The Broad Street Rundown - 1/12/08

Doesn't it feel good to be on top right now? Wait, you don't know what I am talking about? The Flyers are solely in first place in the Atlantic. The Devils and Rangers each have been struggling the past couple games, and that's helped keep the Flyers in first. Of the top three in the Atlantic we have the best record, with a 5-2-3. Amazing how we've only lost in regulation three times from December til now.

Flyers strike back on the "Ninjury."

What is the "Ninjury" It's the "Injury Ninja." A fictional character us Flyer fans at the THE NHL ARENA came up with. He strikes injury with so much skill, and quickness, often us fans don't know a player has been injured until after the game, or day after the game. He's been steady at it since the start of the Flyers road trip, luckily, hopefully, we've seen the worst of him as no new injuries have come up, aside from Josh Gratton.

It is pleasing to the eye, to see our top guys returning from injury. Scottie Upshall is back and has been very good since his comeback. Biron is back after a strong battle with a virus that kept him out of action for the better part of two weeks. Lupul has recovered faster than Stevens and "Homer" originally thought, and is back in the line up instead of missing 4 to 6 weeks as originally thought. Vaananen is likely to comeback tonight, as well as Niitty, serving as Biron's back up. Briere is going to test his groin with the Phantoms for two games. He is the second Flyers player this year (Randy Jones was the first) to be on a conditioning assignment with the Phantoms. Hopefully management sees' this and thinks "The Phantoms should stay in, or close to Philly because of this reason."

The key thing down the stretch is to have our top guys stay healthy. Hopefully that'll stay true, these guys are our Broad Street Bullies, have to play tough and stay strong.

Phantoms & Conditioning Assignments

How cool would it be to have the Phantoms at the Wack along with the Flyers? This can be a great marketing scheme. Do some double headers on the weekends, maybe once or twice a month. Give out a discounted ticket for the double header. So instead of paying $30 and $60 for a ticket have them at $75 as a bundle to see the Phantoms and then the Flyers. Contacting Ed Snider.....

Either way I hope the Phantoms stay in Philadelphia or in my case, be relocated to Wilmington, DE. But it's something special to have your own farm team play right next door, and/or even in the same town.

Hot Streaks

While the Flyers are having a great couple months, it's not without the help from Jeff Carter, Marty Biron, and Mike Richards.

All have been on their game, as well as the rest of team. Hey even guys like Andrew Alberts has gotten a goal, finally ending his league leading scoring drought. Jeff Carter is leading the NHL with 29 goals and Mike Richards has posted a point in 10 of his last 12 games. Marty Biron has been great between the post, picking up some extra workload with Niitty being out with his groin strain. He has gone 7-1-2 in his last 10 starts with a 2.56 GAA, and a .919 sv%. He's only let 9 goals in, in his last 5 games, including no more than 2 in the last three.

Scottie Upshall has 5 points in his last 5 games, including a goal and an assist against Minnesota last Thursday. Not to mention being a physical presence each shift he takes. Speaking of that game, I have photos from that game on my photobucket.

Before I leave you, I would like to say congrats Jeff Carter for representing the Flyers in the All-Star game this year. Even though my view on the whole voting process is bias, that will be discussed at a later time.

That about does it, if you have not noticed yet, I have put up an Email Subscriber, so you can easily get my blog updates in your email! Keep a look out for more posts by me! More Philadelphia Hockey History, and as always.....Good Fight Good Night.