Saturday, February 23, 2008
SIXERS NEWS
After a tough loss to Orlando last night the Sixers shot on over to Miami to face the now Shaqless Heat. Still, Shaq or no Shag, the Sixers still needed every ounce of effort possible to hang on in this one. Offensively, four Sixers scored in double figures(Willie Green, Andre Miller, Andre Iguodala, Louis Williams) with Miller and Iggy's 24 each leading the way. Defensively, Samuel Dalembert lead the way with 11 rebounds and a block, and Iguodala chipped in for 12 rebounds as the Sixers dominated the boards 50-33. However, with 23 turnovers the Sixers were sloppy with the ball and so Miami was able to hang around when they shouldn't have able to. In the first quarter of play, the Sixers jumped out a 5 point lead, with the score 24-19. In the second quarter Miami rallied back and by the half it was only a 2 point game, with the score 51-49. In the third quarter of play, Miami continued to rally and heading into 4th quarter, it was all tied at 73. In the 4th quarter the two teams were even all the way and by the end of regulation it was still all tied up at 91. Finally, in the overtime period ,Miami took the lead early, but the Sixers battled back, pulled ahead with just over a minute to play and hung on to win 101-96. So the Sixers improve to 25-32 overall, but remain 4th in the Atlantic division and 8th in the Eastern conference.
FLYERS NEWS
The Flyer's downhill plummet continued tonight in more ways than one as they dropped their 10th in a row, to the Florida Panthers. Antero Niittymaki got the start in goal and despite facing 40 shots on goal, in regulation, he only allowed on goal. So almost single-handedly he kept the Flyer's in it but it wasn't enough. In the first period of play there was no score. Early in the 2nd period of play Danny Briere, who had been in a bit of a slump himself lit the lamp for a 1-0 Flyer's lead. For a while it appeared that goal would be the only one of the night en route to a Niittymaki shutout and a huge Flyer's win. Instead with just over 8 minutes to play, Jay Bouwmeester scored Florida's first goal of the night to forge a 1-1 tie and thwart the Flyer's chances for a win. From there both teams were scoreless until the end of regulation, setting the stage for an overtime period. There, the two teams combined for only 4 shots on goal, the Flyers with 1, and Florida with 3, but all the Panthers would need would be their last shot. Only 3 minutes into the period the Panthers went on the power play and Olli Jokinen slapped in a power play goal to win it for the Panthers 2-1. So the Flyer's drop to 30-26-7 overall, but since this was an overtime loss, they do earn a point, and at least for now, move back into a tie for 4th place in the Atlantic division. Sadly, things only got worse afterwards when the Flyers learned that Mike Richards had gone down with a torn hamstring during the game and will likely miss 3 weeks, and so this losing streak may never end.
Friday, February 22, 2008
SIXERS NEWS
After their dominating win over the Knicks Wednesday, the Sixers traveled to Orlando to face the Magic. A win for the Sixers would have proved to the NBA that they are legitimate playoff contenders and maybe that they belong among the Eastern conference elite. Instead after a tough loss this game only proved that the Sixers aren't quite ready to make that step yet. Still, a playoff visit, providing them with invaluable experience is within reach for them. Offensively, four Sixers scored in double figures(Andre Iguodala, Andre Miller, Willie Green, Louis Williams) with Miller and Iggy's 25 each leading the way. Defensively, it was another quality team effort, but it was of little consequence in a game such as this between two teams with similar skill sets. In short, it came down not to who played well and who didn't, but rather to which team played their game better, and clearly at this point that mental victory will still go superman, Dwight Howard, and the Magic every time. Through the first period of play the Magic jumped out to a ten point lead with the score 26-16. In the second quarter of play, Orlando stayed firm and increased their lead to thirteen, with the score 53-40 at the half. In the 3rd quarter of play the Sixers sunk their teeth in and got back into it cutting the lead to 10, with score 76-66 heading into the 4th. Finally, in the 4th quarter of play, the Sixers stayed with Orlando most of time, but try as they might they couldn't pull back even with them, and eventually the Magic held on to win, 115-99, a final score cleary misleading the reader to believe the game was not closer than it would indicate. So the Sixers drop to 24-32 overall, but remain 4th in the Atlantic division, still .5 games behind the Nets and still 8th in the Eastern conference.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
FLYERS NEWS
The misery continues for the Flyers, as they welcomed the San Jose Sharks to the Wachovia Center tonight. Once again the defense lagged. Once again Marty Biron was left to face a barrage of 40 shots on goal and to his credit somehow only allowed three goals. Once again the Flyers couldn't come up with much offense and actually failed to even register a power play opportunity, let alone a goal. Once again with this their 10th straight loss it can't get any worse than this. Late in the first period of play Jonathan Cheecho scored for a 1-0 Sharks lead. Late in the second period of play Mike Knuble scored to tie it up at 1 for the Flyers. Early in the third period of play Milan Michalek and Douglas Murray each scored a minute between each other for a quick 3-1 Sharks lead. From there the Flyers had no answer and succumbed to the Sharks 3-1. So the Flyers drop to 30-25-6 overall and into last place in the Atlantic division, and more depressingly down into 10th place in the Eastern conference.
