Game of the Week Season 3: Minnesota Wild vs Philadelphia Flyers

Well, this week I decided to put two teams that I don't normally use in this week's Game of the Week. They don't meet each other much in the regular season, but the Wild and Flyers seem like a good match up where the Broad St. Bullies may be able to slow down the Wild's momentum in real life? Could a simulated scenario work just the same?

I was intrigued by the way Coach Boudreau would help out a team that was building something special with a bunch of key free agent signings. Did they get everything to gel?

In Philly, I don't know if they are going to say they are in a rebuilding process. They are clearly middling with an underachieving roster and a young coach that doesn't get people that excited about the process. Should the Philly community "trust the process" with the team?So, how did I do? Are you satisfied with this series? Are there two other teams that need featured in this Game of the Week series? Please tell me in the comments section below!
Do I need to use more junior teams or feature more teams from Europe? I don't quite know what you want from this series yet.

I don't think I do enough higher stakes games on the series. Perhaps I will do a Stanley Cup game between two random teams? So, make your predictions soon! What two teams will we see in the Stanley Cup finals this year? Pittsburgh versus Chicago?

Battle of Pennsylvania 2010-11: Game 2

In game two, things looked different. There was a new Penguin goaltender between the pipes and another new arena as the venue was the perpetually hostile crowd of the Wells Fargo Center (or whatever they want to call it these days). It's a quick turn around to game 2 as the painful memory of the opening day loss to the Flyers remain in the minds of the Penguins players and fans. Could they strike back in front of the Flyers fans?

Of course, this was no easy task for the Penguins who were now facing a new goalie as well as the defending Eastern Conference champions. The first period started like the first game as Danny Briere scored after the 6+ minute mark on the power play to give the Flyers a 1-0. Johnson, who had looked more confident than Penguins starter Fleury lately, had also started to provide doubts for the Penguins hopeful fans. But Kris Kunitz, not known to be as productive in a Penguins uniform, scored on the new enigmatic Russian-born Bobrovsky to tie up the game 1-1 just 5 minutes later. Penguins fans believed their team was in better shape than the first game going into 1st intermission with the tie.

In the second period, Mark Letestu (who?) the shocking Penguins rookie placeholder for the injured Jordan Staal, scored another goal to make it 3 on the year and break up the tie late. The Penguins and Flyers fans expected that at any moment the momentum could shift and we could have more fights happen than the one Rupp-Shelly dance that occurred early in the 1st period. Still, Bobrovsky was standing tall and certainly making the case that he should be the next Flyers starting goalie outright.

The 3rd period should have been the relief that the first 2 periods of tension had created. Starting with the return of the "class" that the Flyers fans have been known for, the "Crosby sucks" chant echoed through the rink showing that their seething jealousy continues to plague the fans. But it only served to be a negative motivator as Crosby put the puck in the net twice during the power plays to bring the Penguins a 4-1 lead middle way through. Matt Cooke, often villainized for the way he aggressively plays, scored a final goal at the open net to remind the Flyers fans that the Penguins weren't exactly going to hand over the Atlantic division crown without a fight.

It was a solid game for Brent Johnson and a game showing that Bobrovsky was in fact human. Game 3 is going to be back in Pittsburgh in early November.

Afterthought Note: The Flyers captain, Brad Richards, decided to give a "spirited" post-game interview (via: Broadstreetbullies)"it's tough to be playing Pittsburgh, they are going to be falling down easy". I am sure the Penguins faithful will keep this up on the bulletin board. Would you like some cheese with that whine, Mr. Richards?

[Via: Yahoo! Sports]

Battle of Pennsylvania 2010-11: Game 1

The Battle of Pennsylvania begins with a new arena to play in and a fresh new perspective on NHL hockey. Consol Energy Center has been talked about all summer long and would certainly be the underlining storyline to the game. Once the pomp and circumstance have all worn away, we would get the first true look at what the NHL season had in store.

But as I clicked on the TV reminder note to the channel once the Penguins vs. Flyers game was about to start, Versus showed the concert outside Dundas street in downtown Toronto instead of the opening night festivities in Consol. I was fuming! I patiently waited while Hedley belted out a mediocre if not downright awful tune. FSN Pittsburgh would not put up with any of this nonsense! And Versus had to verbally acknowledge that the first commercial break was spent honoring the old voice of the Penguins in the Mellon Arena, John Barbaro, who passed away this past summer.

But as the Versus network actually made it to broadcast the game, we are treated to see the Commissioner Bettman and Mario Lemieux drop the ceremonial first puck on the long red carpet. I didn't find out until later that Mario had already been out to the ice and dropped a tankard of water from the ice at Mellon Arena.

