Wednesday, January 26, 2011

A Goalie's Life

The NHL All-Star break is upon us, and look who's on top of the standings? The Philadelphia Flyers. I can't remember the last time the Flyers where at the top of the East for this long, let alone a top the NHL. It's pretty amazing how well this team has been playing.

But this entry is not how well the Flyers are playing, because there's plenty of articles that beat me too it and I don't want to beat a dead horse. I'm more interested in the goalies this year. I find it amazing, how goalies of last year who've not been good, have been great, and last year's top goalies are not living up to their level of play this year.

First, we'll take a loot at, of course the Flyers. #33 and #35. Notice there isn't a #49 there. We'll get to that in a second. But Sergie Bobrovsky and Brian Boucher are playing so well right now. Bobrovsky, or Bobs as we now know him in Philly, came out of no where in training camp. His intense preparation before each game has got not only fans turning heads, but teammates alike too. He's a rookie, and yes, he still has flaws, but you wouldn't know this is first year in the NHL, IN NORTH AMERICAN Hockey if you saw him play. This kid has been linked to a name, we all cherish in Philly, Pelle Lindbergh, and we all know how great that young goalie was before his untimely death. Bobs can only get better in time, that's scary, he already has 21 wins this season, launching him into 4th (I believe, under Hexy, Lindbergh, and Parent) in wins as a rookie goaltender.

Let's not forget about Brian Boucher neither. This guy deserves a ton of credit, Boucher, in his third tour in Philly (second tour was with the Phantoms in 2007), is playing damn good goaltending. Remember when how he was awesome in his rookie season, and then just became sub-par in the following two seasons? He was traded away to Phoinex for some guy named Robert Esche? Yea, well I think Boosh's rookie spirit has came back, because after being shaky all last year, he's been rock solid. I mean, this guy is a vetern goalie, who's been around. He played with 4 other teams; Phoenix, Chicago, Calgary, Columbus, and San Jose, before resigning with the Flyers last year, as Ray Emory's back up (then Michael Leighton's back up and well we know how that story went). This year is a different year as he's played equally as well with the young Russian, Bobs. With 20 games played, he has a 11-6 record, with a .916 save percentage, and a 2.14 Goals Aganst Average.

Elsewhere around the NHL, we have saw some surprises thus far in the season. What stands out in my mind the most is how the playoff teams from last year have changed. Montreal, Philadelphia, Boston, San Jose, Chicago, and Nashville. Montreal was praising Jaroslav Halak, his skills were superb. Sending the top seed in the East home after the first round, defeating Mark Andre Fluery and the Pittsburgh Penguins. Then Philadelphia finally solved Halak, ending the Habs dreams of a Stanley Cup Final appearance. In the offseason, the St. Louis Blues inquired about Halak and in the end, he was sent to St. Louis, causing a huge stir around the NHL. This season, Carey Price is manning the pipes very well (remember how he was always questioned just a couple years earlier?) in Montreal, and Halak is doing just the opposite in St. Louis, where he's playing not nearly as well as he was last year. In fact, Halak, was suppose to be a huge part of the St. Louis Blues' team, bringing in a solid proven goalie to help a young team on their upside. So far, with a 17-16-5 record with a .905 SV% and 2.64 GAA, a lot of Blues fans are hoping he'll improve. These are not horrible stats, but considering how well he played last year, we all expected better. Despite these medicore numbers, Halak does have 4 shutouts this year.

In Boston, the Big Bad Bruins still have their same goalie tandem, except surprisingly the "old man" Tim Thomas (I say that very sarcastically) is playing out of his mind! A lot of us thought that Tuukka Rask was going to be the go to guy in Bean Town. Much like the Flyers this year with Bobvorsky, and along with Chicago last year with Antti Neimi, Rask came out of no where last season took the reigns from Thomas and led the Bruins into game 7 of the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals. This year Thomas was strong in training camp and took the #1 job back, with Rask backing him up. Thomas is heading to the All-Star game with a 24-5-6 record with 7 shutouts! Along with a 1.81 GAA, and .945 SV%. Wow! He's truly a well deserved All-Star.

Chicago had the great Antti Neimi in net during their Stanley Cup winning season. Neimi really sprung on late, and turned heads to anyone who payed attention to his play. What's even more crazy is despite backstopping the Blackhawks to their first Stanley Cup win since 1961, Neimi was allowed to walk as a free agent! Chicago was Cap strapped and they simply couldn't afford Neimi's aberration, he was asking for 2 million, they said nope. Instead Chicago is relying on another rookie this season, in Corey Crawford, who has a respectable record that includes 2 shutouts, Marty Turco also signed on to complete the 1-2 punch in the Chicago net. Neimi was left out of a starting role because of this, and it took a while for him to get nabbed up, eventually signing with the San Jose Sharks. The Sharks wanted to go with a cheaper and younger route in net, also signing former Flyer & Olympic MVP Antero Niittymaki. Niitty was signed first, and with Niitty and Neimi in replacement of longtime San Jose netminder Evgeni Nabokov (more on him later).

In Dallas after the Stars let go of Turco they traded for another Finnish goalie (keeping pace with San Jose's Finnish tandem) Kari Lehtonen, of the Atlanta Thrashers. On a side note, kinda funny how Lehtonen and Niittymaki follow similiar paths with each other. Back to the subject, Kari will have better success in Dallas than Atlanta, backed by a solid, proven hockey organization, and playoff contender, he'll see better days for sure. Atlanta is now going with sophmore goalie, Ondrej Pavelec, who seems to be much improved thus far into the season than last year. Atlanta also signed Chris Mason as their back up, who last year was the #1 goalie in St. Louis.

In the Nation's capital, Washington D.C., we have yet another rookie playing some good hockey, Michal Neuvirth from the Czech Republic. He came up and looks like he's taken the reigns from Varlamov. Neuvirth is in his first full season with the Caps, he did play a handful of games last year, I believe it was when Jose Theodore was injured (who's now playing in Minnesota). Just think 3 or 4 years ago, they still had Olaf Kolzig, an old goat who stuck around a bit too long, but was well respected in DC. Now Washington's net looks fresh and bright for the future as they got two solid young goalies, both only 22 years old.

Another big moment among goalies this year, is Marty Brodour. He's played very subpar this year, as has the whole team, but Brodour who has been dubbed "the best goalie ever to step foot on NHL Ice" ( I disagree) playing subpar? Who the thunk it. I think Marty is just showing his age and after all those seasons being a tank, playing in and around 70 games a year, it's finally taking it's tole. With a .895 SV% and 2.84 GAA, that's hardly the Marty Brodour we know of. He should retire soon, don't want be the Brett Farve of hockey, I mean be the new Chris Chelios. Brodour is still playing the majority of the games, while Johan Hedburg is picking up some games also. One's gotta think, doesn't Jersey have a young goaltender waiting in the wings "on the farm" in Albany? There are a few canadates out there, that providing the right time, those include Rask, and Michael Leighton, both proven goaltenders. Both don't want to be the #2 when they are proven #1 goalies. But those are just 2 far fetched ideas.

Speaking of Michael Leighton , we'll come full circle, with the Flyers to end this blog entry. Isn't it funny? the 2 top goalies of the NHL Playoffs last year, are out of the #1 job and not in the city they back stopped to the Cup Final? Leighton goes from hero to zero, his cinderella story ended in Philly, and is now playing with Adirondack Phantoms (Flyers AHL Farm team) as there is simply no room for him up in the big club. Well let's back track here a bit, Flyers started of with Ray Emory, and Brian Boucher, Emory goes down, Boosh backstops the team, but then HE goes down with an injury. Now the back up of Boucher, Johan Backlund is the only guy left, here enters Michael Leighton, as the Flyers claim him off the waivers from Carolina. Leights plays damn well, including in the Winter Classic, Ray Emory returns briefly but ends up having a possible career ending injury to his leg. Boucher returns, and Leights is the Flyers #1 goalie up until he gets hurt the last month or so of the regular season. Boucher leads the team up until Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals when he gets re-injured, Leights comes in back and stops the Flyers to Game 6 of the SCF. He had 3 shutouts in the Boston Series, and was arguably the best goalie in the playoffs. After the season, the Flyers sign him to a 2 year deal, with a nice pay raise. Then he goes off and tells the team he needs surgery for that back, that doesn't sit well with Ed Snider and Homer, I'm sure. Boosh and Bobs are playing too well for Leights to even have a shot at regaining his reigns in net. Once he hits reentry waivers, he's all but gone.

Let's just say if the NY Islanders nabbed him, heaven forbid he reports to them and doesn't go the Nabokov route, refusing to report to the team (because him and Detroit where going to agree to terms, with Detroit needing a solid back up for young Jimmy Howard since Chris Osgood is out for surgery). The Isles need a goalie as Rick Dipietro is, yet again, out with an injury.

So there ya have it the crazy, wacky, goalie circus that took place in the beginning of the season and now is in affect. So if you kept up with me you'll know about half the teams in the league have had no changes, at least not big enough to note about, and the other half had some notable changes. Whatever you do...don't take your eye off that #35 in the Orange & Black, you may miss something!

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Hey Philly...maybe you forgot?

Since the Eagles season ended 2 weeks ago, a lot of Philly fans are skipping right over the Flyers. "Oh, I can't wait til March;' "Pitchers and Catchers report in 3 weeks." I'm anxious to see the Phillies again my self, BUT a lot of Philly fans are seemingly skipping right over the Flyers. Who I might add, is atop the Eastern Conference, and leading the Atlantic Division with 3 games in hand to the Pittsburgh Penguins.

The Philadelphia Flyers have been one of the top teams since their installment in 1967 and one of the most consistent of the big 4 in Philly. But despite being one of the most consistent Philly sports teams they still get shunned away and over looked. Then again, most of hockey does, until playoff times.

Maybe I shouldn't be worried about it, hey no bandwagon fans right? I mean the Phillies have never been THIS popular up until their World Series win in 2008. Let's take a look at some stats and we'll evaluate this a bit further.

Philadelphia Phillies
The Phillies have, for the better part of their existence been the red-headed stepchild of the MLB, often considered the "laughing stock" of Major League Baseball (I know we are all thankful that, that has changed in the last 4 to 5 years). But did you know Philadelphia had 2 MLB Teams up until 1955? The Phillies in the National League, and the Athletics (est. 1901) in the American League until 1955.

The Athletics where Philadelphia's most successful franchise to date. Having 2 dynastys in their span in Philly. The A’s s where one of the dominant teams out of the American League, winning the A.L. pennant nine times (1902, 1905, 1910, 1911, 1913 and 1914, 1929-1931), and winning the World Series in 1910, 1911 and 1913, 1929, and 1930). Obviously you see two different eras of dominance. They also won over 100 games in 1910 and 1911, 99 games in 1914, and 107 games in 1931. After their last World Series win in 1931, the team went from dominant, mediocre, to bottom feeder and later relocated to Kansas City in 1955, (after a few more relocations they set tent up in Oakland, where the team plays today.)

Back to the Phillies now, they have been in existence since 1883 (originally known as the Quakers). Making them the first athletic child of the city of brotherly love. They have 2 World Series Championships, 7 N.L. Pennants, and 10 Division Titles. But, it wasn't until around the early to mid 1940s that Philly showed that love as most of it went to the Athletics, even though the Athletics where just as bad if not worse then the Phillies. The Phillies where a decent team in the late 1800s, but failed to make it to the playoffs. The Athletics took their wind of the Phillies sails even more when Connie Mack, Nap Lajoie and Elmer Flick jumped to the A's. Then the loss of, big time star, Ed Delahanty, to another American League team resulted in the Phillies being bottom feeders of the league, and wouldn't contend for a playoff spot until the 1913, which would be the closest the 2 Philly ball teams would come to playing each other in the World Series.

After finishing 2nd to the New York Giants, and falling to 6th in the league in 1914, the Phillies came back in 1915 going to the World Series for the first time (Lost to the Boston Red Sox in 5 games).

After being purchased by a new owner (William Cox) in 148, a spark in attendance occoured over the next few years. The Phillies would return back to the Postseason in 1950, and facing the New York Yankees in the World Series. The Phillies were swept in 4 games.

The Phillies sunk back down into the bottom of the league until the 1970s where they made the postseason 3 consecutive years (1976 to 1978) but lost in the NL Championship Series all 3 times before going all the way and winning their first World Series in 1980. The team would then return to the playoffs in 1981, facing the Montreal Expos in the NL Divisional Series, loosing 3-1. They would again return to the World Series 2 years later, in 1983, but lost to the Baltimore Orioles 4-1. 10 years pass before the Phillies would have a taste at a playoff game again, this time it was 1993, going to the World Series loosing to the Toronto Blue Jays. Fast forward to the present day, and since 2003 the Phils have arguably enjoyed the best success in team history, including 4 straight NL Division Titles, 3 straight NLDS series wins, and 2 World Series appearances in 3 years.

# of Seasons Active: 177 Playoff Appearances: 13 Division Titles: 10 NL Pennants: 7 World Series Wins: 2

sources:Philles.com,PhiladelphiaAthletics.org

Philadelphia Eagles

Established in 1933, the Birds came to town when the Frankford Yellow Jackets went bankrupt in 1931. The Eagles joined the NFL with the Pittsburgh Stealers and Cleavland Reds (folded) as expansion teams. The Eagles played in 3 different stadiums in the span of less than 10 years, Baker Bowl (1933-1935), Municipal Stadium (1936-1939; 1941), Shibe Park/Connie Mack Stadium (1940;1942-1957) and struggled to fill the seats (often being 5 to 10,000 short of capacity at Shibe Park).

The Eagles struggled in the first decade as a franchise in the NFL having consecutive loosing seasons through the 30's and early 40's. World War II made things worse and led to the Eagles and Steelers merging for the 1943 season. Both teams had incomplete rosters and merged into one team, forming the "Phil-Pitt Eagles," the team was renamed the "Steagles." The renamed team only lasted one year (and was never meant to be permanent), and at the end of the season, the teams went back to their familiar names, Eagles, and Steelers.

Times changed in the mid 40's when the team started to become more successful, starting with a 7-1-2 record after the team Philly/Pitts. merger. They earned a trip to 3 consecutive NFL Championship games, 2 of which they won in 1948, and 1949. In 1948 the Eagles beat the Chicago Cardinals in the blizzard (see Philly the Eagles CAN PLAY AND WIN in a blizzard!), 7-0. In 1949 they faced the Los Angeles Rams beating them 14-0, these tw0 shutouts make the Eagles as the only NFL team ever to win back-to-back championships with a shutout.

The Eagles will go on to win the last NFL Championship game in 1960, this would also be their League championship. This win is considered an epic win as the 1960 Eagles where the only team to beat coach Vince Lombardi & his Green Bay Packers in the playoffs. This also would prove big as this was the Eagles last playoff appearance for almost 2 decades (18 years) until they returned to the playoffs in 1978 but lost to the Atlanta Falcons 14-13.

They would appear in the playoffs 3x in a row after 1978, which included a trip to Superbowl XV. The Eagles faced the Oakland Raiders in New Orleans, and went in as the team to beat, but Oakland won the game with a score of 27-10.

After the 1981 playoffs the Eagles didn't see the playoffs again until 1988 and earned a trip to the playoffs for 3 consecutive years. All resulted in an early exit in the first round. They would miss the playoffs in 1991, before coming back in 1992, 1995, and 1996.

