BallHype - Latest Philadelphia Flyers News Articles

Devils edge Flyers 4-3; Backstrom blanks Habs

Sun, 5 Oct 2008 04:31:17 +1900

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Rolston, Clarkson get Devils by Flyers (AP)

Sun, 5 Oct 2008 01:34:38 +1900

Brian Rolston and David Clarkson scored power-play goals in the second period for the New Jersey Devils, who finished their preseason schedule with a 4-3 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers on Saturday night. New Jersey's Bobby Holik and Simon Gagne of the Flyers traded man-advantage goals in the opening period, and Rolston snapped the tie 10:06 into the middle frame with his first tally since...

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Rockin the red: The Caps lay the smackdown on the Flyers in DC.

Sat, 4 Oct 2008 13:20:02 +1900

Enjoying the friendly confines of the home crowd, the Washington Capitals made the trip worth their while a little sweeter, crushing the Flyers 5-1 with exceptional teamwork from the usual suspects. Alex Ovechkin continues to anoint himself, as the best player in the NHL, earning player of the game status with many notable "whoa, how did he do that?" moves. Ovie got the party started with another patented wrister, scoring a short-handed goal, through the legs of a helpless Flyers defenseman at the 15:00 minute mark of the 1st Period. Throughout the night, the good guys punished Philly into submission, with superior skating and great leadership. Coach Bruce Boudreau added his own spin on the drama that is hockey life in the pros, by giving longtime C Sergei Federov the nod at playing defense. Federov finished his evening notching 2 assists, first hooking up with youngsters, RW Tomas "Flash" Fleischmann, and C/LW Chris Bourque, and ...

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Philadelphia Flyers: a capsule look

Sat, 4 Oct 2008 05:05:47 +1900

A capsule look at the Philadelphia Flyers for the 2008-09 season: Last season: 4...

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Roundup: A.O.'s 3 points carry Caps past Flyers

Sat, 4 Oct 2008 03:43:40 +1900

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Caps Pound Flyers, 5-1

Sat, 4 Oct 2008 03:33:10 +1900

Two days after suffering their first setback of the preseason in Philadelphia, the Caps rebounded by blowing out the Flyers, 5-1, at Verizon Center to improve to 5-1-0. Alex Ovechkin (shorthanded), Chris Clark (on the power play), Nicklas Backstrom, Tomas Fleischmann and Eric Fehr scored the Caps' goals. For Ovechkin, it was his fourth goal and second shorthanded tally of the exhibition season. Fleischmann also has four goals (three on the power play). A few...Please click on the title to continue reading this entry.

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Ovechkin's 3 points power Caps by Flyers (AP)

Sat, 4 Oct 2008 01:45:32 +1900

Alex Ovechkin scored a short-handed goal and added two assists to lead the Washington Capitals to a 5-1 preseason victory over the Philadelphia Flyers on Friday night. Ovechkin was the NHL's MVP last season when he led the league with 65 goals and 112 points. He has kept up the scoring this preseason, with four goals and seven points in three games.

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Mike Richards Interview Postponed until Next Week

Fri, 3 Oct 2008 18:15:05 +1900

I would like to deeply apologize to everyone who was looking forward to this interview this week. But due to schedule conflicts with the Flyers playing away games during the weekend and their annual West Point team bonding trip, and players not being able to conduct interviews on game days, I have been assured that the interview will take place on October 9, which is next week. Once again I want to apologize to the people who asked me about this. I am not lying about the interview, it is completely legit. I want everyone that reads my articles to bear with me on this. I will not let you down, nor will I ever intend to. You all will get the interview next week, I promise!

