There's been a lot of talk lately, some of it warranted and some not, about the Flyers not putting in full efforts night in and night out. Unfortunately tonight was no different, but this time they at least had a decent excuse with Chris Pronger out, Blair Betts still out, and James Van Reimsdyk loaned to the Phantoms for the night to make room for waiver pickup, defenseman Nick Boynton. Unfortunately Boynton couldn't make it out to Ottawa for the game tonight, so rookie Erik Gustaffson, recently called up from the Phantoms, took his place in lineup and in turn forced JVR to sit the night out. As a result the Orange and Black just didn't have the same energy tonight as they've had most of the season until recently. Still with the Senators, last in the Eastern conference, their opponents they shouldn't have needed that much energy. In the end though they just picked wrong night to come into Ottawa flat.
It was really just a bad night for the Flyers all around. They went 0 for 4 on the power play while allowing the Senators to go 2 for 3. Brian Boucher was also mediocre stopping just 25 of 29 shots. Moreover the Orange and Black compiled just 31 shots on goal and only 16 all together after the first period. In the 1st period things looked good as the Flyers out shot Ottawa 15 -3 and took a 1-0 lead as Nikolay Zherdev fed Scott Hartnell perfectly on a breakaway score. Unfortunately after that the Flyers just seemed to shut it down completely, while the Senators amped it up physically the rest of the way and rolled a disheartening and disconcerting 4-1 win. Hopefully this was only a one night thing for the Flyers but it does make you wonder a bit.
Saturday, February 26, 2011
PHILLIES NEWS
The Phils started spring on the the right foot as Cole Hamels allowed 1 run on 1hit while striking out 2 in 2 innings, and Dane Sardinha cracked a RBI single in thee 8th inning to lift the Phils over the Yankees 5-4 in their spring training opener. The Phils also played the Yankees in a B game, losing 8-1 as Danys Baez struggled mightily in relief.
Friday, February 25, 2011
SIXERS NEWS
The Sixers welcomed the Pistons to the Wells Fargo center tonight as they looked to hit the .500 mark for the first time all season. Prior to the game the Pistons staged a semi protest against head coach John Kuestner and as a result, only 6 Detroit players dressed for the game. So after a half they weren't much of an obstacle. The Sixers again were too much on both sides of the ball. Defensively, they racked up another 8 blocks and 7 steals and ruled the glass 49-32. Offensively, the Sixers shot 52% from the field in a dunk fest as the 5 Sixers scored in double figures. Andre Iguodala led the way with 21, 11 rebounds, and 7 assists, while Elton Brand notched another double double with 20 and 17 rebounds and Jrue Holiday did likewise with 12 and 10 rebounds. Thad Young and Mo Speights were also big off the bench, with 24 and 12 respectively.
The Sixers took control right away with a 7 point lead after the 1st quarter of play. They continued to play well in the 2nd quarter but couldn't quite shake the Pistons just yet with just a 10 point lead the half. The Pistons continued to hang in there in the 3rd quarter as the Sixers took an 11 point lead into the 4th quarter. Finally in the 4th quarter the Pistons tired and began turning the ball over, leading to a series of fast breaks and dunks that helped the Sixers build their lead into the 20s before cruising to a 16 point win, 110-94.
The Sixers took control right away with a 7 point lead after the 1st quarter of play. They continued to play well in the 2nd quarter but couldn't quite shake the Pistons just yet with just a 10 point lead the half. The Pistons continued to hang in there in the 3rd quarter as the Sixers took an 11 point lead into the 4th quarter. Finally in the 4th quarter the Pistons tired and began turning the ball over, leading to a series of fast breaks and dunks that helped the Sixers build their lead into the 20s before cruising to a 16 point win, 110-94.
Thursday, February 24, 2011
FLYERS NEWS
After falling to the Coyotes in overtime the Flyers looked to right the ship tonight as they welcomed the New York Islanders to Wells Fargo center. Coming in the Flyers had defeated the Islanders 10 straight times. Make that 11. It wasn't easy though. Sergei Bobrovsky had to have another spectacular night stopping 32 of 35 shots, Claude Giroux had to be superman with 2 assists and great hustle alll night, and Andrej Meszaros had to be a late hero again.
