End of the year post!!!

Barring a sudden change in the schedule that moves the next Flyers game to tonight, this will be the final post of 2007. Not sure why everyone makes a big deal out of the last _____ of any year, seeing as how they'll be doing the same thing tomorrow, but here you go. It was a pretty hectic year for the O&B to say the least. The Flyers, along with the other 1967 expansion teams, celebrated their 40th year in the NHL by finishing dead last with 56 points. Bobby Clarke was fired as GM, Ken Hitchcock was let go and ultimately ended up in Columbus, and the organization set about rebuilding this team through trades, free agent signings like Briere and Martin Biron, and developing the young guys on the Phantoms. I can't say I'm complaining too much, although the inconsistent play is killing this team. They did manage to squeak out a 1-0 win over Florida yesterday, with Derian Hatcher scoring the only goal and Antero Nittymaki earning his third shutout of his career. This gives the Flyers a nice three-game streak going into the game at New Jersey on Friday. By the way, I know I've said it before, but winning games in New Jersey is crucial if the Flyers want to get back on top of the Atlantic division. The Devils have owned us recently, so any win is nice, but a victory in their shiny half-empty arena would be extra sweet. And making Martin Brodeur cry. Always fun.

It's New Year's Eve in Philly and that means two things. One, meaningful football in Eastern PA is done until August, and the Mummers Parade is set to go. For those of you who don't know what the Mummers Parade is, it's a Philadelphia tradition that started a couple hundred years ago and involves lots of string bands, horns, and enough booze to refill Lake Erie, all culminating with the big party on Two Street (South 2nd Street). Basically, it's a socially acceptable reason for Philadelphians to get drunk in public without a sporting event going on (and in the years when the Eagles have a game at home on either New Year's Eve or New Year's Day...you could not PAY me to be a cop that weekend).

And with that, I leave you with last year's Two Street party. Have fun, be safe, go Flyers!!!