A new beginning

I should be a weatherman.

On Monday, I told some of my co-workers that if the Phillies won Game 5, the following morning would be the most beautiful, sunniest day they've ever seen. Of course, it rained its tail off for two days straight, so my theory didn't quite work out. Last night, as you might have guessed, the Phils finally won the World Series. And sure enough, today is easily one of the prettiest Thursdays you ever wanted to see. Not a cloud in the sky, except for the smoldering bonfires set last night on S. Broad St. I never could figure out why people feel the need to destroy property following a championship win, as some Philly fans did last night. Maybe it's the 25 years of pent-up frustration coming out, or the six or seven beers diluting common sense, but it did get a bit out of hand. It's not like we're the only city to celebrate like this (see: Detroit, LA, heck, even Montreal after winning a first round series).

For years, we Philadelphia fans have been known for being overly bitter, angry people who aren't exactly the best hosts when guests come calling. Most of that is attributed to a lack of championship teams (we've had great teams in this town, just not a lot of trophies), and the ingrained inferiority complex that comes from living in between New York and Washington. Now, that's changed. This is the first time that I can remember waking up knowing that my team, and my city, are on top. Champs. No more "Wait 'til next year". No more grousing about how the Phils don't spend any money, or why the Flyers can't solve their goaltending issues, or why the Eagles can't seem to win after New Year's. No more. That sting of losing is finally gone, hopefully forever. And to be honest, I wonder what will become of us as a fanbase and a city. Will we stop being so negative and hostile? Probably not. Will we become arrogant and even more obnoxious like Boston fans after 2004? Will we start to get some national (and international) respect and praise? Can we FINALLY stop talking about Santa Claus, batteries at J.D. Drew, the '64 collapse, and Joe Carter's HR? Who knows. All I know is that after 25 years of being looked down at and ridiculed, we're finally champions. And I gotta tell you, it is absolutely gorgeous outside.

Parade's tomorrow starting at 12:00. It'll go from 20th and Market, head down Broad St. and end up at the Sports Complex. Hopefully I'll be in a good enough spot to get some photos.

2008 WORLD CHAMPIONS!!!!!!!!!!

FINALLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We're number...five???

One sure thing about the Philadelphia Flyers - they will never go broke.

According to Forbes magazine, the O&B were the 5th most valuable team in the NHL last year, coming in with a value of $275 million. The Maple Leafs were first (again), followed by the Rangers, Montreal, and Detroit. And, thanks to the unexpected run to the conference finals, the Flyers brought in about $102 million in revenue, most of that from me and my crippling need for beer during games. One worrying factoid from this survey was that the Flyers had a negative operating income of -$1.3 million, which means that either they'll have to cut costs or I'll need to stop filling up on food before I watch a game. It's the little sacrifices that make it all worth it.

Daniel Briere underwent surgery a couple days ago to repair not one, but two abdominal tears in his chest, which will put him out of action for about a month. The team's playing really well, so it's not like we desperately need him on the ice right now. He should be back in late November along with Randy Jones.

Coming up next, a quick check on the Phantoms. For now, it's time to win the World Series.

Flyers 7, Thrashers 0

(Photo/AP)

Now here's an interesting theory proposed by none other than my own mother: since Sarah Palin, the self-proclaimed "hockey mom" who wants to be vice president, dropped the puck for the Kings-Blues game last Friday, the Flyers have won three straight games. The Blues, however, lost their starting goalie when he slipped on the red carpet she walked out on and ended up losing to L.A. 4-0. Apparently, the Palin Curse is not only real, it's transferable. Huh.

Tonight marked the 11th time in a row the Flyers have taken Atlanta's lunch money, this time walking away with a 7-0 win. It appears that the Flyers have finally broken out of their early season slump and found a way to get past their defensive struggles, which is always encouraging. Joffrey Lupul, Mike Knuble and Simon Gagne each netted two goals tonight, with Glenn Metropolit scoring the all-important seventh goal for the extra point. Antero Nittymaki got the shutout for his first win of the year, my man Mike Richards got me a couple of assists for my fantasy team, and to top it off, I think it's snowing outside. Good times.

Luca Sbisa, who seems to get better with every game, is now certain to remain with the team after the ten-game cutoff period for rookies. It's very rare that the Flyers play someone like Sbisa a lot in their first year, but then again we haven't had a defenseman this young this good in quite some time. I know a lot has to do with the injuries to Randy Jones and Derian Hatcher, but if Sbisa can put in a solid first season, the sky's the limit for him.