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Flyers Phenom Claude Giroux Disappoints, Sent to Phantoms

Thu, 2 Oct 2008 23:14:03 +1900

All the talk of Claude Giroux coming into the season and possibly earning a spot on the top line has now died down. In case anyone does not know yet, the Flyers' young gun was sent down to the Phantoms Thursday. As I have been saying all along, this kid was not ready. We have read comments even on this very site of people saying Giroux could be a first-line winger, obviously they are not very good hockey observers. I do not blame anything on Giroux, I blame 95 percent of this on the media and the fans that fell into the whole Giroux phenomenon. The Flyers have said all along that he has a lot of learning to do before he hits the big club for good. I don't understand where the fans and part of the media thought that meant that he was on his way to becoming the next best thing for the organization. During this preseason, he has practically been invisible on the ice for games. The only time he was noticeable was if you went to the Flyers skate zone and watched him practice. Flyers coach ...

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Capitals-Flyers: Washington Fails to Capitalize, Falls to Philadelphia

Thu, 2 Oct 2008 22:01:53 +1900

On a sloppy, sluggish night, the Washington Capitals and Philadelphia Flyers met for the first time since last year's fantastic finish of their opening-round playoff series. With the stinging memory of a 4-3 series loss fresh in their minds, the Caps dropped their first game of the preseason, 2-1 at the Wachovia Center—continuing their struggles against teams housed in Pennslyvania. Not much took place in way of action till the second period when ex-Capital Glen Metropolit broke the 0-0 tie, with a score from the slot after taking the assist from teammate, Jeffrey Lupul. Lupul was rewarded for his efforts in the third period, scoring a power-play goal at the 2:19 mark to secure the win. The Caps couldn't muster much from their unit, as they finished the game 0-8 when a man up. They would like to answer the Flyers' win with a victory of their own. The teams switch gears and head back to Washington for another tussle ...

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Philadelphia Flyers Continue Preseason Hot Streak, Sign Luca Sbisa

Thu, 2 Oct 2008 13:21:11 +1900

The Philadelphia Flyers continued their great preseason start by handing the Washington Capitals their first loss of the preseason in a 2-1 victory Wednesday. Washington had been riding strong play from its phenomenal young players, including Alexander Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom, in addition to the great play of Jose Theodore, the Caps' newly signed goalie from this offseason. The Flyers are now 4-2 in preseason play, while the Capitals are 4-1. Joffrey Lupul continued his hot streak, posting a goal and an assist during the game. Glen Metropolit, the Flyers' newly acquired fourth-line center, also added a second goal, the winning score in this contest. Backstrom scored unassisted for the Capitals. Flyers goaltender Martin Biron stopped 19 shots and did not allow the Capitals to score on eight power plays in the game, which ultimately did Washington in. Steve Downie was injured during a fight with Washington's Jay Beagle. He did not return to the game, and no announcement has yet been ...

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Flyers Clip Caps, 2-1

Thu, 2 Oct 2008 03:01:20 +1900

The Capitals dressed one of their least experienced lineups of the preseason and it showed in 2-1 loss to the mostly-veteran Flyers. It was Washington's first defeat of the exhibition season. Glen Metropolit and Joffrey Lupul (from Steve Eminger) notched goals for the Flyers while Nicklas Backstrom recorded an unassisted tally for the Caps, who dropped to 4-1. After a scoreless first period, things heated up in the second. *Grant McNeill took on Flyers' tough...Please click on the title to continue reading this entry.

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Flyers hand Caps first preseason defeat (AP)

Thu, 2 Oct 2008 01:38:28 +1900

Joffrey Lupul had a goal and an assist and the Philadelphia Flyers handed the Washington Capitals their first preseason defeat, 2-1 on Wednesday night. Glen Metropolit scored for the Flyers (4-2-0), who lost to Pittsburgh in five games in the Eastern Conference finals last season. Nicklas Backstrom scored for the Capitals (4-1-0), who are still enjoying their best preseason since 1999 when they...

