The Fat Lady Has Sung

     Well that's it for the Flyers, folks.  The regular season is over and without having clinched a playoff spot, the boys are on the outside looking in.  There are a few positives to mention, however.  For one, goalie, Steve Mason, had his 100th career win in the Flyers' last regular season game and a few rookies had accomplished some milestones in their first year.

     There are a lot of questions up in the air about who is going to be a part of the team by the beginning of the 2013/2014 season and who is going to be traded off of the team.  Will Mason take Bryz's spot as the lead goalie?  Will Danny Briere go on to play with another team?  Will Claude Giroux continue to wear the C of captain on his chest?  Like I said, there are a bunch of questions that we're going to have answers to in the months to come.

     It's been fun writing about the Flyers this season and I really want to thank the people who have been reading what I've been writing.  You guys are alright in my book.  Really the only thing that's left to say is that at least we finished one point above the Devils.  It's funny how some of the biggest rivalries can draw people together.  Enjoy the playoffs, everyone.

-Faithful Flyers Fan

Out But Not Down

     Well the Flyers are officially out of contention for a playoff spot.  With four games left (possible 8 points), they were 9 points short of the last playoff spot.  Even though the boys are out, they are not down.  If anything, there has been a weight lifted off of their shoulders.

     Last night, I was fortunate enough to go to the Flyers game as they played the Boston Bruins.  Before the National Anthem, there was a video about the Boston Marathon attack.  While at the game, I bumped into a fellow Marine that I used to play hockey with.  John Cleaver just got back from a 7 month tour in Afghanistan and was able to get to check out a Flyers game.  Here's a picture of me, him, and my dad aka John's old coach!

     The Flyers had an amazing game!  Lauridsen had his first NHL goal ever and turned out to be one of the biggest flukes I've ever seen.  The Flyers went on to win 5-2 and have two more games left in their season.

Fighting for a Playoff spot

     Well, playoffs are coming up fast in this shortened season and right now the Flyers are on the outside looking in.  As of right now, they are not sitting in a playoff position, but all hope is not lost.  Only one team in the conference has secured a playoff spot (Penguins).  Right now the Flyers are four teams out of the last playoff spot.  They need to overcome the Devils, Rangers, Sabers, and Jets.  The Flyers play three of those teams between now and the end of the regular season in need-to-win games. 

     So in short, the boys absolutely NEED to kick it into high gear here to enter the post-season glory of playoffs.  With the addition of Mason into the ranks, things are looking a little bright.  That reminds me that I'll have a poll off to the side for you guys to drop your opinion on the goalie matter.  Hopefully next week I'll have great news to share!

     In the meantime, here's a reminder of how awesome Wayne Simmonds is:

New Sheriff in town

     Every year at this time, hockey fans sit on the edge of their seats with sweat running down their face with their hearts in their chest.  I'm talking about the trade deadline.  The trade deadline is the last day that any teams can trade players before the playoffs.  This is the General Manager's last chance to tweak the roster.  Yesterday, the Flyers' GM, Paul Holmgren, announced their big final trade.  Flyers have acquired goaltender Steve Mason from the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for goalie Michael Leighton and a third round draft pick in 2015.  Here's a compilation of his efforts since he entered the NHL back in 2009: