Posts Tagged ‘Hockey’

« Older Entries

Flyers Confidence and Special Teams Shine in Win vs Habs

February 3rd, 2016 by Joe Buscemi | Comments Off on Flyers Confidence and Special Teams Shine in Win vs Habs | Filed in Flyers, General, Hockey
Forward Ryan White Celebrates the Flyers win with goalie Steve Mason

Forward Ryan White Celebrates the Flyers win with goalie Steve Mason

The Flyers returned home to Philadelphia as they hosted the Montreal Canadians to begin the second half of the season. They went into the all-star break with a win and were five points out of the wildcard and needed another regulation win to inch closer to the final wild card spot and distance themselves from the Canadians. They did just that, thanks to a full sixty minutes of good/disciplined hockey. The special teams played a vital role in last nights victory, as they went 2-4 on the powerplay, goals from Simmonds and Schenn, and killed 3 of 4 Habs penalties, including a 5 minute major given to Radko Gudas for his hit on Lucas Lessio.

The Flyers 2-0 lead would be cut in half thanks to a powerplay goal scored by Habs Andrei Markov, with just 1:42 left in the first. After scoring late in the first, the Canadians would score the tying goal just 2:30 into the 2nd period, courtesy of defensemen Jeff Petry, Halfway into the second, Wayne Simmonds netted his second goal of the night, giving the Flyers a critical 3-2 lead. After killing the five minute major, Matt Read put the dagger in the Habs, as he scored the empty netter to put the Flyers up 4-2 with just 43 seconds left in regulation.

Wayne Simmonds 3rd period go-ahead-goal.

(more…)

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Flyers Offensive Outage

November 4th, 2015 by Joe Buscemi | Comments Off on Flyers Offensive Outage | Filed in Flyers, General, Hockey, Sports

EDMONTON, AB - DECEMBER 28: Jordan Eberle #14 of the Edmonton Oilers exchanges words with Claude Giroux #28 of the Philadelphia Flyers prior to a face off on December 28, 2013 at Rexall Place in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Marko Ditkun/NHLI via Getty Images)

The Flyers will stay North of the Border as they head to Edmonton to take on the Oilers tonight at Rexall Place. They are currently on a four game losing skid, and have been outscored 15-6 during this recent slump. They did however put up quite a fight last night to the Canucks for most of the game, especially during the third period where they outshot, out-hit, and had the majority of scoring chances. None of this would matter to Canucks goalie Ryan Miller, who to his credit stood on his head throughout the entire game and kept the most promising of Flyers opportunities from reaching the back of the net.

  • Takeaways: Despite the tough loss, the team’s only highlight came just under three minutes in the second period, where captain Claude Giroux scored a dazzling goal. He muscled through a Canuck defender and just has he approached the net, he went fore-hand, back-hand and flicked the puck top shelf to tie the game at one.

NHL: Edmonton Oilers at Dallas Stars

  • Planning for Connor McDavid: Despite the Oilers slow start, as they are 4-8 on the season, the Flyers defense has to plan carefully for the always dangerous Connor McDavid. Just in case you were living under a rock the past few months, he was the first overall pick in this season’s NHL Draft and has been the talk of the league ever since. The Oilers are currently undergoing a youth movement somewhat similar to the Flyers and are no team to take lightly. The Flyers are going to need to stay solid on defense and absolutely need to start cashing in on scoring opportunities, especially during powerplays as they are only four for thirty-four on the man advantage, if they want to end their current losing streak.

(more…)

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Back to Hockey 2015 Pre-Season Edition (Did somebody say free food?!)

September 12th, 2015 by Joe Buscemi | 1 Comment | Filed in Flyers, General, Hockey, Sports

flyers opening promo 2015

 

That’s right Flyers fans the orange and black are set to open the season in a little under a month, on October 8th, when they face-off against the Tampa Bay Lightning.  However before I go on about the upcoming regular season, here are a few things you should know about the pre-season, which is only ten days away!

flyers time change

2015 Flyers pre-season schedule:

September 21st vs the Islanders (split squad)

September 22nd vs the Rangers

(more…)

Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,

Philadelphia Flyers & Jakub Voracek Agree to Massive, Eight Year Contract

August 1st, 2015 by Ryan Waterman | Comments Off on Philadelphia Flyers & Jakub Voracek Agree to Massive, Eight Year Contract | Filed in Flyers, General, Hockey

images1

untitled

It’s the end of July, which is usually associated with the MLB and their trade deadline. This time period, also just happens to fall in the middle of the NHL’s offseason. Lost in the shuffle of the Phillies active deadline week, another Philly team has quietly made some quality moves to lock up some of their young studs. Earlier this week, the team re-signed lockdown center Sean Couturier to a six-year extension. Yesterday evening, news broke that the Flyers locked up another key piece of their young core. The team announced that they had signed forward Jakub Voracek to an eight-year, $66.5 million dollar contract.

This was a significant move, that was necessary for the team’s long-term success. Voracek was a huge piece of the limited success the Flyers had last season. In a breakout season, Jake tallied 22 goals, and 59 assists, good for a 4th place tie in points last year. He was also highly effective on the power-play last season, finishing with 33 points (11 goals, 22 assists). He really came into his own last season, and stepped up as one of the leaders on this team. Paired with Claude Giroux, Voracek helps make one of the most explosive duos in hockey. Often compared to the Malkin/Crosby duo in Pittsburgh, or the Kane/Toews duo in Chicago, the Voracek/Giroux duo may not seem all that impressive. Digging deeper into things, the duo of G & Voracek have actually outscored the duo of Kane/Toews over the last three seasons, by a margin of 396 points, to 370.

Now that the Flyers have locked up their young guns, their focus will turn towards winning. The team is in a bit of a “retool” mode, and Voracek stepping up as a leader will make things easier as far as a veteran presence in the locker room. At the young age of 25, Voracek will be entering his 8th season in the league. He’s been around the block more than a few times, and has gathered some playoff experience in his time as a Flyer. At an annual value of $8.25 million per season, there are high expectations coming with this contract. Jake is strongly expected to be one of the players, that will help end Philadelphia’s Stanley Cup drought of 40 years. With a big contract, comes big expectations. He’ll be expected to meet those expectations, or he can expect to hear it from the Philly faithful.

Overall though, this is a good signing for the Flyers. Ron Hextall has done everything right in his tenure as GM, to this point. He’s centered his focus on re-tooling for the future. He’s not admitting defeat, yet he’s also admitted that the team will remain competitive. Hexy has set this team up for long-term success, and it shows from his patience with the prospects, to his ability to secure long-term commitments from the young studs. With Voracek and “Coots” already locked up, I personally have to wonder where Brayden Schenn. Is he next in line for a long-term payday? Or, will Schenn find himself on a new team by this time next year? Only time will tell, and I for one, am looking forward to what this team has in store for us this upcoming season. If you check back towards the end of August, and I will have my “Official Flyers Season Preview” up for your viewing pleasure.

(more…)

Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,

ICYMI: Recap of Flyers 2015-16 Promotional Schedule

July 1st, 2015 by Joe Buscemi | Comments Off on ICYMI: Recap of Flyers 2015-16 Promotional Schedule | Filed in Flyers, General, Hockey, TalkSportsPhilly

flyerssched

Last year was a special year in Flyers history. John LeClair, Eric Lindros, and Eric Deshardins, three members of the “Legion of Doom” era, were inducted into the Flyers hall of fame. If you grew up in the 80’s and 90’s you knew just how nostalgic those ceremonies felt and how well deserved they were. Each of them played a critical role in the success that brought the Flyers to many memorable playoff appearances including the 1997 Stanley Cup Finals.

It looks as though the Flyers are going to keep the party going with a few ceremonies that will have fans feeling quite special this year as well. On October 14th vs. the Blackhawks, the organization will honor Kimmo Timonen’s retirement, which many have phrased as a storybook ending.

Even though he did not hoist the cup with the Flyers, Kimmo went through quite a lot prior to this past season, when he was diagnosed with blood clots in both of his lungs back in August, causing a health scare and uncertainty to his playing days. Kimmo is an example of the phrase “hard work pays off” and nothing is more important than having a positive outlook despite life’s obstacles. I can only imagine the kind of reaction he will get from the fans that night.