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Tonight's Lineup in Philly

Wed, 1 Oct 2008 14:51:56 +1900

Based on the players on the ice right now, here is what the lineup for tonight's preseason game against the Flyers figures to look like: Forwards Laich-Fedorov-Semin Clark-Backstrom-Fehr Laing*-Steckel-Bourque Grant McNeill*-Gordon*-Bradley* Defensemen Schultz-Poti Erskine-Jurcina Alzner-Lepisto Goalies Johnson, Theodore *It's believed that Laing, Gordon and Bradley took the morning skate but won't be playing. That probably means the lineup will be fleshed out with Hershey call-ups. *McNeill, a defenseman by trade, is in the lineup as...Please click on the title to continue reading this entry.

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Mike Richards: Man Crush Series, Part One

Mon, 29 Sep 2008 20:07:25 +1900

Let’s face it, gentleman—if you're a huge sports fan, it means you are susceptible to falling into a man crush situation. Take a second and think of how unnatural it is as a grown man to wear a jersey with another adult male’s name and employee number on the back of it. Well, I’m here to confess my man crushes. That’s right, I have more than one. Although for my first segment, it’s going to be all about Mike Richards. It all started for me while watching the Memorial Cup Championships in 2003. The Kitchener Rangers won the Championship that season, with a lineup that boasted Derek Roy, Gregory Campbell, and Steve Eminger. But it was Mike Richards that jumped out at me. His determination to win every puck battle, his perpetually-intelligent decisions, and his overall competitive nature was remarkable to me. My discovery of Mike Richards was followed by the joy of my favourite NHL team selecting him with the ...

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Wachovia Center in Line for Fourth Name Change

Mon, 29 Sep 2008 15:23:22 +1900

According to the Associated Press, Citigroup has bought out Wachovia Securities. Along with the sale will likely come an event Flyers and Sixers fans should be quite familiar with by now—the Center will get a name change due to the big-fish-little-fish ways of the banking world. It was the CoreStates Center when it opened in 1996. In 1998 it became the First Union Center after First Union bought out CoreStates. The same thing happened in 2003 and it became the Wachovia Center. Now, it looks like it'll be called the "Citi Center." This third name change raises a lot of questions. First off, are Philadelphians going to have trouble adjusting to the new name, even though it's a lot easier to say? Perhaps a new nickname will arise out of the frustration over the name constantly changing. Calling it "The Cit" might lead to confusion with Citizens Bank Park, so that isn't a great choice. Maybe fans and reporters will give up on keeping up with the first part of the name, and just ...

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Mike Knuble: All Production, No Respect.

Mon, 29 Sep 2008 03:42:54 +1900

Mike Knuble most likely is not in the habit of reading his own press clippings, let alone fan blogs or message boards. But if he was, it’s safe to assume he’d feel a little underappreciated. After all, when you are among the leaders on your team each year in offensive categories and power-play production, posting no fewer than 24 goals or 55 points in three years of service, ranking among the top-10 league leaders in power play goals in 2007-2008, and remaining a durable, consistent player, you’d think fans would want you to stick around. Since the summer, there has been a ground swell of chatter in both the hockey media and amongst fans on blogs and message boards that Knuble’s $2.8 million salary cap number might be put to better use shoring up areas of need on the Flyers roster. In fact, there are times when it seems many fans would love to pack the lumbering power forward’s bags for him, drive him to the Market East bus terminal, and toss ...

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Leighton stops 21 shots in Carolina victory

Sun, 28 Sep 2008 22:29:22 +1900

Michael Leighton stopped 21 shots and the Carolina Hurricanes won for the first time in four preseason games with a 1-0 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers on Sunday.

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'Canes Leighton shuts out Flyers 1-0 (AP)

Sun, 28 Sep 2008 22:22:21 +1900

Michael Leighton stopped 21 shots and the Carolina Hurricanes won for the first time in four preseason games with a 1-0 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers on Sunday. Leighton, who's expected to be Carolina's No. 2 goalie, made nine saves in the third period. He has stopped 36 of 37 shots in two preseason outings.