The first period was a lot of what I expected and a little less of what I wanted. Crosby and company were stiffed by a young goalie that was experiencing his first career NHL start. It was as if the Penguins couldn't hit the broad side of a barn with the puck. The Flyers had some great chances as well, but were countered by some better Penguins defensive zone action. It was a feeling out period that neither team got the upper hand or a score on the board. 0-0 to the 1st intermission.

By the second period, I wondered who would finally get the first goal scored in the new arena. Every second that ticked away, it had become a smörgåsbord of trivia. It wasn't much longer of a wait as Danny Briere answered the call to fulfill history. His goal at 2:51 in the period became the first goal scored on the new Consol Energy Center ice. Penguins fans collectively hung their head as they all knew that the "classy" fans of Philadelphia will never ever live this one down. Then things got even more complicated as Blair Betts was credited with a second goal near at the end of the period to give the Flyers a 2-0 lead going in to the 2nd intermission.

The 3rd period must have seen a Penguins team that might not have even been ready to play. :44 seconds in to the 3rd saw Tyler Kennedy finally solve the rookie goaltender Bobrovsky. It seemed to bring out some life in the Penguins who realized that dropping the first game in the new building would not be all that great. But the Flyers once again made Fleury look stupid and tossed in a shorthanded goal 4 minutes later. My heart demanded a trade for Fleury as soon as the game ended. Inexcusable. The Penguins decide too little too late to stage a comeback and score again before the powerplay was over. Alex Goligoski got the puck through with one final second to spare on the PP.

So as the final horn rang through the hope of winning the first game at the new Arena was dashed at the marvelous play by Bobrovsky. Could he keep up during the remaining 81 games? That's not an easy question to answer, but I do know for sure - the Flyers fans will never let this down. EVER! Flyers win game 1 of the Battle of Pennsylvania 3-2.

2010 Stanley Cup Playoff Predictions: Round 4

I seriously hope that none of the COHF readers have taken my predictions to Vegas. I guess I am over the heartbreak of the previous hometown team, but it leaves me with a Stanley Cup final that has to be weighted carefully considering my bias for these two teams remaining. Once again, the NHL is in June and it doesn't look a thing like any kind of hockey weather out there.

Stanley Cup Finals

Philadelphia v. Chicago

The Flyers and their fans should feel fortunate that they even get to be here. Knowing that all of this has resulted in a "coin-toss" scenario where they barely made the playoffs. If you look at the Flyers, they were built for the sole purpose of surviving with muscle in the playoffs instead of the open-ice scoring. Look for Mike Richards and Jeff Carter to get down low and challenge Chicago with their low-angled shots. On the other hand, Chicago has a stifling defense with Sopel, Boyton, and Campbell blocking shots. Chicago's speed on offense should be a part of a great match-up of speed. The young guns of Toews and "20 Cent" Kane have achieved their projected potential this soon and look to make the BlackHawks an elite team for years to come.

In the end, I have weighed my biases and have arrived at the conclusion that I am more emotionally settled to have Hossa finally raise the Cup than I would have any Flyer enscribe their names on the Cup.

Prediction: BlackHawks in 6

Battle of Pennsylvania 09-10: Game 5

72 hours later from a disappointing showing against the hated rival Washington Capitals, the Penguins have to fight off their other hated rival on national TV in America. Leading up to the game, fans were told that Fleury was expected to start, but at the last minute, the switch was made for an unremarkable Brent "Johny" Johnson.

The first period was going to be tricky as to how the game developed into which personalities fans were going to see. The Penguins pushed and tugged, but the Flyers were determined to get underneath Crosby's skin once again. Then things got really weird. The first goal was struck by the Flyers on the power play with Crosby in the box for slashing. Brent Johnson makes a pee-wee mistake by not protecting the pipe allowing Jeff Carter to wrap it around the open space. Then as tempers flare up, the Flyers rush up to score a second goal. However, it occurred during an offsetting penalties involving Malkin and Asham. Since the Flyers were called for two minors, the goal was waived off and the Penguins given a power play. Gonchar let another shot from his stick go though Guerin's redirect swipe for a 1-1 tie.

The second period was just the opposite of the first. Both the Penguins and Flyers dumped their aggressive attack for a more puck possession style. Johnson seemed to get his head on straight during the 1st intermission while he utilized this glove grabbing a few shots out of the air. After 2 periods, the score remained 1-1.

