Monthly Archives: December 2010

December 31, 2010 · 4:46 pm

Primed for Winter Classic, Penguins Can’t Forget True Rival Flyers

With the 2011 Winter Classic at Heinz Field between the Washington Capitals and Pittsburgh Penguins less than a day away, hockey fans everywhere prepare themselves to hear the consistent over-fluffing of  stars Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin, mixed with the forced discussion of what a fierce, and mostly contrived, rivalry the two teams possess with one another.

But as the Pittsburgh Post Gazette found out, despite what the media and league try to strong-arm into the New Year’s Day game, the Penguins’ players know that their animosity with the Capitals takes a backseat to one a little more personal.

“I think Philly will always be No. 1,” said Pittsburgh defenseman Brooks Orpik. “But just from the time I’ve been here, I would say probably Washington and Detroit (are next in line).”

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December 29, 2010 · 4:44 pm

Flyers Shelley Receives Two Games for Punch on Alberts

The Flyers officially announced on Wednesday that forward Jody Shelley has received a two-game suspension for his punch to Vancouver Canucks defenseman Andrew Alberts on Tuesday.

With just over seven minutes left to play in the game with Vancouver easily leading 6-1, Shelley and Alberts came together after a whistle. With bodies between them, Shelley dropped his gloves and quickly came over the top with a sucker punch to the face of Alberts, which caused the former Flyer to hit the ground immediately.

The Philly enforcer received a game misconduct and match penalty, which is automatically reviewed by the league.

But what makes this  ruling by the NHL’s disciplinary office curious, is that an extremely similar play happened to Boston Bruins’ leading goal scorer Milan Lucic on Dec. 23, when, wrapped up by the referee, slugged the face of Freddie Meyer, earning him the same match penalty as Shelley. However, Lucic was simply fined with no suspension.

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December 29, 2010 · 3:54 pm

Timonen Injury Update

After leaving Tuesday’s 6-2 loss to the Vancouver Canucks with a concerning lower body injury, Flyers defenseman Kimmo Timonen is expected to practice with the team today in Los Angeles, according to Sam Carchidi. And if all goes well, Timonen will be available when the Flyers take on the Kings, Thursday at the Staples Center.

UPDATE: Timonen is now being held out of practice as a precaution, but is expected to be available on Thursday.

For insurance purposes, the Flyers have recalled 22-year-old Adirondack Phantoms defenseman Erik Gustafsson, who has four goals and 22 assists in 33 games for the struggling Phantoms.

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December 29, 2010 · 12:25 pm

Flyers’ Timonen Suffers Lower Body Injury vs Vancouver

(Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)

The road has suddenly gotten dark for the Philadelphia Flyers.

Midway through a 6-2 embarrassment at the hands of the Vancouver Canucks on Tuesday at Rogers Arena,  Flyers defenseman Kimmo Timonen left the contest with what is being called a lower body injury.

The severity of the injury has not yet been disclosed. However, the it’s enough to have the Flyers contemplating recalling rear guards Danny Syvret or Erik Gustafsson from the Adirondack Phantoms.

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December 28, 2010 · 3:54 pm

Flyers Look to Continue Odd Road Mastery of Canucks

Sitting second overall in the gritty Western Conference with 47 points, the Vancouver Canucks are no slouch of an opponent. But when the Flyers hit the ice tonight at 10 PM at Rogers Arena, they might just have history on their side.

Dating back to 1989, when (now general manager) Paul Holmgren was the head coach of the Flyers and the Sedin twins, Henrik and Daniel, were eight-years-old, Philadelphia hasn’t lost a game in Vancouver. The odd and probably coincidental statistic spans 10 games, the last being in Oct. 2007, which was  a memorable 8-2 Flyers victory. The contest was highlighted by a then-Flyer Jesse Boulerice cross-check to the neck of Vancouver’s Ryan Kesler, which earned the enforcer a hefty suspension.

“There’s no rhyme or reason to it,” said veteran Flyers defenseman Sean O’Donnell. “I mean, they don’t play very often.

“I think it’s meaningful when you see a stat about not having beaten a team in 10 straight, when you play each other a lot, because it’s pretty much the same personnel. But when you stretch it out over 20 years or more, it’s just a bizarre coincidence.”

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December 20, 2010 · 4:55 pm

It’s a Trap! Panthers Ready for Test vs Flyers

 

Photo by Lou Capozzola/Getty Images North America)

While the Flyers (riding a five-game winning streak that includes victories over Pittsburgh, Montreal and the New York Rangers) may view tonight’s contest at the Wells Fargo Center versus the struggling Florida Panthers as a let down or trap game, the Panthers consider facing the red-hot Flyers a test of their fortitude.

“If we’re going to be a good team, we’ve got to beat the top teams,” said Florida forward Marty Reasoner, whose squad also faces the Penguins on their road trip. “So, we have to rise to the challenge of playing in those fun buildings.”

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December 20, 2010 · 3:00 pm

PSA: Bid on Game-Worn Phantoms Jerseys

Just an FYI, the Adirondack Phantoms are holding an online Ebay auction for game-worn player jerseys. There is only one day remaining to bid, so act fast. Players include Eric Wellwood, Zac Rinaldo, Kevin Marshall, among others.

The team may have seen better days but the sweaters aren’t bad looking.

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December 18, 2010 · 4:20 pm

Rangers’ forward Dale Weise has a FAIL moment

It’s just not Dale Weise’s day.

Seconds after the New York Ranger forward’s first NHL goal was disallowed due to “a distinct kicking motion,” CSN cameras caught him taking a Gatorade bath, versus the Flyers on Saturday afternoon at the Wells Fargo Center. Video here.

Courtesy of Matt P from 700level.com

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December 17, 2010 · 1:38 pm

Broken foot sidelines Flyers D-Pronger 4-6 weeks.

Impressive so far, now lets see if the Flyers can handle a little adversity.

After consulting a foot specialist, the Flyers officially announced on Friday that defenseman Chris Pronger has a broken first metatarsal in his right foot and will require surgery. The veteran and keystone of Philadelphia’s blue line will miss 4-6 weeks, or as Sam Carchidi of the Inquirer added up, 11-17 games. Pronger, who has four goals and 11 assists in 31 games, should be available to return by Feb. 1.

Pronger, 36, injured his foot in Philadelphia’s 5-3 win over the Montreal Canadiens on Wednesday.

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December 13, 2010 · 11:21 pm

Hip Check: Walker to miss six more with another surgery

Poor Matt Walker.

Nearly two months since having surgery to repair a torn labrum in his right hip, the Flyers defenseman now needs left hip surgery and is expected to miss a minimum of six weeks.

Walker, 30, was participating in a conditioning stint with the Adirondack Phantoms on Sunday before the Flyers, on Monday, unexpectedly placed the seven-year veteran on injured reserve.

Acquired in the trade that sent forward Simon Gagne to the Tampa Bay Lightning, Walker, who hurt his hip in the preseason and underwent surgery on Oct. 20, has yet to play a game with the Flyers.

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