Early on the Islanders scored on a breakaway and actually led 1-0 after the 1st period. It was all Flyers in the 2nd period with Scott Hartnell and Mike Richards teaming up to knot it at 1, and Giroux setting up James Van Reimsdyk with an open net for a 2-1 lead. Early in the 3rd period Claude Giroux was at it again, assisting Jeff Carter for a 3-1 lead. Unfortunately it didn't last. Matt Martin scored twice in the final 15 minutes to tie things up at 3 and then game went into overtime. There with just 18 seconds remaining, Andrej Meszaros drilled one past Al Montoya to secure the 4-3 Flyer win.
Early on the Islanders scored on a breakaway and actually led 1-0 after the 1st period. It was all Flyers in the 2nd period with Scott Hartnell and Mike Richards teaming up to knot it at 1, and Giroux setting up James Van Reimsdyk with an open net for a 2-1 lead. Early in the 3rd period Claude Giroux was at it again, assisting Jeff Carter for a 3-1 lead. Unfortunately it didn't last. Matt Martin scored twice in the final 15 minutes to tie things up at 3 and then game went into overtime. There with just 18 seconds remaining, Andrej Meszaros drilled one past Al Montoya to secure the 4-3 Flyer win.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
SIXERS NEWS
The Sixers returned from the all star break tonight with a matchup against John Wall and the Wizards at the Wells Fargo center. Coming in the Wizards were just 1-28 on the road this season and the Sixers were geared up to ensure things wouldn't get any better in this one. Frankly they were just too good for Washington on this night. Defensively, they racked up 7 blocks and 6 steals and destroyed the Wizards on the boards, 49-34. Offensively, they shot 51% from the field, 47% from beyond, and 87% from the line as 7 Sixers scored in double figures. Jrue Holiday led the way with 20 on 66% shooting. Among the starters, Elton Brand also had 15 and 6 rebounds, Andre Iguodala had 10, 5 assists, and 7 rebounds, and Jodie Meeks drilled a pair of threes and wound up with 12. Meanwhile, off the bench Evan Turner had 15 and 8 rebounds, Thad Young had 18 and 10 reobunds, and Mo Speights in rare extended playing time, put up 14 and 7 rebounds.
Believe it or not Washington actually came out shooting well and took a 31-24 lead after a quarter of play. The Sixers picked up in the 2nd quarter and rallied ahead by 5 at the half. They then dominated the 3rd quarter and rolled into the 4th quarter up by 24. The two teams essentially traded baskets the rest of the way as the Sixers cruised to a 23 point win, 117-94.
Believe it or not Washington actually came out shooting well and took a 31-24 lead after a quarter of play. The Sixers picked up in the 2nd quarter and rallied ahead by 5 at the half. They then dominated the 3rd quarter and rolled into the 4th quarter up by 24. The two teams essentially traded baskets the rest of the way as the Sixers cruised to a 23 point win, 117-94.
FLYERS NEWS
The Flyers have waived forward Nikolay Zherdev. This is not a surprise as he's played very sparingly for most of the season, due to his lack of commitment on the defense end and his inability to fit in with the Orange and Black's other forwards. He now has to pass through waivers to join the Phantoms for now. It's doubtful anyone will claim before he does.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
FLYERS NEWS
The Flyers scoring woes continued tonight at home as the Coyotes visited the Wells Fargo center. They did have 37 shots on goal which is okay, but only one of them found the net. They also continued to struggle on the power play, going 0 for 5. Still, the defense continued to be very good, holding Phoenix to just 29 shots on goal and 1 for 4 on the power play. Sergei was a big part of that 1 for 4 with 26 strong savesm but in the end his efforts came up just a bit short and that was the difference.
Just 6 minutes into the 1st period Matt Carle and Danny Briere assisted Ville Leino for a 1-0 lead. Thanks to the Flyers defense and Bobrovsky it stayed that way all the way into the 3rd period. Just a couple minutes into the 3rd the Coyotes knotted things up at 1. Then about halfway through the period Phoenix went up 2-1. Just when it seemed the Coyotes were headed to victory, Jeff Carter and Mike Richards teamed up to assist Claude Giroux on the equalizer with a just over a minute to play. Neither team scored again in regulation after that and the game went into overtime. Just under 3 minutes into the overtime period Shane Doan beat Bobrovsky for the 3-2 Coyotes win.