When things turned around to the third period, fans had a sense that the next goal was going to be the result of a fluky bounce or a bad penalty. Then the real Flyers showed their true colors and again roughed up Crosby and company to get them off their game. It took two back to back penalty kills for the Penguins for them to sense any kind of counter attack. Even after a center ice brawl that showed the Penguins weren't going to turn the other cheek, the Flyers didn't back down from their stance. But with the time winding down, Timonen takes a critical penalty where Gonchar again rips another shot through screening traffic past Emery for the 2-1 lead. They eventually credit Cooke with the redirection.

So the Penguins pick up another crucial 2 points to keep pace with the rest of the Atlantic Division foes.

Battle of Pennsylvania 2009-10: Game 1

Another season for the Battle of PA rivalry began tonight as the bragging rights stakes were geared up a little higher now that the Penguins are defending champs and the Flyers collected a lot of "muscle".

As Game 1 ended, it was going to be another game where it adds to the Flyers/Penguins lore. All through the game, the Flyers were trying to intimidate the Penguins by throwing heavy hits and provoking fights. Even when the game had its share of fights, one last brawl between Hartnell and Letang which resulted in Letang's hand recieving a bite mark. Of course, Penguins fans are sure not going to forget this along with the Flyers fans not able to live it down. Gotta love this rivalry, right?

The game was in Philadelphia this time around as the Flyers fans seemed to be bursting with bloodlust from the start. The Flyers would get caught with a 2 minute Briere hooking penalty and the Penguins would make them pay with an Evgeni Malkin Power Play goal just 48 seconds into the game. But that wouldn't deter the Flyer-ladened goon squad as many more dumb penalties were exchanged. But with all of the fighting, there was some goal scoring as Jordan Staal remined the hockey world just why Emery was not a great goaltender. Staal faked Emery with a great side-to-side switch with the puck before making it hit the twine.

Second period saw the Flyers bring back some respectablitiy where they kept up on the scoring sheet. Briere added his 2nd goal of the night, but not before the ageless Penguins veteran Guerrin knocked one by the goal as well. The game went into the locker room intermission with a fragile 4-3 lead. Whoever could capture the game's momentum in the third would have the better chance of winning.

The third period saw the Flyers flop and fumble their way out of the game as they continued roughousing and taking stupid penalties. The Penguins Tyler Kennedy would make it a 5-3 game at the period's halfway point. But not to be outdone, Jeff Carter surprised everybody by scoring his 4th goal of the season. That again heighened tensions back in Flyers favor with a chance to tie things late or frustrate the Penguins to make a big mistake.

That didn't happen as the Penguins brawled their way out of Philly with a 5-4 win.

[Via: Yahoo! Sports]

Battle of Pennsylvania 08-09: Game 5

With the post-season in jeopardy, the Penguins knew they had to turn things up a few notches against their cross-state rivals. But speaking of turning notches, the Philadelphia based Comcast network erroneously switched their #29 and #226 channels in the Pittsburgh area to the Sunshine Network of Florida, causing the viewers in Pittsburgh to rush to the phones and complain.

The Penguins looked like a different team than the one that played weeks earlier. They stared down the Canadians on Thursday night, but knew that it wouldn't mean much if they came up short again Saturday afternoon.

The Flyers packed their arena with almost 20,000 screaming fans making it a record attendance in Flyers franchise history. But right from the opening period, the fans booed Crosby each time he touched the puck. And with the first strike on the scoreboard, Jeffery Lupul threw a backhanded shot that left Fleury guessing. The rest of the period went on with the Flyers leading 1-0. Also in the period, a Flyer player took a questionable dive, a delayed reaction, that cost J-Staal 2 minutes for tripping.

In the second period, Sid Crosby corrected the scoring imbalance 21 seconds into the 2nd period. Malkin also followed up with a goal of his own. And former Flyer Fedotenko gave the Penguins a comfortable lead 3-1. The question now stood weather a Blysma coached team would be comfortable or continue to attack the Flyers net. The answer would help solve the riddle of the Penguins struggling season.

In the 3rd period, Mike Richards did what he does best and well-timed a pass intercept taking the puck by himself to the other end. 3-2. Coburn would make it 3-3 and pull all the momentum to the Flyers favor. But at the half-way point, Fedotenko would again haunt his former team with yet another goal of his own. The Flyers still wouldn't give up, leaving Mike Knuble, a reliable Penguin-killer, to once again tie the game up at 4-4.

What happened at the end of the game would have to be a miracle play that will positively be discussed for future post game analysis. Martin Biron left his goal crease, tried scooping it up, but somehow fumbled it over his shoulders. Dupuis was quick to chip it ahead to a waiting Crosby in the slot where he scored the winning goal.

The Penguins are still 4 points out of the 8th spot for the playoffs, but with 2 key wins in their pocket, they will soon climb up the ladder one rung and game at a time.

