Flyers off to perfect start

Sunday October 4, 2009 • 1 Comment 

It’s only two games into the NHL season, but the Philadelphia Flyers sure look fine tuned.

The Flyers gave Devils goaltender Martin Brodeur headache after headache Saturday night, beating the future Hall of Famer five times in a 5-2 win.

On the other side of the ice, Flyers goalie Ray Emery put together his second strong performance, bringing a shutout into the third period. Emery made is Flyers debut on Friday and shutout the Carolina Panthers, 2-0.

Emery, who played in Russia last season, made 24 saves Saturday. Meanwhile, Brodeur, who was playing in the 1,000th game of his career, struggled all night and the Flyers took advantage.

 Philadelphia had a balanced attacked, getting contributions from all four lines. Jeff Carter, Mike Richards, Ian Laperriere, Daroll Powe and Matt Carle each scored as the outcome was never in doubt.

While he didn’t score, Flyers rookie James VanRiemsdyk may have been the best player on the ice. VanRiemsdyk, who grew up in North Jersey, was all over the ice making plays and chimed in with two assists. Expectations were high for the rookie entering the season and he has not disappointed.

While the early results look great for the Flyers we will know a lot more about the team this time next week. The Flyers have games against the Capitals, Penguins and Ducks coming up. It should be a fun week for the Orange and Black and its fans.

It’s early, but it’s never too early to get excited.



The Broad Street Bullies are Back !

Friday October 2, 2009 • 1 Comment 

The Flyers opened up their season with a game against the Carolina Hurricanes and seemed to be taking a page out of the Phillies book.  6 different players contributed offensively in the 2-0 victory, showing they are a well balanced offensive squad. 

Ray Emery made 28 saves en route to an opening day shutout.   Tonight the Flyers friend was as usual, the power play.  This was Emerys third straight appearance where he shutout the Canes, who appear to have trouble figuring out how to score on the goalie who made his triumphant return from Russia with an exclamation point on a second period save reminiscent of Ronnie Hextall  that had the fans roaring in appreciation.

Overall a good start to a long and grueling NHL season where the pollsters pick the Flyers to be in the top five overall in the league.  Scott Burnstein has them ranked at #3  behind the Penguins and the Sharks.  Carolina led in every statistical category except takeaways and goals allowed, but those are the two that matter the most in the NHL.

Carcillo looked a little rough, but with that one exception, the Flyers are looking like a competitive club this year, and I am interested to see how they continue with the opening day win and the momentum on their side.  Overall the game was about what I expected and fairly uneventful.  The first period the teams seemed to be feeling each other out, and the second and third period rarely saw the teams at even strength so one could get an impression of how they matched up.  As far as the guy in goal, Philadelphia had the superior player in that position without any doubt.  I think the city could well have the potential at multiple championships this year, but it is early yet, so I will harness my excitement for the moment and say simply, well done.