The Eagles have had arguably the best teams in team history in the new millennium. Earning postseason trips 10 out of 11 seasons, including a team high 5 consecutive years (2000-2004). After 3 seasons of being 1 game shy of advancing to the big game, they earned their second Superbowl berth in 2004 (Superbowl XXXIX) facing the New England Patriots. The Eagles would lose the game by 3 points (24-21), and once again Philly is snubbed of a Super Bowl Championship. After Superbowl XXXIX, fans would see the Eagles place a playoff berth 4 out of 6 seasons, but the Eagles would only get as high as the Conference Finals (2008).

# of Seasons active: 77: NFL Championships: 3 Playoff Appearances: 23
Division Championships: 11 Conference Championships: 3 Title Game Appearances (NFL Championship Game + Superbowl : 5)

sources: Sports Encyclopedia-Eagles

Philadelphia Flyers

The Flyers are Philly's 2nd NHL team. The first team NHL team to play in Philly where the Quakers, but they only lasted 1 year with a 4-36-4 record. The team was disbanded at the end of the season, although talks where in place to bring them
back to Pittsburgh, the team never played again.

The Flyers came along in the 1967 NHL Expansion draft along with 5 other teams (St. Louis Blues, Pittsburgh Penguins, Oakland Seals, L.A. Kings, Minnesota North Stars) to boost the NHL to a 12 team league.

S
ide note: Oakland was relocated to Cleavland in '76, eventually merged with the North Stars in '78. A final move of the franchise was later created when the North Stars moved south to Dallas, TX, becoming the Dallas Stars in 1993).

The Flyers were an immediate success in the NHL, they won their with a record of 31-32-11 in their first season. With top players selected in the expansion draft and a purchasing of the Quebec Aces, as the Flyers minor league affilite, they had a young talented team. This included the likes of Bernie Parent, Doug Favell, Ed Van Impe, Joe Watson, Lou Angotti, Gary Dornhoefer. They won the division (West aka the expansion division) at 73 points making it to the playoffs in their first season. Unfortunately they were ousted in the first round by the St. Louis Blues in 5 games (4-1).

After the inaugural season, Lou Angotti left the team, and Ed Van Impe was replaced as captain of the Flyers. The Flyers would make the payoffs again in their second year, finishing 3rd in the division but where again defeated by the Blues, this time in 4 games. The Flyers would fail to make the playoffs the following year finishing 5th in the division. Ed Snider was tired of team being out-toughed, and after the 1969 season, he would begin to create something that Philly fans loved and opposing teams feared.

Snider wanted the team to become tougher. The team began to acquire tough skillful players, first taking a chance on drafting a 19 year old kid from Flin-Flon, Mantobia named Bobby Clarke (17th overall), and also drafting Dave Shultz (52nd overall). Later the team drafted tough guys like Bob "The Hound" Kelly, Don "Big and Bird" Salaski. Along with the Flyers other tough skilled players, like Watson, Dornhoefer, Bill Clement and with the scoring touches of Clarke, Bill Barber, and Reggie Leach
became the Broadstreet Bullies.

This style of rough and tough antics became a strong point for the Flyers, they put fear into their opponents with fighting and intimidation. This turned into success on and off the ice, Philly embraced the Flyers new style and the team themselves saw new success as a young team. In 1973-1974 season they proved that, as they became the first expansion team to beat an Original 6 team (NY Rangers) in a playoff series. After going all 7 games, and winning game 7 the Flyers earned their first berth to the Stanley Cup Final, facing the Bobby Orr and the Boston Bruins. 6 Games later Philly had their first Stanley Cup. A year later the Flyers would repeat as Cup Champions beating the Buffalo Sabers 4-2.

The team would go back to the Final in 1976, but where swept in 4 games by the Montreal Canadiens. The team would make it to the playoffs 13 straight seasons, appearing in the Stanley Cup Final of 1981, 1985, and 1987.

