Point/Counterpoint: NHL discipline

By pavialax
Posted on 05/01/2012 at 2:00 pm

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, Kim Q and Marcello De Feo square off on the topic of NHL discipline. Point By Kim Q When Colin Campbell finally stepped down as the NHL’s principal disciplinarian, many NHL fans were relieved and felt that the promise of a better system would improve the sport they love. Under Colin Campbell, supplementary discipline, at times, seemed to lack objectivity, not to mention the huge conflict of interest since his …

Gretz does the dirt to the Flyers, 30 years on

By Bob H
Posted on 12/30/2011 at 12:00 pm

After all these years, it’s still hard to believe that the Philadelphia Flyers were the team Wayne Gretzky victimized en route to yet another potentially-unbreakable NHL single-season record. I could see it against Calgary with the Battle of Alberta, and even against the lowly Canucks or Devils. But no, it had to be against the Orange and Black in a down year. But it happened, December 30, 1981. Needing five goals to reach 50 in just his 39th game, Number 99 decided to get them all in one night — and do it against one of the tougher teams in …

Z is for Zamboni

By ecnewman
Posted on 10/07/2011 at 12:00 pm

It’s that time again. Another book and another review. (taken from google images) Z is for Zamboni is written by Matt Napier and illustrated by Melanie Rose (the same team who did Hat Tricks Count). And like the first picture book I brought to you, this has the same set-up. A four-line rhyme using the letter of choice and a great illustration. Then on the sidebars of the pages is more information about the term or person described in the rhyme. Here’s a peek: L is for Lord Stanley’s Cup, every team’s true quest. Its winners hold it high and …

Christmas is coming…

By ecnewman
Posted on 09/23/2011 at 9:00 am

It’s already infiltrating stores at the mall. I am not kidding. My nephew is over two years old. I am the doting aunt and he will have the best book collection known to any kid in the free world. Because I’m his aunt. He lives with my brother and sister-in-law in Atlanta, which just lost its hockey team. The chances of him becoming a hockey player in any period of his life is slim, but I’m hopeful. Because I’m his aunt. I already have his Christmas presents bought. 2011 Christmas Present #1 (Photo from Google Images) Hat Tricks Count by …

Milestone Madness

By Bob H
Posted on 01/25/2011 at 9:00 am

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 …

New Year’s Eve: A time for getting sloshed…and watching hockey

By Bob H
Posted on 12/31/2010 at 9:00 am

No holiday sends us scrambling for some semblance of a social life like the final day of any calendar year…as if scrounging up a date, finding some friend’s house to haunt at the last minute and thinking you’re going to find a last-second hook-up before the ball drops is going to convince any one of us of our true worth. We of the faithful all know that true worth for the upcoming year is measured by whether or not your favorite hockey club wins or loses (RIP ties) on this final, final day. Whether you’re enjoying a quiet night at home, forced to turn in early because …

Remembering Pelle: An overview

By Bob H
Posted on 11/10/2010 at 8:00 am

Remembering Pelle is a five part series honoring the memory of former Flyers’ goaltender, Pelle Lindbergh, whose life was tragically cut short on November 11, 1985. A new article will run each day over the course of five days. This is part one of the series. Perhaps no other singular sports figure is so universally beloved, compared to his tenure in this city, as Pelle Lindbergh. And despite the fact that he graced us with his presence for such a brief time, his story rivals any other sports figure who remained for five times as long. It’s been more than …