Saturday, February 02, 2008
FLYERS NEWS
Slightly derailed after a shutout loss to the New York Rangers in their last game, the Flyers got right back on track tonight by returning the favor to the big bad Anaheim, "don't call them mighty" Ducks. Marty Biron got the start in goal(Antero Nittymaki took the loss against the Rangers) saved all 27 shots he faced to the lead the Orange and Black to a satisfying victory that kept them a top the Atlantic division. The First period of play was scoreless as two teams locked in a defensive stalemate. In the 2nd period of play Mike Knuble scored twice to break the stalemate, once early in the period at even strength and then again late in the period on the power play, for a 2-0 Flyers lead. Early in the 3rd period Knuble scored again to cap off a hat trick and the Flyers scoring, as Biron controlled things the rest of the way to close the 3-0 win. So the Flyers improve to 29-17-5 overall and remain in first place in the Atlantic division.
Friday, February 01, 2008
SIXERS NEWS
Fresh off their dominating victory over the Milwaukee Bucks, the Sixers got a chance to knock off the Atlantic division leading Orlando Magic, which would have been even more special. The game itself was a special kind of back and forth thriller, an epic battle to the finish if you will, but unfortunately despite their best efforts the Sixers fell just short in the end. Offensively, six Sixers scored in double figures (Andre Iguodala, Andre Miller, Willie Green, Thaddeus Young, Samuel Dalembert, Louis Williams) with Miller's 23, to go along with 11 assists, leading the way. Defensively, neither the Sixers nor the Magic were much of a factor as the game was a shootout throughout with both teams shooting over 50% from the field, although Orlando did have a bit of a size advantage with behemoth Dwight Howard pulling down 14 rebounds to generate a 42-33 rebounding advantage in favor of the Magic. Not surprisingly it would be this size advantage that eventually got Orlando the win. Through the first quarter of play, It was all knotted up at 33 with both teams getting off to a fast start. By the half the Sixers had eked ahead by 1, with the score 60-59. In the 3rd quarter Orlando jumped ahead by 3, with the score 87-84. Finally in the 4th quarter it came right down to the wire. With just over a minute and a half to play Iggy tied it at 106 with a layup. Unfortunately, Iggy followed that up by fouling Hedo Turkoglu with 2 seconds to play. Turkoglu calmly sunk two free throws and Orlando led 108-106. The Sixers immediately called a timeout and had one final chance to inbound the ball and score for a tie or the win. Andre Miller attempted to throw it in to Dalembert for the tie, but couldn't throw it in over the taller Magic, and instead Dwight Howard stole it and ran out the clock for a 108-106 Magic victory. So the Sixers drop to 18-29 overall, but remain in 4th place in the Atlantic division.
Thursday, January 31, 2008
FLYERS NEWS
The Slumping New York Rangers visited the Wachovia center tonight and treated the host Flyers rudely. Steven Valiquette made his first start of the season in goal for the Rangers, replacing the usually solid Henrick Lundquist. Ordinarily you would assume that to be a big advantage for the Flyers. Instead it proved to be the other way around as Valiquette saved a measely 20 shots en route to shutting out the Orange and Black. Sure, the Ranger's defense made it easy on him, but it was still a superb performance by Valiquette and just what the doctor ordered for New York. Midway through the first period Noah Dawes made it 1-0 Rangers. Then late in the period Peter Prucha made it 2-0 Rangers. Early the 2nd period Chris Drury and Brendan Shanahan each scored to push the lead to 4-0 Rangers. The 3rd period was scoreless as the two teams combined for just 18 shots on goal, to close out a dreary 4-0 Rangers victory. So for one night at least, the Broad Street express was derailed, as the Flyers drop to 28-17-5 overall, but remain a top the Atlantic division.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
SIXERS NEWS
The Sixers came into tonight's game at the wachovia center with the Milwaukee Bucks, having lost 7 of their last 10 games. Despite all that they were still somehow in 4th place in the Atlantic division and only 2 games behind the 3rd place Nets, who also happen to be the current 8th seed in the Eastern conference. That's right coming into tonight the Sixers were only 2 games out of the final playoff spot in the Eastern conference and now after a dominating performance they're even closer. Offensively, seven Sixers scored in double figures(Andre Miller, Andre Iguodala, Samuel Dalembert, Willie Green, Thaddeus Young, Reggie Evans, Rodney Carney) with Iggy's 18 leading the way. Defensively, it was a team effort and a good one at that. The Sixers out rebounded Milwaukee 45-33, held them to just 38% shooting from the field, and forced them into 21 costly turnovers. The Sixers jumped out to an early 27-18 lead in the 1st quarter and never looked back. By the half, the lead was up to 19, with the score 51-32. Through the 3rd quarter, the lead had ballooned to 30, with the score 77-47. Finally, in the 4th quarter the slaughter continued until the Sixers had won laughably by 43 points, with the final score 112-69. So the Sixers improve to 18-28 overall and while still 4th in the Atlantic division are now just 1 and 1/2 games out of the last playoff spot in the Eastern conference. Can you dig it?
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
FLYERS NEWS
The Flyers returned from the All-star break tonight, by welcoming the L.A Kings to the Wachovia center. Marty Biron got an increasingly rare start in goal, and made the most of it saving 29 of the 31 shots he faced to help keep the Flyers in it from beginning to end. Through the first period of play the game was scoreless. Early in the 2nd period Braydon Coburn put the Flyers up 1-0. Less than a minute late Anze Kopitar tied it at one for the Kings. Early in the 3rd period Simon Gagne put the Flyers up again 2-1. Late in the period Matt Moulson tied it at 2 for the Kings. From there, Biron and fellow goaltender J.LaBarbera kept it that way until the end of regulation. The resulting overtime period was fast paced as always and dominated by the Flyers who had 3 shots on goal and created countless chances to score throughout the period, while L.A could muster only 1 shot on goal and handful of chances. Finally on the last of those chances, with under 30 seconds in the period, Scott Hartnell redirected a shot sprayed on goal by Mike Richards, resulting in a score and a 3-2 Flyer's victory. So the Flyers improve to 28-16-5 overall and move into first place in the Atlantic division all by their lonesome. Can you dig it!
PHILLIES NEWS
The Phils made their biggest move of the off season yesterday agreeing on a 2 year $8.5 million deal with free agent 3rd baseman Pedro Feliz. This is the deal they have been trying to make all off season. Clearly they weren't comfortable with the tandem of Greg Dobbs and Wes Helms holding the hot the corner and now they don't have to be. Feliz is a clear upgrade over that tandem. He is an excellent fielder and a slugger with 21 homers for the Giants last season. At the Citizens Bank that total could easily balloon to 30 or more. Moreover, the Phils can now send Helms packing if they can find someone stupid enough to take his contract. So the Phils lineup is pretty well set now, and if they can just bring in one more pitcher or resign one of their current pitchers(paging Kyle Lohse) they might just have the team to beat in the NL East again. Just don't tell the Mets they might collapse late again.
Monday, January 28, 2008
Sunday, January 27, 2008
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