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Flyers-Hurricanes: Postgame

Sun, 28 Sep 2008 05:06:40 +1900

I waxed nostalgic in my other post, but I did want to offer a few comments on the players for anyone who wasn’t able to attend this afternoon’s game. I know we’re all looking for some insight into guys trying to make the squad, and into the Simon Gagne situation: Gagne first Taking a roughing penalty 10 seconds after you leap over the boards for the first time in eight months says a lot. It says you’re healthy, confident, and serious about playing the game. Gagne may be ready to deliver such a hit, but he also played rather tentatively throughout the afternoon, using his speed and smarts to avoid physical contact in most situations. There’s no need for panic just yet. It’s only his first game back, and he wisely seemed as though he wanted to pace himself. That said, avoiding checks in the preseason is one thing. In the regular season, it can get you seriously injured. Other ...

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Flyers vs Hurricanes Postgame Analysis

Sun, 28 Sep 2008 05:06:40 +1900

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Philadelphia Flyers Say Farewell to the Spectrum

Sun, 28 Sep 2008 04:42:54 +1900

Having just returned from today’s preseason game at the Spectrum, I can honestly say the Philadelphia Flyers organization truly embodies class. Along with the customary recitations of historical statistics and accomplishments as each former captain stepped onto the ice, the Flyers featured pre-recorded memories of the building from major players like Wayne Gretzky and Ron Francis, as well as live interviews with various former captains during breaks in the action. And to top it off, the singing of God Bless America by the lovely Lauren Hart with Kate Smith. More importantly, the atmosphere within the building was permeated with memories and hopes for a bright future. A longtime Flyers fan seated behind me spent much of the game sharing stories of the 1970s glory years with his teenage son. I overheard a dad in line for Chickie & Pete’s famous crab fries telling his young daughter about Ron Hextall’s miraculous performances in 1987. The ...

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Elias burns Rangers; two SH goals propel Flyers

Sun, 28 Sep 2008 02:40:57 +1900

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Philadelphia Flyers Close Out the Spectrum

Sun, 28 Sep 2008 02:02:14 +1900

Today's preseason game for the Flyers at the Spectrum was special—this was the last NHL game played in the Wachovia Spectrum. The Flyers put on a great spectacle by honoring the former captains who accepted the offer to attend the festivities. It was a real treat to see the likes of Bobby Clarke, Ed Van Impe, and recent captain in Keith Primeau don the retro orange jerseys to a sellout crowd. The Flyers realized how much this game meant to all their fans—past, present, and future. That is why when Philadelphians think about a local team who really cares about their fans, number one is the Flyers. The Spectrum has meant to so much to millions of fans over the past 31 years, bringing in two Stanley Cups and an NBA Championship. In case Philadelphia fans have forgot, the Spectrum is the only arena left here that has won a major championship. It will turn to rubble and dust in a matter of months, and all that will be left are the memories that the Spectrum will leave us with. ...

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Richards leads Flyers over Hurricanes (AP)

Sat, 27 Sep 2008 20:26:47 +1900

Mike Richards scored two short-handed goals to lead the Flyers to a 4-2 preseason victory over the Carolina Hurricanes on Saturday in Philadelphia's final game at the Spectrum. Braydon Coburn had a goal and an assist and Joffrey Lupul also scored for the Flyers. Matt Murley and Patrick Eaves scored for the Hurricanes, who are winless in three preseason games.

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Flyers ready for tribute night at the Spectrum

Sat, 27 Sep 2008 03:26:08 +1900

Unlike most of the Flyers, goalie Marty Biron won't be playing in his first game at the Wachovia Spectrum on Saturday - and he has interesting recollections of the venerable...

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FLYERS SHUT ISLES OUT

Fri, 26 Sep 2008 08:39:19 +1900

LONDON, Ontario - Jean-Sebastien Aubin made 18 saves in the first two periods and Martin Biron stopped six shots in the third in the Flyers' 4-0 exhibition victory over the Islanders last night. Mike Richards and Joffrey Lupul each had a goal and...

