The Official Thread of the Philadelphia Flyers (Established 2005)

[Sully]

Wow, huge win tonight fellas. After Forsberg failed on his penalty shot attempt with 4 minutes left, I thought it was over. However, he was able to net the tying goal with 49 seconds left, and Pitkanen wins it in OT on a delayed penalty call. Great comeback.


Oh yeah, Jeff Carter scored his first career NHL goal.

[cable guy]

Quote: Originally Posted by Sully

Wow, huge win tonight fellas. After Forsberg failed on his penalty shot attempt with 4 minutes left, I thought it was over. However, he was able to net the tying goal with 49 seconds left, and Pitkanen wins it in OT on a delayed penalty call. Great comeback. Oh yeah, Jeff Carter scored his first career NHL goal.

What??

What!!!

The Flyers won?

[cable guy]

i just had to go on espn to see the score for myself. .

I had to turn the game off, with about a minute left, to put on ice age for my 2 year old. I believe they had just pulled Esche, but I think there was a stoppage.

I was coming on here to ask if we should worry yet. but that is a topic for another day.

[JJLinn]

Forsberg looked amazing last night. So many crazy passes and finally a goal. Nice comeback win.

[Skerik]

Good W last night, after not playing very well in the first two periods. Three observations:

1) The Flyers do the same thing on every single power play. They start out at the point, pass the puck down low to the side of the goal, and try to work the puck towards the front of the net from there. Every single time. Yet other teams employ the (successful) strategy of screening in front, throwing shots on the net, and looking for tips and rebounds. We need to do more of that, especially since teams can't effectively clear the front of the net in the new NHL. But one problem with that plan is that our defensemen aren't good at threading shots through from the point. Florida blocked a lot of shots last night.

2) The passive box is killing us on the penalty kill. Last night Florida was much more aggressive at pressuring the puckcarrier while killing penalties, which is definitely the way to kill penalties in the new NHL. With the extra 4' in the offensive zone, teams are eating the passive box alive.

3) Esche gives up way too many rebounds.

[Chrono]

Quote: Originally Posted by Skerik

Good W last night, after not playing very well in the first two periods. Three observations: 1) The Flyers do the same thing on every single power play. They start out at the point, pass the puck down low to the side of the goal, and try to work the puck towards the front of the net from there. Every single time. Yet other teams employ the (successful) strategy of screening in front, throwing shots on the net, and looking for tips and rebounds. We need to do more of that, especially since teams can't effectively clear the front of the net in the new NHL. But one problem with that plan is that our defensemen aren't good at threading shots through from the point. Florida blocked a lot of shots last night. 2) The passive box is killing us on the penalty kill. Last night Florida was much more aggressive at pressuring the puckcarrier while killing penalties, which is definitely the way to kill penalties in the new NHL. With the extra 4' in the offensive zone, teams are eating the passive box alive. 3) Esche gives up way too many rebounds.

I certainly agree with all of your points. Hitch really has to change up the penalty kill philosophy NOW... that damn passive box has been our undoing, and doesn't seem to work in the "new NHL". And as for Esche and his rebounds... i've seen goalies in my rec league that deflect rebounds into the corners better then him right now!

All that being said, i'm not the least bit worried. It's still October, and it will take a LOT more then 8 games for all the new players we have to gel. Plus Esche basically took last year off, so we should give him some time to see if he can regain his form from the '03-'04 season. So far, i'm loving the Forsberg/Gagne connection... and Pitkanen is looking REALLY good. I love Richards hustle, but it's often tough for a rookie to keep it up for an entire season. I'm due for a new Flyers jersey, and i'm actually bouncing back and forth between Pitkanen and Richards.

Lastly, i'm sooooo pissed that I had to miss that game last night! We've had so much rain here, i'm stuck finishing up all my softball leagues in 40 degree weather. I had to give my tickets to my mother in law last night... I hope she stayed for the whole game at least.

[Sully]

Quote: Originally Posted by Chrono

I certainly agree with all of your points. Hitch really has to change up the penalty kill philosophy NOW... that damn passive box has been our undoing, and doesn't seem to work in the "new NHL". And as for Esche and his rebounds... i've seen goalies in my rec league that deflect rebounds into the corners better then him right now! All that being said, i'm not the least bit worried. It's still October, and it will take a LOT more then 8 games for all the new players we have to gel. Plus Esche basically took last year off, so we should give him some time to see if he can regain his form from the '03-'04 season. So far, i'm loving the Forsberg/Gagne connection... and Pitkanen is looking REALLY good. I love Richards hustle, but it's often tough for a rookie to keep it up for an entire season. I'm due for a new Flyers jersey, and i'm actually bouncing back and forth between Pitkanen and Richards. Lastly, i'm sooooo pissed that I had to miss that game last night! We've had so much rain here, i'm stuck finishing up all my softball leagues in 40 degree weather. I had to give my tickets to my mother in law last night... I hope she stayed for the whole game at least.

I wasn't able to make it to the game last night either. I ended up giving the tickets to my brother. However, I'll definitely be there next Thursday. It should be an easy win over the Caps, but who knows.

Pitkanen is gaining more confidence with each game played. With the new rules, carrying the puck through the neutral zone is much easier, and I think he's starting to realize that. He has the potential to be something special. As for Richards, I can't recall the last time a Flyers rookie has played with so much poise. It's obvious he has earned the trust of Hitch, as we've seen Richards on the Power Play and Penalty Kill.

As for the jersey, I picked up a Pitkanen jersey two years ago, and a Richards jersey on opening night. You can't go wrong with either one. They should be wearing the Orange and Black sweater for years to come.

[JJLinn]

Props to Joni for keeping control of that puck and scoring. I knew I forgot something in my last post.

[daflyboys]

If anyone wants to see the last 2 goals, I have a vid file about 13 mbs. Hit me up on AIM: daflyboys2k3

[Sully]

Quote: Originally Posted by daflyboys

If anyone wants to see the last 2 goals, I have a vid file about 13 mbs. Hit me up on AIM: daflyboys2k3

The last two goals in the Flyers/Panthers game? You can also see them at www.philadelphiaflyers.com.

I was watching the highlights earlier.