[Via: Yahoo! Sports]

Battle of Pennsylvania 08-09: Game 4

With stats that were thrown out during the beginning of the game that the Flyers had a 8 game winning streak at home and the Penguins have not won there in a long while, the Penguins might as well feel the pressure of a rivalry game. The Flyers were finally looking down on the Penguins from the divisional standings and they looked to stay in the drivers seat.

In the first period, Marc-Andre Fleury mishandled a puck from behind his net which then plopped in front of the unattended net. Mike Knuble, a regular Penguin-killer, had only but swoop on the Fleury mishap and poke it in for the games first goal. The play first started as a Flyers charged break out since being frustrated with a 1-2-2 trap that the Penguins strategies the morning of the game.

The work horse of the night was newly promotied Matt Cooke who almost looked like he was a natural fit playing wing with Geno and Sid. He out-hustled the Flyers and provoked a couple of penalties the whole game. Tyler Kennedy evened things out for the Penguins late in period 1 - a reward for firmly controlling the Flyers offensive flow. Also noted was the Goddard and Cote fight that was wrongly broken up when Goddard got a good punch that took Cote to the ground. Cote came looking for more, but the refs wouldn't let it continue.

The second period saw the Flyers continue to dump the puck back into the zone, only to have the Penguins defense sweep up the pucks for an attack in the other direction.

Pittsburgh played the first two periods more like the team that beat the Flyers in last year’s Eastern Conference finals than the one that came in stuck in an alarming slump that left them outside a playoff spot.

It really frustrated the Flyers fans into showing their true colors by being classless. Booing Crosby and chant "Crosby Sucks" only motivated Crosby more. He played on another level with Malkin as his wing while attaining his 250th career NHL point.

The third period saw the Penguins relax their trap defense just enough to allow the Flyers to bring things within 2 by Lupul scoring a goal. But when it was all over, the Flyers chose to get really undiciplined. The Flyers got caught with a "too many men" bench penalty as well as causing a 5-on-3 penalty kill with a minute and a half left. Vaananen took a shot at a Penguins head and Hartnell was soon caught slashing Orpik's body while skating by.

When the Penguins win, all is right with the world. Will this be the return of the Penguins to quality wins? The Penguins play rival Ovechkin and the Capitals tomorrow. Don't ya just love sports rivalries?

Gov. Palin to Appear at Flyers Opening Game

Gov. Sarah Palin will visit the Wachovia Arena this Saturday to drop the first puck on the new season as it finally arrives with much anticipation to me and any other blogger/journalist.

“Because of the tremendous amount of publicity she has brought to our sport, we invited the most popular hockey mom in North America to our home opener to help us get our season started,” said Comcast-Spectacor Chairman Ed Snider who founded the Flyers in 1967. “We are very excited she has accepted our offer and we are very proud of the publicity she is generating for hockey moms and the sport of hockey.”

Even though it is for the Penguins much-hated rival, I still like the new story. Any news that helps announce the beginning of the hockey season will be a good thing.

[Via: Philadelphia Flyers Official Site]

Battle of Pennsylvania Continues

When I created the Battle of Pennsylvania @ Blogspot way back in 2005 as a response to the Battle of Ontario and Battle of Alberta blogs, I made it a mission to promote the Pens and Flyers rivalry to the rest of the hockey fandom world. It has been a daunting task, but certainly something that this blogger is up for. But I think that the key to appreciating this is actually having lived in Pennsylvania in either of the two cities Pittsburgh or Philadelphia or at the Battle of PA Maginot Line of State College.

"Neither team liked each other (then)," said Jones, "and it’s expected to be the same (now)."

The two teams, Flyers and Penguins, hate each other. You can confirm it by reading the trash-talking quotes in the newspapers and blogs. But in this entry, I will sum up the latest episodes in the feud.

This current incarnation's level is also raised because most of the Flyers and Penguins have already fought it out in the AHL minors and that memories continue to spill over into the NHL. Hockey fans in Pennsylvania are treated to a double dose of playoff hockey rivalries as the AHL Penguins and Phantoms are fighting through another round continuing their natural regional rivalry. The AHL Penguins are leading the 7 game series so far (2-1) and

Both teams coaches, Therrien and Stevens know each other from opposing each other in the AHL as well. Therrien often gets quoted on TV or in the papers acknowledging the increased intensity. Recently, he criticized Coach Stevens for running up the score in a game earlier this season.

My advice to those who don't live in the Keystone state, just enjoy the hockey. You are in for some really passionate games. Go read some of the other articles that are written about the two teams capsulizing their rivalry since their 1967 NHL inclusion. Yahoo! Sports NHL.com "Pennsylvania is hockey heaven"

Battle of Pennsylvania 07-08: Game 8

Even though the Penguins already had a playoff position, both the Penguins and Flyers were still deciding the final resolution to the season. Would the Flyers face the Penguins yet again or would the Penguins eye a revenge match up destiny against the Senators?

