Connect Four!

The Flyers have won four in a row, The Flyers have won four in a row, The Flyers have won four in a row, The Flyers have won four in a row!

Annoying? Or poetically brilliant?

The fact that you can't see me prancing around my room, ala John Stevens after the 2-1 Game 7 OT win in Washington, takes away from the effect, however.

On that note, does anyone think Joffrey Lupul would be a good candidate for Dancing With The Stars next season?

I mean, look at that form!

But yes, Philadelphia has strung together four consecutive wins - their longest streak of the young season.While the first two games were blitzkrieg efforts against Carolina - the equivalent of beating a deaf kid in "name that tune" - and Tampa Bay, the latter two were of the more impressive variety.

The Buffalo game was closer than the 5-2 final score, and the Flyers were the beneficiaries of a few lucky bounces. However, they were opportunistic with their chances. It did appear as if Ryan Miller was still suffering from the effects of YoMamaWeen, but it was a textbook road effort, nonetheless.



The Orange and Black then rebounded to play a tightly contested defensive game at the Wachovia Center, against the St. Louis Blues. Another gritty effort, and another SHOOTOUT win. I have to say, this team has been playing outstanding hockey.


Sticking with the theme of four; let's talk about the fourth line. Daniel Carcillo, Blair Betts, and Ian Laperriere have been absolutely monstrous for this team. John Stevens has been using them in every situation, including starting the majority of the periods. Carcillo, taking advantage of his new found playing time, potted two goals in the Buffalo win and Lappy added two assists. Yup, they score too. Teach them how to make a sandwich and do my laundry and let's head down to the altar.

Jack Black would approve of their Tenacity, The South would applaud their Grit. Paris Hilton would relate with their willingness to get dirty, and Chris Brown would envy their hits.

They cycle harder than Lance. And their play with the puck is just (Arm)strong.

But really, Betts, Lappy, and Carbomb turn the half-boards into their workshop. Constantly winning battles in the corner, and supplying the puck in behind the cage. It is intoxicating to watch, and as a Flyer fan, I can only hope their effort can get the rest of the team drunk with energy - night in, and night out.

Fun Fact: The Flyers are 7-0 when Blair Betts is in the lineup.

Next up: The battle of former teams. Ray Emery's old club, the Ottawa Senators come into town tonight, followed by Danny Briere's former team - the Buffalo Sabres - on Saturday.

It appears that Danny Boy's elderly hip of a groin has finally healed.

Should he wear more protective gear to prevent further injury?

Why, Danny, Why?

November Blues

Remember, remember the fifth of November!

While the Flyers aren’t blowing, or Fawking, up the standings, they are far ahead of their pace from a year ago. In fact, at this time last season, the Orange and Black were in the midst of a three game losing streak, which inevitably capped a Parliamentary—oops, pardon the Freudian slip – putridly, we’ll go with that one, awful 4-6-3 start. For everyone that has their counting gloves on, that is 11 points in 13 games. Scotty Hartnell would be computing with us, but unfortunately, he threw his glove in disgust. Can you really blame him?

As of today, November 5^th, 2009, the Flyers have accumulated 15 points in the 12 games played thus far. While their 7-4-1 record isn’t going to start any bonfires, at least they aren’t lining up for the gunpowder rigged cellar.

On the injury front, Daniel Briere has now gone out of the lineup with a case of a mild H1N1 strain. Wait? Sorry guys, a citizen from Calgary stormed my computer like the beaches of Normandy.

Apparently, this guy tought his occupation – teacher - was more important than the Calgary Flames hockey team. You need to worry about the flame coming from your pipe buddy. That is a ludacris notion!

Back to Briere – he has a mild GROIN strain. But I mean, it’s Danny Briere, the guy has leg strengh like Sidney Crosby has a “big boy” beard.

Floating back to reality, the NHL, not just Philadelphia, has been hit with a rash amount of injuries in this young season. Names like Malkin, Gonchar, Savard, Ovechkin, Kovalchuk, and Horcoff are missing from their teams lineup.

Jeff H. Carter, the Calgary guy is back, and he’s telling me that Horcoff doesn’t belong on that list! What type of heresy is that?! The guy has a caphit of 5.5 million dollars, that means he’s a superstar, right? Calgary bashing on Edmonton; real original buddy.

Not only are key players getting hurt; teams as a whole have been bogged down with the flu; some of the "twine" variety. Vinny Lecavalier, I’m looking at you!

Fortunately for Flyer fans, Jeff Carter and Mike Richards are recovering from their Twine Flu after a recent shot of Lightningillin.

During their past two games, the Flyers really did look like they had been given a shot to the arm. Apparently they decided to dress up as a Legimate Eastern Conference Contender for Halloween. For the sake of the 34-year drought, keep that costume on!

While it was only the Hurricanes – whose confidence looks like the shards left behind from a storm – and the Lightning, the Flyers did exactly what they were supposed to do. Win. And not only that, they won in dominating fashion, outscoring the two South Eastern Division teams by a tally of 12-3 (6-1 over Carolina, and 6-2 over Tampa Bay).

This is very encouraging. With Gagne, Briere, and Parent out of the lineup the Flyers are fighting through adversity like a championship team. It is all the more impressive when you take into consideration that Danny Syvret can’t remember which locker room he belongs to.

Emery has been a Monster, sorry Jonas, between the pipes. In his last 5 games, he is posting an 1.98 goals-against average. He is 4-1 in that span.

Lastly, the team has been getting contribution from role-players. David Laliberte, recently called up from Adirondack, has potted goals in each of his first two NHL games. No Flyer player has ever started his NHL career with goals in three straight. That will be something to watch for when the Flyers take the ice against Buffalo tomorrow night.

The Sabres present themselves as a formidable challenge (much tougher than the Carolina’s and Tampa’s of the past). If the Orange and Black can muster up a gritty road win, in spite of all the injuries and flu stuff, it will speak volumes to their mental makeup.

Then they can worry about battling the Flu Blues. Oh, pardon me, the St. Louis Blues – who will be waiting for the Flyers in Philadelphia on Saturday.

Until next time, keep on smiling!