Showing posts with label Gene Hart. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Gene Hart. Show all posts

Saturday, April 11, 2015

Philadelphia Flyers: Season finale calls for off-season preview


A generally listless first period was seen as the Philadelphia Flyers hosted the Ottawa Senators at the Wells Fargo Center. A generally full crowd applauded the season-ending team awards, reaffirming organizational excellence on the public relations side of the ledger. Yet, what happens for (at least) 60 minutes, 82 times per season is why the franchise exists. And, a third Stanley Cup parade still appears to be a dream in April 2015.


The late-Gene Hart, who called both Stanley Cup victories (1973-74, 1974-75), always ended his broadcasts with a phrase that became his signature. But, I'll save this finale homage for later in this post.

Final game overview

Mark Stone's power play goal came at 6:06. The easy tap into the half-yawning net symbolized many tallies seen this season. Steve Mason had no shot to stop the puck due to his own misplay, which was a rarity. Often, his own defense let him down this season. 

Matt Read's eighth tally of an injury-filled season tied the game at 1-1 at 1:23 into the second period. But, a later-second frame goal by Jean-Gabriel Pageau gave Dave Cameron's team the lead again. Stone's second goal of the game, midway through the third, sealed the Flyers' fate. 

The end-game celebration was all Ottawa in the Flyers' house, as the Senators are heading to the playoffs next week. 

So, Philadelphia finishes the season 33-31-18 (84 points). The ten point drop from 2013-14's mark (42-30-10, 94 points) is telling.

Inherited issues, to a degree


The squad Berube inherited, after Peter Laviolette's quick pink slip was received three games into the season, finished ninth overall in team offense. Defensively, they finished twentieth in the League. This year the Flyers' offense ranked twenty-second, their defense placed twenty-fourth.

Berube noted after the game that everyone is responsible for wins and losses. So, with that, he assumes partial ownership of this season's outcome. Whether general manager Ron Hextall decides to replace Berube with his own guy 
remains to be seen.


Claude Giroux, Jake Voracek, Steve Mason and a handful of other players form a decent core that needs to be supplemented by developing prospects (when they are ready) and key veterans up front and on the blue line. 


Last summer's moves, especially the trade of Scott Hartnell, hurt short-term goal scoring. But, that move, along with the in-season deals of Kimmo Timonen and Braydon Coburn were made with the long view in mind.

Reasonable projections

As for next season, further moves that open the way for a volume of Flyers' prospects are sure to be attempted, if not completed, before the puck drops next season. Along with the annual NHL draft and the addition of some veteran players, the off-season is sure to provide further intrigue.

Good night Gene

At the end of every game, Hart would offer what came to be his signature verbal signoff. When it was uttered at any season's final game, which came most-often after a playoff series ended, the words were bittersweet. And so, it's fitting that the last 2014-15 regular season Insight post ends by quoting that kind-hearted, beloved hockey man. "Good night and good hockey."

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Let's connect on Twitter @SeanyOBthrough Facebook, or on LinkedIn.

Sunday, November 27, 2011

Eagles game and Flyers--Inside Access Part 2

TY to over ---910,000 readers--- of my Yahoo Sports, Interview and News articles since 2/1/11. http://contributor.yahoo.com/user/977720/sean_obrien.html


Eagles - 


It comes down to this - win today against the Patriots and build hope that the playoffs are still, somehow, a possibility. Lose and then honestly prepare for next season. 


Despite what has been said and written about Andy Reid and his coaching staff, some years you just can't make it. Thinking too intensely about these matters warps reality. 


Flyers - (Inside access)


Continuing with my notes about what it's like to cover a Flyers game from the press level:

The staff couldn't be more professional and welcoming as you enter the building.
Upon going to the press level, which is the top level of the facility, you are greeted by a number of wonderful pictures of the late, great, Gene Hart. The press box was renamed in his honor after his passing.

He taught the game to the fans of Philadelphia. His students have grown up, had children and grandchildren. The work that he did has spread over 4 decades now and blossomed because of his sincerity, honesty and love for the game.

Next post: how we prepare in the hours leading up to the game.

-----The Flyers are off until next Friday. Hopefully, some injured players can return by then.

Follow me on Twitter @SeanyOB

Click on one, or more, of my Yahoo news articles below:






Click on one, or more, of my Yahoo sports articles below:







Blog Archive

Labels