If the Flyers lost this game, they would give the Conference title to the Penguins and play them in the first round as the 8th seed. But if the Penguins lost, the Penguins would sit at #2 and play the Ottawa Senators.

Credit to where it is due, the Flyers game intro in the Wachovia Arena was very impressive as FSN-Pitt captured the end of "God Bless America" and the light show that followed. That was all it took for me to get amped up for this rivalry game! I would find out that my excitement would be short lived.

The Penguins decided to bench Crosby, anticipating that the Flyers would intentionally take liberties towards hurting him for a future possible playoff match up. They also had concerns for Fleury who would play in net. With Crosby getting a rest, we did get to see the return of thee bad ass- GARY ROBERTS!

The first period saw the Flyers look like they were going to play nice and actually try to win the game. Were they scared at a Penguins first round series? Penguins fans expected the Flyers to play a typical Flyers "Broad Street Bullies" game, but were biding their time until they were provoked. The first period ended with no score and consequently almost put me to sleep. Come on, guys! Last game of the season! Make the highlight tapes.

Second period saw more physicality and the Flyers goalie Martin Biron was playing opposite to what he was in game 7. He was shutting down the Penguins at every shot with the Penguins helping the cause by looking like crap on the Power Play. Scottie Upshall scored in the second period, but no panic could be seen on the Penguins faces. It only makes the comeback win more dramatic. We got 'em right where we want 'em.

“It wasn’t quite a playoff atmosphere game and it kind of felt like each team was feeling each other out,” Penguins forward Jordan Staal said. “We really should have come out stronger at first and we would’ve took the game.”

Third period was the last 20 mintues for this regular season run. I would hate to see the game as a fan knowing that it would be the last time to see action until next year. The Penguins tried harder and Ruutu agitated even more. Could this be a future playoff matchup? Would the Battle of PA extend to a playoff recap? With nothing really to lose, the Penguins pulled Fleury in the waining minute of the third. The Flyers were gunning to add the insurance goal and breathe a sigh of relief that they were not destined to go out the first round of the playoffs. Mikey Knuble, a familiar Penguin-killer slammed home the EN goal to give the Flyers a 2-0 victory.

The Flyers win the Battle of PA for this year 5 games to 3 in the regular season series.

[Via Yahoo! Sports]

Battle of Pennsylvania 07-08: Game 6

Another national broadcast on NBC for the Penguins and the Flyers. I am sure the suits at the Peacock network are upset that the game is not going to feature Sid Crosby. But the Penguins were determined to get their game plan and not stoop to the lowest common denominator.

So.. the game begins and I am fighting the hangover blues of a wild weekend. The Penguins come out firing in the first period knowing what is at stake. A shaky (and possibly tired) Biron lets in a soft goal to Malkin. That was Malkin's 40th of the year. Honestly, I haven't been keeping an eye on his goal totals, so when I saw the stats line on the screen, I was a little surprised. What is it with Malkin when Crosby is away? Malkin comes out of his shell when Crosby is out of the lineup, but disappears when he is relegated to the 2nd line. Speaking of streaky stuff, local sports guys warned that Sykora was streaky scorer, and boy were they right! Welcome back to the scoresheet, Sykora!

“That’s what you need when your top guy goes out,” said Ryan Malone, who had two assists while skating with Malkin and Sykora. “There’s no reason when Sid comes back that we can’t have the same desperation, the same attitude. He’s just going to add to us.”

This further frustrates the Flyers who are starting to look like the Flyers of last year. Boston wore them out last night.

1st intermission with NBC and I am really starting to like "Mad Mike" Milbury. Gotta laugh at his provoking commentaries.

Second period shows Biron in no real desire to play and the Penguins again go on the attack. Biron mishandles a rebound that Tyler Kennedy - KENNEDY hits in and gets replaced by "da Gangsta" Niittymaki.

Biron wasn’t happy with his play, or being lifted, saying, “When you get taken out of a game where your playoff life is on the line, you’re never happy about it.”

The Flyers had shown some spark of life as the only guy to show up was Patrick Thoresen. Even when you can't condone his attack after the whistle on Letang, at least he was getting noticed. He also helped set up a great centering pass to perennial Penguin-killer Knuble for the Flyers only goal of the game. After having lost Hatcher last night, the Flyers also look to have lost RJ "Benedict Arnold" Umberger as his knee was rolled under by Whitney.