The roughest times of the team where after the 1986-1987, where they missed the playoffs 6 straight seasons. They finished 5th or last (6th) in those 6 years. The team would come out of their "dark ages" and return to the Conference Finals in 1995, loosing out to the eventual Stanley Cup Champions, the New Jersey Devils, in 6 games.

They would go back to the Cup Finals in 1997, but where swept in 4 games by the Detroit Red Wings. The Flyers would not miss the playoffs again (excluding the 2004-2005 lockout) until the dismal 2006-2007 season.

The team rebounded the very next year, with coaching and managerial coaching as well as several key trades, they made it all the way to the Conference Finals loosing to Pittsburgh 4-1. As new GM Paul Holmgren continued to make several trades and acquisitions, as well as our young top talent grooming into being on the roster, the Flyers started to become a serious contender for years to come. From the magical run to the Cup Final in 2010, to the dominance fans have seen thus far in the 2010-2011 season.

# Of Seasons Active: 44 Championships won: 2 Playoff Appearances: 35 Division Championships: 15 Conference Championships: 8

sources: FlyersHistory Flyers-Official

So as you can see the Flyers have been the more dominant team in Philly over the course of their existance, representing Philly's true work ethic, hard working, and blue collar. You may go as far in saying, they helped establish the blue collar work ethic for all the major sports in Philly. The top 3 Philly teams are doing great, we are probably the second best (first in fan passion) sports city in the USA, 2nd to only Boston. So do me a favor, take a look at this team, we are witnessing something great here on the ice in Philly, so respect them also.

Saturday, January 8, 2011

The Best Of 2010 -Philly Sports.

My belated Top Of 2010 Lists, yea I know I am ubber late, but I can't let this go. So between now and Sunday, I will be counting down my best of 2010. Starting with The Best Of Philly Sports Of 2010. PS: You will not find the 76ers on my list, sorry to disappoint.

1) Flyers come from behind victory (down 3-0 in series, and 3-0 in the game) against the Bruins, in Boston, to advance to Eastern Conference Finals (3rd team ever to ever come back from a 3-0 deficit)




2) Miracle At Meadowlands III - nuff said





3) Flyers advance to the Cup Final for their first time in over a decade (13 years)





4)Cliff Lee returns to Philly, to become the 4th Ace of the Phillies. Lee took less money from the Phillies over the Yankees. They pitching rotation is now dubbed "The Phanastic Phour"







5) Michahel Leighton becomes the first Flyers goalie to record 3 shutouts in the Stanley Cup Playoffs



Now Leighton has done something no other goaltender has done in the history of the Flyers and that's record three shutouts in a single playoff series. Not even Ron Hextall, Pelle Lindbergh, or the great Bernie Parent could accomplish that feat. When he stopped all 17 shots against the Canadiens on Saturday he became just the 13th goalie in NHL history to record three shutouts in a playoff series.
Michael Leighton Article



6) Flyers advance to the 2010 SCP with a shootout victory over the Rangers







7) Eagles crush Redskins 59-28 (multiple NFL records accomplished here)





8) Roy Halladay's No-Hitter in the MLB Playoffs




9) Shane Victorino's grand slam helps the Phils rally over (and stomp) to beat big time rivals - NewYork Mets, 11-5. (I witnessed this game)

Shane Victorino's 2 out Grand Slam

10) Vick becomes the starting QB over Kevin Kolb in Week 3 of the Eagles 2010 Season (I considered this shocking although I wanted it to happen)



Eagles coach Andy Reid stunned the Eagles' fan base and captured the nation's attention in September by deciding to stay with Vick as his permanent starting quarterback for the 2010 season after Vick stepped in for the injured Kevin Kolb and did such a spectacular job with the offense in leading the Eagles to a win over Detroit.



11) Roy Halladay signs with the Phillies




12) Philadelphia Union's first home win(s) in their inaugural season (@ The Linc vs DC United 3-2) First Win in their new home stadium (@PPL Park vs Seattle Sounders FC 3-1)