Just 6 minutes into the 1st period Matt Carle and Danny Briere assisted Ville Leino for a 1-0 lead. Thanks to the Flyers defense and Bobrovsky it stayed that way all the way into the 3rd period. Just a couple minutes into the 3rd the Coyotes knotted things up at 1. Then about halfway through the period Phoenix went up 2-1. Just when it seemed the Coyotes were headed to victory, Jeff Carter and Mike Richards teamed up to assist Claude Giroux on the equalizer with a just over a minute to play. Neither team scored again in regulation after that and the game went into overtime. Just under 3 minutes into the overtime period Shane Doan beat Bobrovsky for the 3-2 Coyotes win.
Monday, February 21, 2011
Sunday, February 20, 2011
FLYERS NEWS
The Flyers finally finished off their road trip this afternoon in New York as they took on the Rangers with Hockey Day in America bragging rights on the line. Looking exhausted from their trip, and undermanned with Blair Betts still out, Mike Richards still limited by the Flu, and Sean O'Donnell lost to an injury just two minutes into the game, the Flyers put forth their most courageous performance of the season thus far. Even Brian Boucher got into the act, playing through a stinger with the game on the line in the 3rd period and not missing a beat, as he racked up 37 saves in an awesome effort. Equally impressive were Jeff Carter and Claude Giroux who each had a goal and an assist. Perhaps most impressive though was the restraint of the Orange and Black who did not commit penalty all afternoon.
Halfway through the 1st period the Flyers actually trailed 1-0. Just a few minutes after falling behind they evened up at 1 as Claude Giroux and Scott Hartnell setup Jeff Carter for the score. Halfway through the 2nd period Carter backhanded a centering pass to Giroux who fired it in for a 2-1 lead. A few minutes later Braydon Coburn and Daroll Powe assisted Dan Carcillo for a 3-1 lead. New York then dominated much of 3rd period, cutting the lead to 3-2 just 5 minutes into the period and right after Boucher suffered the stinger. Boucher ensured New York would not get the equalizer after that and with about 50 seconds to play Kris Versteeg netted an empty netter for his first goal as a Flyer to cap off the stirring 4-2 victory. With the win the Flyers move to 83 points overall and remain 8 points up in the Eastern conference and 6 points up in the Atlantic division.
Halfway through the 1st period the Flyers actually trailed 1-0. Just a few minutes after falling behind they evened up at 1 as Claude Giroux and Scott Hartnell setup Jeff Carter for the score. Halfway through the 2nd period Carter backhanded a centering pass to Giroux who fired it in for a 2-1 lead. A few minutes later Braydon Coburn and Daroll Powe assisted Dan Carcillo for a 3-1 lead. New York then dominated much of 3rd period, cutting the lead to 3-2 just 5 minutes into the period and right after Boucher suffered the stinger. Boucher ensured New York would not get the equalizer after that and with about 50 seconds to play Kris Versteeg netted an empty netter for his first goal as a Flyer to cap off the stirring 4-2 victory. With the win the Flyers move to 83 points overall and remain 8 points up in the Eastern conference and 6 points up in the Atlantic division.
EAGLES NEWS
The Eagles have signed ex Bengals LB Rashad Jeanty. He started 32 games for the Bengals from 2006-2009 and was a standout on special teams before breaking his fibula while blocking for Bernard Scott on his 56 yard touchdown return during the Bengals 2009 wild card playoff game. He hasn't played since as the Bengals released him back in the 2010 preseason. For the Eagles he simply adds what a little veteran depth the Eagles can add until a new CBA is signed. At most for the Birds he'll be a special teams player or he won't make the team at all.
In other more somber Bird's news, hall of fame running back Ollie Matson, who spent his last 3 seasons with the Eagles from 1964-1966, died Sunday of respiratory failure. He was 80 years old.
In other more somber Bird's news, hall of fame running back Ollie Matson, who spent his last 3 seasons with the Eagles from 1964-1966, died Sunday of respiratory failure. He was 80 years old.
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