In the third, with the threat looming of a real full on Flyers brawl when the Flyers get frustrated, the Penguins poured on the heat and added another "1st timers club" goal by Hal Gill. And Sykora added a final 7th goal to rub it into the Flyers noses remembering how the Penguins were badly beaten 8-2 in December.

Payback is a bitch... and now all is right with the world.

[Via: Yahoo! Sports]

Flyers to Play Penguins at Penn State

No other blogger and hockey fan is more excited at the news that has been floating around suggesting that the NHL may do another outdoor "Winter Classic", but this time, raise the drama and put it on a "neutral site". I would be first in line and would sure as heck fight for some press credentials to welcome all of my fellow hockey fans to my "adopted hometown" of State College, PA.

Philadelphia center R.J. Umberger, who is from Plum, agreed.

"Just imagine how intense and fun that would be in an outdoor game," he said. "To play at Penn State there, the fans from Pittsburgh and Philly, it would be insane, probably one of the best games in NHL history."

When I lived in Penn State for close to 8 years, I would often "fight" for bragging rights and push for territory when the Maginot line of hockey is fought in the middle of the vicious Pens vs. Flyers rivalry.

"I've been up to Penn State for some football games," coach John Stevens told the Philadelphia Daily News. "The atmosphere up there is just unbelievable. It's a great town. It's halfway between Pittsburgh and here. It's an ideal situation. You'd get fans from both teams."

But there are some things that people should consider before this becomes a reality. They first need to make sure that the hype and ratings are safe and profitable to NBC. Secondly, they have to realize that Joe Paterno runs Beaver Stadium like a dictator. For the set-up to get all the equipment, cameras, and the boards to stabilize, there is going to be an awful lot of holes and tearing up of the precious football sod that is so valuable to the perennial top ranked NCAA football program.

I know how these things work with the politics of Penn State administrations. You need to convince them before the Flyers and Penguins can sit down and negotiate a game.

[Via: Pittsburgh Post Gazette]

Battle of Pennsylvania 06-07: Episode 8 Live Edition

So, I am going to sit here and blog live as I update this blog and watch the Penguins and Flyers as they are broadcast from NBC this afternoon. As they open up from an excellent view of Pittsburgh and my hometown, they introduce the broadcast for this game and explain others will see Colorado vs Detroit.

Joe Micheletti is in the booth between the benches. During the last home game, Bob Errey sat in the same place and helped out the Penguins by acting as a screen from the opposing team during the timeout. Will Joe help out? Probably not.

EDIT: Uh-oh. 1-0 from the "new look" Flyers and Jason York.

EDIT: The Crosby and "youngest to 200" talk this period has reached 4 times and we are not even half way through the 1st period. NBC really understands how to focus on the prime-time players.

EDIT: Who made the decision that this game gets the "B-game" crew of broadcasting commentators? They are doing a great job, but Mike "Doc" Emrick should be doing this game.

EDIT: The answer to the Moose Trivia Question is Brett Hull. He was drafted in the 6th round while Ferraro was drafted in the 5th round and Clement was a 2nd rounder.

EDIT: Uh-oh. Fleury is starting to crack. 2-0 Flyers after a long shot from the blue line.

EDIT: I went ice skating late last night and now that NBC is showing a lot of the Rockerfeller Center (or as they like to call it "The Rink at 30 Rock") I am determined to ice skate on that legendary sheet of ice once before I die.

EDIT: Congratulations to Gary Roberts for his first goal in a Penguin uniform. Marty Biron has been absolutely huge this afternoon. No wonder Buffalo was winning so many games this year. Simon Gagne is also hustling out every opportunity. He may figure in on the scoreboard before this game is over.

EDIT: Great job with Brett Hull's slapshot editorial. Now, if he could only have time to practice it a little more so he doesn't sound like he is reading it off the teleprompter.

EDIT: It is now coming down to overtime 3 on 3 to decide the final game of the series.

EDIT: Okay, great. it is a shootout. The Pens MUST win this game for the pride of the city and to keep pace in the playoff perspective. Marty Biron hasn't made any mistakes at all this game.

EDIT: And Crosby once again comes up the hero to score the clutch shootout OT goal. Fleury came up huge by snapping up shot after shot. This is history in the NHL this afternoon, everybody. This is the first time the Penguins have been able to sweep the season series in the NHL since both teams came into the league in 1967.

In closing I would just like to thank all my friends at NBC Sports, those who work behind the scenes, and those have been blogging and featuring my blog to all their readers. I truly appreciate the attention on that large scale. But if any of my readers haven't seen the NHL on NBC blogs yet, then what are you waiting for?

