SBNation.com User Blog: adam.pfeifer.50

BSH Audition 3: Flyers Fist Pump, Uppercut Past Hurricanes

adam.pfeifer.50 — Sun, 10 Feb 2013 03:14:02 -0000

The east coast saw a huge snowstorm. South Philadelphia, for instance, saw both snow and a Hurricane.

Come again?

As I have said before, shootouts stink. The Philadelphia Flyers realize that, so they did everything in their power to make sure they didn't have to participate in another one.

They succeeded.

Saturday's game was a matinee one. It was a one o'clock puck drop which can only mean one thing.

Slow starts.

The tradition held true, as the Carolina Hurricanes lit the lamp just 17 seconds into the contest on a tally from Jiri Tlusty. The Wells Fargo Center echoed a collective groan. I'm sure many had thoughts that it would be a very long and painful afternoon of hockey. However, later on in the first period, the Flyers responded. Kimmo Timonen threw a shot in front where Brayden Schenn got a stick on the puck, redirecting it right past goaltender Cam Ward. It was a Schenn-Sational goal, if I may add. Please, please, hold the applause. I'll be here all week.

Unlike the first period, the second chapter saw the Flyers strike first. Carolina attempted to clear the puck when it hit off the back of Mike Knuble's skate. Matt Read jumped on the loose puck and sniped it top shelf to take a 2-1 lead, followed by his uppercut celebration. Read is the Flyers leading point scorer with five goals and four assists. All five of his tallies have been against Southeast opponents.

Jeff Skinner answered back with a goal of his own later on in the period, somehow squeezing it in past Ilya Bryzgalov's short side. However, Carolina hardly had time to celebrate, as Braydon Schenn threw a puck across the crease that was tipped in by Jakub Voracek just 15 seconds later. The second period ended with Philadelphia leading 3-2.

Carolina completely set the ton in period three. The Flyers looked tired, lost and less aggressive, resulting in a goal from Joe Corvo about eight minutes into the period. The shot was placed in traffic and deflected off defenseman Kurtis Foster.

Tie game.

It would stay tied all the way to overtime, where a familiar site praised the Flyer faithful. Danny Briere netted the game-winning goal, solidifying a successful four-game homestand in which the Flyers recorded seven out of eight possible points.

Fist pump for the win.

The victory came at a good time, as the Flyers prepare to hit the road for a six-game trip.

The east coast saw a huge snowstorm. South Philadelphia, for instance, saw both snow and a Hurricane.

Come again?

As I have said before, shootouts stink. The Philadelphia Flyers realize that, so they did everything in their power to make sure they didn't have to participate in another one.

They succeeded.

Saturday's game was a matinee one. It was a one o'clock puck drop which can only mean one thing.

Slow starts.

Tie game.

Fist pump for the win.

The victory came at a good time, as the Flyers prepare to hit the road for a six-game trip.

BSH Audition (2): Defense, Sestito, Spark Victory Over Lightning

adam.pfeifer.50 — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 05:03:37 -0000

Tom Sestito scored two goals on Tuesday night. Tom Sestito scored two goals on Tuesday night. Tom Sestito ... ahh nevermind.

No matter how many times I say it (or write it), the thought of Sestito actually being the main source of offense for the Philadelphia Flyers seems impossible.

But it isn't. And it happened.

The Flyers recorded their second straight win on Tuesday night, defeating the Tampa Bay Lightning by a score of 2-1. In case you fell asleep for the beginning of this article, Sestito scored twice, both of which coming off one-on-one scoring opportunities against opposing goaltender Anders Lindback. And both times, Sestito went backhand, then a forehand shot right between the legs of Lindback. Okay, you can stop laughing now because I assure you this is not a joke.

As for the team in general, it was one of their better performances of the season. I mean, the Lightning came into this contest averaging 4.9 goals per game (league high) and the Flyers held them to just one. Ilya Bryzgalov was sensational yet again, continuing to prove that he deserves to be mayor of this city. Just give him the keys and the city shall be named "Ilyadelphia."

Yeah, I like it.

The defense was absolutely sensational. Players were risking their bodies to block shots, the puck was taken better care of in their own zone and the penalty kill was once again something to smile about for the second straight game. Despite taking four penalties, Philadelphia killed them all off. That is quite the accomplishment when facing against an offense as high powered and potent as the Lightning. Offensively, the Flyers finished the game outshooting Tampa by a slim margin (24-22). When they weren't shooting, they were forechecking in a way I haven't seen them forecheck all season and it worked. Philadelphia pressured the opposing puck carrier all night long, pestering them the entire shift.