PHILLIES NEWS
The verdict is in and the winner of the abritration hearing between the Phils and Ryan Howard is Ryan Howard which means he will get the $10 million from the Phils that he deserves, instead of the 7 million they were trying to give him. Although this matter probably shouldn't have needed to go to arbitration, it is good to see the right party come out on top. If only all arbitration hearings could go like this.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
SIXERS NEWS
The Sixers regrouped from their crushing loss in Minnesota on Monday and returned to the friendly confines of the Wachovia center to take their frustrations out on the woeful Knicks. Offensively, six Sixers scored in double figures(Andre Miller, Willie Green, Andre Iguodala, Thaddeus Young, Louis Williams, Rodney Carney) with Green's 21 leading the way. Miller also chipped in with 10 assists, so the Sixer's offense scored early, often, and never stopped firing. Defensively, it was a team effort, and a good one, even though they didn't need to be. The Knicks played so poorly that even an average defensive night for the Sixers would have held their offense in check. All told the Sixers' out rebounded New York, 43-31, forced them to commit a whopping 23 turnovers, and held them to just 45.9% shooting from the field. In short, it was just an ugly night for the Knicks. Through the first quarter of play, the Sixers jumped out to a convincing 20 point lead, with the score 37-17, and never looked back. In the second quarter the Sixers lead only grew to 36, with the score 72-36 at the half. In the 3rd quarter of play the Sixers continued to dominate as their lead ballooned to 45, with the score 102-57. Basically the game was over at this point, but the rules say you have to play 4 quarters so they did and when it was over, the Sixers had destroyed the Knicks by 40, with final score 124-84. So the Sixers improve to 24-31 overall but remain in 4th place in the Atlantic division and 8th in the Eastern Conference.
FLYERS NEWS
There is more bad news for the Flyers tonight. Simon Gagne is reportedly done for the season after his most recent mild concussion. He has continued to experience symptoms from it and apparently will not be able to come back from it this season. I just hope he's not done for good, like Keith Primeau and Eric Lindros before him.
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
SIXERS NEWS
While the Flyers started it, the Sixers finished the excruciating night for Philly sports against the Timberwolves in Minnesota. After finishing the first half of the season with 5 straight wins, the Sixers were looking to pick up where they left off to start the second half of the season. Instead the T-wolves had other ideas. Offensively, three Sixers scored in double figures(Andre Miller, Thaddeus Young, Andre Iguodala) with Iggy's 17 leading the way. Defensively, It was a team effort and not a very good one as the Sixers were out rebounded 45-39, and allowed the T-Wolves to shoot nearly 50% from the field. It was the defense, specifically, timely steals and rebounds that had carried the Sixers through their winning streak and without it they were lost. In the first quarter of play, the T-Wolves jumped out to a six point lead with the score 23-17. In the 2nd quarter the T-wolves continued to play solid ball, and increased their lead to 9, with the score 53-44. In the 3rd quarter Minnesota continued to front run and increased their lead to 12, with the score, 74-62. Finally, in the 4th quarter Minnesota simply continued to hold the Sixer's at arm's length and pushed their lead to 16 for the laughable final score, 104-88. So the Sixers drop to 23-31 overall and back into 4th place in the Atlantic division, by .5 games.
FLYERS NEWS
The Flyers began an excruciating night tonight for Philly sports, by taking it on the chin in Ottawa at the hands of the Eastern conference leading Senators, for their 8th straight loss. Marty Biron got the start in goal, and had a solid night as the Flyer's defense picked up again and allowed only 25 shots on goal, of which Biron saved 23. Early in the first period of play Chris Kelly scored shorthanded for 1-0 Senators lead. Late in the 2nd period of play Antoine Vermette scored for a 2-0 Ottawa lead. A few minutes later Kimmo Timonen answered for the Flyers to cut the lead to 2-1. Early in the 3rd period of play, Scottie Upshall tied it at 2. Thanks to the solid play of Biron and his counterpart Ray Emery it stayed that way until the end of regulation. The overtime period went scoreless, setting the stage for a decisive shootout. In the first round of the shootout both teams came up empty. In the second round of the shootout, Timonen scored for the Flyers, and Vermette scored for Ottawa, to tie the shootout at 1. In the 3rd round of the shootout Danny Briere failed to score for the Flyers , while Jason Spezza scored to win it for Ottawa. So Ottawa got the 3-2 win in a shootout and the Flyers drop to 30-24-6 overall, but since the game went to a shootout, they at least get a point for their troubles and remain in 4th place in the Atlantic division.
Monday, February 18, 2008
Sunday, February 17, 2008
FLYERS NEWS
The Flyers continued to struggle tonight as they finished their home and home with the Canadiens at home in the Wachovia center. Antero Niittymaki got another start in goal after his stellar performance in the Flyer's last game and well, he wasn't so stellar this time around, but that had more to do wth the Flyer's defense that allowed 32 shots on goal, than with him. Anyway, midway through the first period of play, Alexie Kovalev made it 1-0 Montreal. A few minutes later Mike Richards tied at 1 for the Flyers. Then late in the period Fredrick Bouillon made it 2-1 Habs. Early in the second period of play Braydon Coburn tied it at 2 for the Flyers. A couple minutes later Mike Ryder made it 3-2 Montreal. Then late in the period Saku Koivu made it 4-2 Montreal. It stayed that way until with less than two minutes to play in the 3rd period, the Flyers pulled Niittymaki in an attempt to come up with one last rally. It didn't work. Micheal Lapierre scored on the empty net for a 5-2 Habs lead and that was about all she wrote. With under 20 seconds to play Riley Cote scored a meaningless goal to make the final score 5-3 Canadiens. So the Flyers drop to 30-24-5 overall and down to 4th place in the Atlantic division.
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