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BT's 2008/09 NHL Season Preview: The Philadelphia Flyers

Fri, 26 Sep 2008 02:40:16 +1900

Preface: This afternoon I watched an interview with Cito Gaston, the Toronto Blue Jays manager, sounds ridiculously akin to Morgan Freeman. I just thought you should know this. Also, I'm so darn committed to this that instead of going back to London and checking out the exhibition game between the Islanders and the Flyers, I'm here, doing season previews for you. I saw the game a few years ago though between Capitals and the Flyers, and I met Jeff Hackett though, so I guess this is kind of acceptable. By the way, Jeff Hackett is a really nice guy. It's too bad his career ended during vertigo. These are things I just think you should know. The Flyers were “back with a vengeance” last season. That was the tag-line last year, and the Flyers certainly were, accumulating a total of a ridiculous amount of games lost due to suspension? Methusela? Yeah...his age was no comparison to this number. (The original sentence just said: They lost 937 games to suspension, but Alan ...

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Flyers ease past Islanders 4-0 (AP)

Fri, 26 Sep 2008 02:32:14 +1900

Jean-Sebastien Aubin made 18 saves in the first two periods and Martin Biron stopped six shots in the third in the Philadelphia Flyers' 4-0 exhibition victory over the New York Islanders on Thursday night. Mike Richards and Joffrey Lupul each had a goal and an assist and Mike Knuble and Jeff Carter added goals for the Flyers (2-1-0).

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NHL 2008-2009 Season Preview: Philadelphia Flyers

Tue, 23 Sep 2008 19:07:33 +1900

Just a preface to this series. I am not pulling a BT and writing a season preview for every team in the league, because I do not have nearly enough time to do that. I am doing season previews for the five Atlantic Division teams, as those are the five teams that I know the best. 2007-2008 Record: 42-29-11, 95 points, 245 GF, 227 GA Players Signed: F Jeff Carter (3-year, $15 million contract), D Steve Eminger (one-year contract), D Ossi Vaananen (1-year, $1 million), F Glen Metropolit (2-years), Nate Raduns (1-year) , F Riley Cote (3-years, undisclosed), D Randy Jones (2-years, undisclosed), F Arron Asham (multi-year contract), F Joffrey Lupul (4-year contract extension).  Unsigned Players: F Jesse Boulerice, F Jim Dowd (UFAs), D Nate Guenin (RFA) Notable Trades: Acquired defenceman Danny Syvret from the Edmonton Oilers for centre Ryan Potulny; acquired a 2008 seventh-round pick and a 2009 conditional fourth-round pick from the Tampa Bay Lightning for the ...

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Downie's 2 goals lead Flyers over Devils (AP)

Tue, 23 Sep 2008 01:48:02 +1900

Steve Downie scored two goals and the Philadelphia Flyers beat the New Jersey Devils 4-1 in the preseason opener for both teams Monday night. Mike Richards and Scottie Upshall also scored for the Flyers, who bounced back from the worst season in franchise history to reach the Eastern Conference finals, where they lost to the Pittsburgh Penguins in five games.

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Martin Biron: The Missing Piece to the Philadelphia Flyers' Puzzle

Mon, 22 Sep 2008 20:37:47 +1900

Why did the Philadelphia Flyers have such a dismal season in 2006-2007? Was it because their offense wasn’t shooting enough? Their defense wasn’t quick enough? Or was it problems in the front office? While all of these issues may have attributed to the failure that was their season, there was one contributing factor that led the Flyers to own their worst record in franchise history—their goalies. Don’t get me wrong. I do not think that Antero Niittymaki and Robert Esche are the reasons for the losing season. However, a lack of confidence in goaltending abilities surely caused panic within the organization. Enter Martin Biron. Biron, drafted 15th overall by the Buffalo Sabres in 1995, was the backup goalie to Ryan Miller for the Sabres. Realizing that his opportunity to gain playing time was limited, he asked for a trade. As one of general manager Paul Holmgren’s finest trades yet, the Flyers dealt a second-round ...

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