Speaking of the sky, a big thumbs down to Mother Nature for spoiling what could have been the greatest street party in the Western Hemisphere since Germany surrendered. I'm telling you, last night felt like Christmas Eve, New Year's Eve, and your 21st birthday all rolled into one. Everything was in place for the Phillies: a raucous home crowd, the ace pitcher on the mound, Tampa Bay reeling from the 10-2 whupping last night, and an entire city already planning the parade. Which, in retrospect, was the problem. Let this be a lesson, kids. Never plan the parade before the game is played. I have a feeling this rain delay was mostly the work of the baseball gods punishing us for looking too far ahead and believing that the Series was over. And I'll admit, I had planned on calling in sick the rest of the week (no need since my entire office cleared out around 3:00 on Monday). So, on behalf of Philly fans, I apologize and promise never to do that again. At least until the Flyers are up 3-1 in the Cup. Then all bets are off.

Flyers are back in action on Thursday to face the Islanders, then host the Edmonton Oilers on Sunday.

A weekend to remember...

(AP Photo/Tom Mihalek)

Let's see...

- The Flyers finally get back on track by sweeping the Devils...
- The Phillies win a wild one early this morning and get to do it all over in about three hours...
- The Eagles just beat Atlanta...
- Penn State looks to be on track for a Big Ten championship...
- And my Maryland Terrapins won the homecoming game against NC State...

Not a bad 72 hours in Philly, if I do say so myself.

Sharks @ Flyers tonight

7:00 @ the Wachovia Center

There's really no need explaining the importance of tonight's game. The Flyers have to win, plain and simple. San Jose is one of the best teams in the NHL, and the Flyers matched up pretty well against them this past weekend in a 5-4 overtime loss, but now it's time to get the W. Tonight is going to require the full 60-minute effort from everyone. Nittymaki will get the nod in goal tonight over Marty Biron, while Andreas Nodl will start his first NHL game and play on the third line with Jeff Carter and Scottie Upshall, according to Bill Meltzer of Hockeybuzz. The one silver lining for the O&B so far this season is that the entire city has been focused on the Phillies, who start the World Series in Tampa tonight. Usually, going 0-4-1 would have made the front page of the papers by now, but since it's all baseball, the Flyers have gotten a break from the media. However, if there was any time to get a win, it's now, especially with the home-and-home against New Jersey coming this weekend.

It's Tuesday, which means...

absolutely nothing's going on. So, in order to kill some time in between tomorrow night's World Series opener and the Flyers-Sharks game, let's take a look at some other hockey news:

- Perhaps the most interesting news today came out of The Globe and Mail, who reported that the NHL Board of Governors met informally and discussed the possibility of placing a second team in Toronto. (Side note: how exactly do the Board of Governors meet informally? What, did they run into each other at Dunkin' Donuts or something? "Hey, here to get some coffee?" "You bet! Say, why don't we put another team in Toronto?" "Another one? I didn't know they had a first one! HAR HAR HAR!!!") Anyway, the story goes on to say that RIM CEO Jim Balsillie, who wanted to move the Predators to Hamilton, may get an expansion team for southern Ontario; however, one governor is quoted as saying that expansion would make the NHL "the laughingstock of professional sports". I think if New York and Los Angeles can support multiple NHL teams, Toronto shouldn't have a problem whatsoever. I'm sure the Leafs will still sell out their games without losing too many fans.

- The Flyers announced that their game against New Jersey on Saturday will be rescheduled for 4:00 to loosen congestion down at the Sports Complex. Besides hosting an NHL game, an NFL game, and games 3 and 4 of the World Series, the Sports Complex will also have Celtic Thunder and The Who performing this weekend. Three words for all of you planning on attending: TAKE. THE. TRAIN.

- Steve Downie was sent to the Phantoms this week to make way for Andreas Nodl. Downie hasn't really been contributing all that much this season (the same can be said for a lot of players), so hopefully he can get back on track in the minors.

Let's see, what else...

- Marian Gaborik looks to be on the way out in Minnesota...Sean Avery returned to New York last night with Dallas, with the Stars winning 2-1. Apparently, Rangers fans booed him, but I'm sure they were just booing the uniform. After all, who could boo Sean Avery? That's sarcasm for all you humor-challenged out there...According to NHL.com, my CenterIce Online account should have been automatically activated on October 14. As of yet, it has not. Strike one, Mr. Bettman...

- Finally, I'd like to welcome the Mississippi Sea Wolves of the ECHL as the newest affiliate for the Flyers. The Sea Wolves are based in Biloxi, won the Kelly Cup in 1999 under current Capitals coach Bruce Boudreau, and will start their season on the 24th against the Charlotte Checkers. I guess if you're going to get demoted in the NHL, Biloxi's not a bad place to be. You got the Gulf, casinos, beaches. I'll be keeping an eye on the Sea Wolves.

- Last but not least, everyone and their brother is picking the Tampa Bay Rays to win the World Series. We're the underdogs to Tampa Bay. Phils in six.

Not gonna panic...

Unfortunately I wasn't around to recap the last two "games" for the Flyers, but I am here to proudly say that I am not hanging my head yet. Nope, it's just a little speed bump on the road to better days ahead. Every team goes through it; heck, better to get the losing out of your system now, right? Remember last season when we went winless ten games in a row which cost us first place overall in the East? Now, we got our winless streak out of the way early! Everything's fine!!!

...right?

Flyers @ Colorado tonight

9:00 @ The Pepsi Center in Denver

Lost in the euphoria that was last night's National League clinching win by the Phillies is the fact that the Flyers are 0-3. Yeah I know they got a point in Pittsburgh, but that still doesn't make up for dropping their first three games for the first time since 1994. The Avalanche are also 0-3 and need a win, but I can't worry about them.

Flyers coach John Stevens announced today that he will be shaking up the lines tonight, putting Joffrey Lupul at center along with Steve Downie and Scott Hartnell. Glenn Metropolit will center the fourth line with Riley Cote and Aaron Asham on his wings. Lupul is usually a second-line wing player, so we'll see how well he adjusts to playing in the middle tonight.

Martin Biron will be back in net while Antero Nittymaki, who did pretty well in Pittsburgh, sits out with the flu. That's all we need right now, the flu bug going around the locker room.

**Now that the Phillies have booked their spot in the World Series, Game 3 will be next Saturday night at Citizens Bank Park. However, the Flyers are scheduled to host the New Jersey Devils at 7:00 at the Wachovia Center, which is right across the street for all you not familiar with the South Philadelphia Sports Complex. This means that if the Flyers game is moved to 1:00 (I'm guessing it will), the parking lots are going to be an absolute madhouse. It'll be even worse on Sunday when the Eagles host the Atlanta Falcons with all the tailgaters in attendance. Man, I'd hate to be a Philly cop working on Broad Street that weekend.

HOLY ****!!!!

2008 NATIONAL LEAGUE CHAMPS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Penguins 3, Flyers 2 (OT)

(AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

This team just can't catch a break nowadays. I give them a lot of credit for coming back with two goals at the end of the second period to tie the score, but somehow they couldn't hold on for another ten seconds to go to a shootout. The powerplay was atrocious (what was it, like 0-6 or something?), and there seemed to be lengthy intervals where Pittsburgh just dominated the neutral zone. A couple of times, it looked like the Pens had more players out there, probably due to better positioning on their part. The Flyers once again couldn't get it done on a 5-on-3, and honestly looked like a team still getting the kinks out of the system.

A few highlights:

- Luca Sbisa looks really good out there for someone his age. I would have thought that Stevens would send him to the Phantoms, but he's holding his own out there. He even showed up on special teams tonight. If he keeps this up, I can see him becoming a top-6 offensive defenseman real soon.
- Simon Gagne scored again, though he still makes me cringe every time he goes into the corner.
- Riley Cote and Erik Godard got into a pretty decent heavyweight bout in the first. I'm all for fighting and letting your enforcers go at it, but isn't there an unwritten rule about removing your helmet first? No sense in breaking your hand in a fight, plus it evens up the odds. This weekend, when Jarome Iginla and Willie Mitchell fought, both guys took their helmets off. Good veteran move. Iggy straight dropped Mitchell with a left hook. Beautiful.
- To be honest, the Pens didn't impress me all that much save for their superior work in the neutral zone. I still think we can come out ahead of them come April and take the division, but right now the Flyers need to play the full 60 minutes.

Flyers head out to Denver to play the Avalanche, then to California to face the San Jose Sharks. Speaking of Cali, the Phils are one game away now from the World Series. ONE. I know it's breaking all the hearts over at Fox Sports since they won't get their precious Dodgers-Sox matchup (Tampa's killing Boston right now 11-2 in the eighth). Ah well.

Seriously, the Phils win tomorrow night and this place will go nuts.

Flyers @ Pittsburgh

Flyers will start Antero Nittymaki tonight, giving Martin Biron the much-needed night off to get his head straight. This isn't a must win game in terms of the standings, but in terms of momentum the Flyers need this win. Game's on Versus for all you in the States, TSN2 in Canada.

Canadiens 5, Flyers 3

(AP Photo/Tom Mihalek)

I didn't do a recap of Saturday night's season opener in order to avoid a long political rant. Tonight, however, is a different story. I know it's early and the Flyers still have some issues on the blueline (which they attempted to fix by acquiring Andrew Alberts from Boston today), but I have some cause for concern after the boys got beat 5-3 against the Habs. First off, Martin Biron just looks shaky. Mike Komisarek's goal never should have bounced in the way it did. I know it's only the second game and we have to look ahead to tomorrow night in Pittsburgh, but giving up seven goals in two games is not exactly confidence-building. The Flyers had their opportunities to put Montreal away with the powerplay, only to go 2-7 including a 5-on-3 where absolutely nothing happened. On a positive note, it is good to see Simon Gagne getting his scoring touch back.




On a tragic note, I was shocked to hear that Rangers prospect Alexei Cherepanov collapsed and died today while playing for his club Avangard Omsk in the KHL. He was only 19. According to the news report, he suffered a heart attack and collapsed during the third period. The team doctors tried to revive him, but he passed away in the hospital. From what I've read about him, he had world-class talent. The fact that he slipped all the way down to the 17th spot for New York to grab him in 2007 was surprising. My condolences to his family.

(AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)

In the words of the late, great Heath Ledger...

"And...here...we...GO"

Tonight the Flyers finally get to drop the gloves (sorry, puck) for real as they open the season against New York at the CoreStates/First Union/Wachovia/Wells Fargo Center in South Philly. I really have high expectations for this team this year, and it would be nice to start with a win over the Rangers, who already have two games under their belt after their European road trip with Tampa. The Rangers will go with Henrik Lundqvist in goal, while Martin Biron will hopefully improve on last season and establish himself as a true #1 in the NHL.

Most of the talk surrounding this game tonight has been about the makeshift defense John Stevens is putting on the ice tonight. Luca Sbisa, who had a fantastic preseason, will be on the team due to Randy Jones and Ryan Parent's surgeries and subsequent recovery time. As of now, the Flyers have six defensemen dressed for tonight, which makes me wonder if they won't bring back Bryan Berard for insurance. It's a little unsettling since the D is kind of young, but I think they'll get through tonight.

The other big news is that Sarah Palin, self-professed hockey mom and vide-presidential candidate, will be dropping the puck before the game. Gotta be honest, I don't like it. One, it sends the message that the Flyers are endorsing a candidate. Wrong move. Secondly, this is one of the most Democratic, blue-collar, union cities in the nation. Sending out someone who represents the exact opposite of that is a bad move. Plus, there's no way she doesn't get booed, which is something I don't think she's used to hearing. In fact, this may move Santa Claus out of the top three best moments for Philly fans. I was looking forward to hockey to take my mind off of this ridiculous election (no matter who wins, we're heading for hard times), so I'm not on board with this. Play the game and keep your politics out of my rink.

Oh yeah, the Phillies are two games away from the World Series. Two games. This hasn't happened since 1993, but I can't get too excited yet. We have this annoying habit of blowing series leads, so I'm not going to get too jumpy until the Phils close out the Dodgers. And speaking of which, this article in the Los Angeles Times came out prior to Game 1. Pretty much your typical boilerplate "Philly fans are bad" garbage. I will say, there is some irony in a writer hailing from the gang capital of America calling us thugs. Yes, Philadelphians booed Santa. Los Angelenos would have shot him for wearing red in the wrong neighborhood. Phils-Sox in the Series.

Drop...The...Puck.

I've been a bad blogger

Sorry. Things have gotten seriously busy since the last time I posted (including possibly moving to a new job once all the paperwork comes through), so I missed out on the rest of the preseason. I will be doing my quick Flyers preview before Saturday's opener against New York.

Until then, GO PHILS!!!