Live Blogging Announced For NHL on NBC

Confessions of a Hockey Fanatic blog would like to announce that during the NBC broadcast of the NHL game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Philadelphia Flyers*.

Prepared for the game, this blog will update itself frequently to instantly react to all aspects of the game as well as editorialize on the NBC broadcast. This is expected to be the last meeting between the two clubs during the regular season and with the Penguins franchise future uncertain it could be the very last Battle of Pennsylvania game.

* = Pending uninterrupted Internet service availability.

da Floppah is latest Nashvile Star

The conclusion to all of the media hype and speculation about Peter Forsberg being traded has been written. Quickly rushing to the publishing block, sports writers and bloggers have all jotted down their opinions and evaluations of who got the better of the trade. "A rush to judgement" said hockey's trusted insider Bob McKenzie.

So far, nobody has put much thought into the stability of the Nashville Predators franchise when it is the giant elephant in the room that everybody is ignoring. Just like the Penguins, the Predators could wind up in a new home because as one blogger suggests, Music City provides a regular amount of cultural entertainment that rural middle-America (re. Caucasian country cowboys) causing them not to grasp the concept of the coolest game on ice.

Does this now provide a little more star attraction to the Predators where they can gain more attendance? We shall soon see in the coming weeks.

'This trade could be our defining moment and we didn't want to look back 20 years from now and wonder whether or not the Peter Forsberg trade might have made a difference on helping the Nashville Predators win the Stanley Cup.''

- Predators head coach Barry Trotz on the acquisition of Peter Forsberg.

Coach Trotz has it right on the money whereas this franchise needed a quick attention grabber even more that somehow stars like Vokoun and Paul Kariya have failed. But will the Predators even exist 20 years from now?

Forsberg returns to the Western Conference, a place where he saw more success than laboring in the East with the Nordiques and Flyers. He will no doubt wreak havoc on Red Wings fans who know him very well as an Avalanche player.

The Predators are now an instant Stanley Cup contenders and should they now figure out how to survive in the playoffs, they will arrive as the Western Conference representatives in the finals.

[Via: TSN]

Author's Note: da Floppah is a nickname Peter Forsberg earned for his aggressive playing style that has often had rival fans observing Forsberg tripping himself over opposing players sticks to draw extra penalties - hence flopping onto the ice.

Battle of Pennsylvania 06-07: Episode 6

While all my Canadian friends are glued to their CBC for the yearly tradition of Hockey Day in Canada, I have my own enjoyment to watch the Penguins play the latest episode of the hated rival Philadelphia Flyers. The big stories of the game was developing into just how much the game quality the American audience would see during the NBC broadcast. Sid Crosby is coming into the game in first place in the scoring race, but creeping up is his nemesis Ovechkin. How many points would Crosby pick up to maintain that point separation?

The NBC broadcast was in a crisp beautiful High Definition making the Flyers 3rd jersey a really bright fresh pumpkin orange. NBC would also bring close the Olczyk/Penguins connection as he would be the color analyst offering more knowledge than what I would expect from a professional. Ed Olczyk, former Penguins coach and player, gave the NBC audience a little personal anecdote claiming that he fought like hell to keep Marc-Andre Fleury on the major level, but the Penguins trumped him by stating they had financial concerns. He then ended his story with mentioning that he was fired from the job days later. In my opinion, Olczyk only came off as being bitter.

The Flyers also showed a lot of frustration on the ice during the game despite capturing the game's first goal by Ryan Potulny a little after a minute and a half into the game. But Sergei Gonchar would tie it up at 1-1 before Ben Eager decided to excuse himself for the afternoon and pick a fight with one of the Penguins enforcers Chris Thorburn earning himself a game misconduct. The Pens ended the first with a 2-1 lead when Evgeny "Geno" Malkin scored his 21st goal of the year.

The second period was just as scrappy as the first as each team skated around looking for the unsuspecting player to lower a shoulder into. Former Flyer Mark Recchi took a nice shot at the goal 15 and a quarter minutes in to make it 3-1 Penguins and it looked like the Penguins had all the momentum. But the Penguins soon realized that the Flyers would not lay down for them this time as the Flyers battled back with 2 quick goals of their own by Gagne and Forsberg respectively. NBC's "man in the middle" Pierre McGuire, asked Mark Recchi at the end of the period why the Penguins were letting the Flyers back into the game.

The Penguins took to the third like the previous two and fought off the rowdy Flyers with another goal by Jordan Staal and then sealed it away by a empty net goal by Evgeny Malkin. The Flyer faithful in the Wachovia Center tried to generate some excitement themselves, but not for the hockey game. They looked forward to the Eagles and the NFL playoffs.