The Flyers have also inducted Rod Brind’Amour and Jim Waton into this year’s hall of fame class. Each player was also very much loved during their respective stints with the organization.

“Brindy” was quite an asset to that Legion of Doom team on and off the ice.  He wound up recording 235 goals and 366 assists for a total of 601 points. He ranks 10th overall in goals in Flyers history and 4th overall among centers.

(more…)

Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,

The Flyers hire Dave Hakstol as their new head coach

May 18th, 2015 by Kyle Lutz | Comments Off on The Flyers hire Dave Hakstol as their new head coach | Filed in Flyers, General, Hockey

This morning, Flyers’ general manager Ron Hextall formally announced the hiring of University of North Dakota head coach Dake Hakstol as the team’s newest head coach, the 19th head coach in team history. In 11 seasons with North Dakota, Hakstol accumulated a very-impressive win-loss record of 289-143-43. In addition to his 289 wins there, he also made the NCAA tournament each season and reached the Frozen Four seven times. With the hire, he becomes the third head coach in NHL history to go from the collegiate level straight to the NHL, without any prior NHL coaching experience.

“Dave brings a wealth of head coaching experience and success to the Philadelphia Flyers organization,” GM Ron Hextall said. “He’s a proven winner and we are pleased to have him become part of the Flyers family.” The Flyers fired Craig Berube on April 17, after the team failed to qualify for the playoffs. After this season ended, the Flyers missed the playoffs for the second time in the last three years.

Former Flyers’ head coach, who took the team to two Stanley Cup Finals (in 1985 and 1987) and with whom Ron Hextall played for from 1986-88, Mike Keenan also was a college coach, before he made his way into the NHL coaching ranks (although he didn’t go straight from the NCAA level to the NHL level, like Hakstol has). Point being, it goes to show that college coaches can be a breath of fresh air, and they’re practically the same type of coach as an assistant NHL coach (or a minor-league coach) that became an NHL rookie coach later on in their career.

Comcast Sportsnet aired a 12 PM press conference, to announce and take questions about the hiring, in which Hextall said that right away he and Hakstol would work on putting together the latter’s staff. It remains to be seen as to whether or not assistant coaches Gord Murphy, Joe Mullen and Ian Laperriere will be retained or not this summer, before the season starts, seeing as how they were assistants on former Flyers’ coach Craig Berube’s staff. Usually, new head coaches like to put together their own staffs, instead of retaining the previous coach’s. We’ll see what happens.

(more…)

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

The Mike Babcock Sweepstake’s

May 18th, 2015 by Joe Buscemi | Comments Off on The Mike Babcock Sweepstake’s | Filed in Flyers, General, Hockey, TalkSportsPhilly

mikebabcock

If you haven’t heard by now the Flyers are front runners for the signing of Detroit Red Wings head coach, Mike Babcock. What’s so special about that? He’s currently considered one of the greatest coaches in the NHL and clearly one of the most valuable on the market. If you don’t believe that here is a brief run-down of his coaching resume: In 950 games coached he has a remarkable record of 537 wins, 285 losses, and only 19 ties. He has been to three Stanley Cup finals; 2003 with the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, lost to the Devils, 2008 with the Wings, defeated the Penguins, and lost to the Penguins in a rematch the very next year. He may be one for three in cup appearances, however he became the first and continues to be the only coach in NHL history to join the “Triple Gold Club” back in 2008.  This club is one of the most sought after for hockey coaches and players, as they are awarded for winning an Olympic Gold, the Stanley Cup, and World Championship (IIHF) gold medal, three of the highest achievements  in professional hockey.

The speculation continues to grow as Babcock’s signing deadline nears it close. The Red Wings organization has been given him time to speak outside the organization until May 25th, which is only ten days away. Many teams who were originally in the running are now out, including possibly the heavier favorite Oilers, giving the Flyers an even better chance at landing coach.

Will Hextall make the bold move and sign the soon to be highest paid coach (approximately $4.5 mill) in the NHL? We have ten more days to speculate. Do you Flyers fans feel as though he would be an appropriate fit to lead this club to the Stanley Cup? Let us know by giving us your thoughts in our comments section below or voice your opinion via Twitter with the TSP team and myself @joey_boosh and @talksportsphila!

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

« Older Entries