Zac Rinaldo got into a fight in this game. Shocked, right? But did I mention he practically knocked B.J. Crombeen back into the fourth grade? I mean, it honestly looked as if Crombeen literally did not know where he was or how he got there. Still, let's of course hope that he is alright.

It was a complete 180 compared to the prior meeting back on January 27th, where Philadelphia lost 5-1. Instead, the Flyers were the aggressor and obviously they had their rock between the pipes, whereas Michael Leighton got the nod during the first meeting. It's safe to say that he was a bit rusty. The Flyers also got back to the physical style of hockey we all have grown to know and love and really fed off of that home crowd.

They will get two more opportunities during this four-game homestand. Next up, a visit from the Florida Panthers, a club the Flyers defeated 7-1 earlier in the year. Sestito will surely get his hat trick in this contest.

Right?

Tom Sestito scored two goals on Tuesday night. Tom Sestito scored two goals on Tuesday night. Tom Sestito ... ahh nevermind.

No matter how many times I say it (or write it), the thought of Sestito actually being the main source of offense for the Philadelphia Flyers seems impossible.

But it isn't. And it happened.

Yeah, I like it.

Right?

BSH Audition: Flyers/Hurricanes Review

adam.pfeifer.50 — Mon, 04 Feb 2013 20:55:06 -0000

What was once a curse, turned out to be a savior.

The Philadelphia Flyers finally returned to their winning (and scoring) ways on Saturday night, defeating the Carolina Hurricanes by a score of 5-3. At last, the offense got rolling again, thanks in part to a relieving dominance in the special teams department. Philadelphia went three for three on the power play, seeing goals from Kurtis Foster, Claude Giroux and Danny Briere. Foster's goal? You guessed it! A howitzer from the point. Goals were also scored by ageless wonder Mike Knuble (his first) and Braydon Coburn. Philadelphia entered this contest 5 for 40 on the man advantage, a rather ugly statistic.

Giroux says the power play is about being on the same page.

"The power play, sometimes it clicks and sometimes it doesn't," Giroux said. "It's just about making the right plays. When everybody on the ice knows what they're doing, it makes things easier."

Easy. Something that, despite the score, this game was not by any means. Carolina out-shot the Flyers 42 to 24 (15-3 in the 3rd), yet still managed to lose the game. Why? Well for starters, goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov continues to be the MVP for the Flyers in this young season. He stopped 39 of 42 shots fired his way and continued to look composed in the cage.

"Bryz was a really strong player for us," head coach Peter Laviolette said.

Another reason the Flyers were victorious was, of course, special teams. It has been their Achilles heal to start this season, but Philadelphia executed on Saturday night. The Flyers killed five of Carolina's six power plays, a tremendous feat considering the plethora of shots fired Bryzgalov's way. While this is certainly something the team can build off of, they must still improve in the discipline area, leading the league with minor penalties.

Also, Tye McGinn was incredibly impressive on the first line tonight. He logged over 16 minutes of ice time, kept plays alive, won puck battles and showed chemistry with Briere and Giroux. The future is bright for this 22-year old and he should continue to get the opportunity on a depleted roster.

Note: The Flyers were without a key piece in Wayne Simmonds, who was dealing with head and neck injuries after catching an elbow from John Erskine the night before. He will be suspended for three games. Meanwhile, general manager Paul Holmgren announced that Simmonds has a concussion and there is no timetable for his return. Simmonds is as tough as nails, but concussions are such a gray area in sports. If he is forced to miss an extended period of time, the Flyers will have some major shoes to fill.

In a contest where the Flyers were probably outplayed, they made the most of their opportunities and executed on special teams. It was a huge win for the Flyers and a great way to kick off their four-game home-stand. In front of the sea of orange and black in the Wells Fargo Center, the Flyers rocked Carolina like a hurricane.

Get it? Like the song? Bueller... Bueller?

What was once a curse, turned out to be a savior.

Giroux says the power play is about being on the same page.

"The power play, sometimes it clicks and sometimes it doesn't," Giroux said. "It's just about making the right plays. When everybody on the ice knows what they're doing, it makes things easier."

"Bryz was a really strong player for us," head coach Peter Laviolette said.

Get it? Like the song? Bueller... Bueller?