With an Eagles playoff game only hours away, the surprisingly strong crowd got more enjoyment out of shouting "E-A-G-L-E-S!" for several stretches in this one. And why not? After all, the Flyers gave them little reason to cheer.

Staal talked about the team's success after the game.

"I don't know. Part of it is just confidence," Staal said. "Once you get a couple going on them, you're more confident playing a team like that. I can't really say why we beat them every time."

Crosby walked out of the afternoon with 1 assist desperate to keep scoring pace.

You can also read the excellent Mike Chen's assessment of the NBC broadcast at the link below.

[Via: Yahoo! Sports & Mike Chen 2.0]

Mike Chen 2.0 is on to Something

Fellow accomplished writer and hockey fan Mike Chen recently had a blog entry about observations made over at NHL.com. He noticed that the Flyers are really getting nostalgic for the good ol days - and perhaps using anything to distract fans from the current chaos in Philly now.

Well, you can count on me for poking the perpetual sharp stick into the Flyers and their fans by mentioning that the original Mike Chen observation was not a fluky one time thing, but again created by the writing staff over at NHL.com HQ. I now submit your attention to the latest photo capture of the NHL.com stories as of tonight.

Notice how the NHL is featuring the future of the league in 75% of the articles? What could possibly be the reason behind featuring the Flyers glory days?

With no widespread American TV broadcasting rights, the NHL is heavilly stringing along their future on the Comcast network and the Vs channel - who just so happen to own the Flyers franchise. It would be great for the NHL to do a "slight of hand" trick to distract the current chaotic situation. If everybody plays nice, then maybe Vs and Comcast will grow beyond it's current low household cumulative ratings.


[Via: Mike Chen 2.0]

Bye-Bye Bobby!!!

Na-na-na-na. Na-na-na-na. Hey-hey-hey. GOODBYE!!!!!!!!

Christmas comes early for us Flyers haters this year. It is expected to be announced that GM and the face of the Flyer franchise futility Bobby Clarke has resigned after the Flyers have sunk to their all time lowest with an opening record of 1-6-1 in the first 8 games of the season

Some may feel that this shake up in the Flyers organization has come a bit too quick in the season. But I believe this to be a move retroactive to the several years of Flyers inability to make improvements to their post-season play. The "re-arranging of the deck chairs on the titanic" moment came when high-pricetag superstars Petr Nedved and Nico Dimitrakos were waived sent to the AHL.

Also leaving the Flyers is coach Ken Hitchcock who's coaching system provided one of the lowest scoring totals in the franchise history. Hitchcock had some success in the playoffs, but lost to the eventual Stanley Cup champions Tampa Bay Lightning.

Clarke and Hitchcock were widely known to still continue the use of thugery and goonism in the NHL and their inability to adapt to the new-NHL was their undoing.

[Via: Yahoo! News]

Battle of Pennsylvania @ Blogspot: Five

The Penguins just don't know how to win at the NHL level anymore and with a core team with only 1 year of NHL experience, it's been a long frustrating season. The Philadelphia Flyers have been plucking guys off other teams rosters since the league came back into business. The newest Flyer to be welcomed into the 'Burgh is the long time Penguins killer Petr Nedved. He's there to replace the ailing Peter Forsberg in the lineup. Don't Bobby Clarke know that there's a salary cap in place?

Also new to the Penguins is the first time being featured on NBC broadcast. You would think with all the money that they have, there would be some sort of posh high-tech NBC studio. But no, the NHL on NBC is no different production wise than OLN. It's the same Clement, Davidson, and McGuire that limits just about any chance for fresh ideas in a broadcast.

The game was quite different from what the Flyers saw the first time around. The Penguins played up to their competition with the intensity and determination not to give up the first goal. That plan went down the tubes when RJ Umberger (the RJ stands for "Benedict Arnold") hit a power play goal from Nedved and Kapanen. That goal soured me even more to the abilities of Marc Andre Fleury. I think we were all sold a bill of goods on just how great he's supposed to be. If he was really that great, he wouldn't let "softies" like that first goal in the net. It hit him in the shoulder and trickled across his chest to where it eventually landed in the net. That should never happen. Ever.

In the second period, the broadcasting crew welcomed Mario Lemieux for a interview. He ducked some questions regarding his health and when he might be expected back. To NBC's credit, they tried prying the information from him by asking three different times in three different ways. Then they also addressed Lemieux stepping down as team President in favor of Ken Sawyer and preparations.

The worst thing that NBC did was to tone down the fighting. They must have gotten a memo or something to stress to fairweather fans that the fighting is trying to be phased out of NHL hockey. Bitches.

It's 9 straight losses for the Penguins. Can they make it 10 in a row Monday night in Philadelphia?