Showing posts with label Steve Mason. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Steve Mason. Show all posts

Saturday, April 2, 2016

Behind the NHL scenes: Philadelphia Flyers verses Ottawa Senators



(The Zamboni prepares the ice at the Wells Fargo Center approximately an hour before game time.)

Introductions

Most preseason predictions didn't have the Philadelphia Flyers making the playoffs this season. Rookie head coach Dave Hakstol was an unknown factor, having left the college ranks in North Dakota to work in a high-profile East Coast hockey town. His impressive collegiate career and demeanor convinced the Flyers' brass that he deserved a shot.

There's no way to know how a Craig Berube-coached team would have performed this year. Would the addition of Shayne Gostisbehere in the early part of the season and the increased masked differential that Michal Neuvirth offered, verses Ray Emery, have resulted in a similar playoff push reality this April? It's debatable. However, the very unusual move of removing 'Chief', while retaining his entire staff, to assist Hakstol's National Hockey League transition, can't be overlooked.

General manager Ron Hextall, who worked through his first year last season, evaluated everything and made a gutsy decision. An organization that has been known and harshly criticized for its loyalty, changed direction, replacing a Flyer with an outsider. Hextall's patient approach defies the on-ice demeanor that he exhibited when he embodied number 27 in and around the crease during a 13-year hockey career.

Philadelphia's short-term future may include a playoff appearance this spring, but even if it doesn't, depth within the lower levels is real. Similar to the 1980's teams, continued infusions of youth will repopulate the roster for cascading future seasons. And with that, it appears that the Flyers are building toward perpetual contention and therefore, a realistic chance at the ever-elusive third Stanley Cup ring.

First period

Steve Mason started in goal, again. Andrew Hammond led the Senators, who were recently eliminated from playoff contention, as were all of the Canadian teams. That rare seasonal distinction, among non-United States teams, was last realized during the 1969-70 campaign.

This period wasn't flat, but the teams basically took turns appearing in each other's end of the ice, with little sustained high-percentage opportunities. Each goalie made a few decent saves, but the shot total (Flyers 10 - Senators 9) reflected an even frame and produced a double goose egg on the scoreboard.

Second period

Wayne Simmonds tipped Jake Voracek's intentionally aimed blue line shot past Hammond at 1:30 into the period. It was his twenty-seventh of the season. The power play goal gave the Flyers a 1-0 lead.

Then, on a another man-advantage, Sean Couturier poked in a puck that Brayden Schenn initially attempted to push past Ottawa's goal line. Assists went to Schenn and Simmonds. It was Coot's eleventh of the season.

Chris Neil was assessed with a 10-minute misconduct penalty (17:35) just prior to Mike Zibanejad blowing a shot past Mason's left pad, at close range, with 2:12 left in frame. His nineteenth goal was assisted by Mike Hoffman and Cody Ceci.

The Flyers headed into the final period of their last game of this season against the Senators with the thinnest of leads. The two-period result wasn't surprising, as these Eastern Conference occupants split their first two games earlier in the hockey year, both of which were played at the Canadian Tire Centre north of the border.

Third period

Simmonds scored his second power play goal of the game (and twenty-eighth overall) at 7:15, with assists to Voracek and Schenn. This important tally gave the Flyers breathing room, putting them up by two over the Sens. Ceci's earlier penalty enabled his team to fall into this 3-1 hole. Will Simmer break the 30-goal mark for the first time in his career? With five games to go, it's surely possible that he reaches that impressive mark.

Radko Gudas earned two-minute minor penalties (11:34) for interference and slashing during a scrum that saw Neil tagged with two minutes of roughing time. Hoffman subsequently scored his twenty-eighth of the season 12:28 on the ensuing power play, with assists to Erik Karlsson and Bobby Ryan. However, it wasn't enough as the Flyers held on to win 3-2. Ottawa's 36-35 shot advantage underscored the evenness of the battled that ensued.

The win pushed the Flyers (91) to within two points of the New York Islanders (93), who were shutout by the Pittsburgh Penguins (98 points). Philadelphia, the eighth-ranked team in the Eastern Conference, and New York (seventh-ranked) have five games remaining on their schedules. These longtime rivals play each other at the Wells Fargo Center in the last game of the season on April 10, which is a makeup of an earlier snowed-out contest.

After the horn sounded



Hakstol was his normal disciplined self in the post-game presser. With his daughter and a member of the Flyers' PR staff, Joe Seville, standing off to the side, the first-year head coach reviewed the game with the preciseness of a grizzled bench boss. Hextall's man clearly has implemented a team-wide style that plays shift-by-shift, period-by-period and game-by-game. A playoff berth is in the offing with ten possible points to gain. Detroit, ninth in the Conference, sits just outside Wild Card position, with 89 points and four games showing on its 2015-16 docket, and Boston, who lags just behind the Red Wings as of today.

When asked by the media about defending a one-goal lead late in a game, Hakstol said, “Mentality and the ability to stay aggressive and stay on your toes. That’s exactly what that shift says. We kept it in the offensive zone, we kept the clock winding without a whole lot of whistles as we went down the stretch. Because of that we were able to stay on our toes and stay aggressive and that’s exactly what Belley’s line did on that shift.”

Mason's play has been key to the Flyers' surge. After the game he said, “A lot of what I’m doing has to do with the guys in front. I think overall we’re playing real solid hockey and in turns makes my job a lot easier. We’re scoring goals at probably our best clip of the year too, so that also helps. We’re still in tight games, but we’re having the confidence for guys that they’re going to find the back of the net and that’s a nice thing for a goaltender to have, knowing that the guys are going to come through for you and more than anything like I said earlier it’s fun coming to the rink and expecting to play.”

Speaking about the playoff push, Giroux said, “I think we’ve been doing a good job. We were maybe what eight points off maybe two months ago. We told ourselves to focus on our game, how we play, and we’ve been doing that so I’m not too sure what the game was with Pittsburgh and the Islanders, but at the end of the day it doesn’t matter to us, so we just have to be ready for next game.”

Philadelphia's relentless push since February has earned the organization kudos across the League. Their opportunity to play post-season hockey isn't an accident. No, Hextall, Hakstol, his coaching staff and the orange iced boys have earned a chance to shine. Next up is tomorrow's game against the Penguins in Pittsburgh.

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


Saturday, January 9, 2016

Behind the hockey scenes: Philadelphia Flyers vs. New York Islanders


                                                                                                    (My pre-game, press level photo of the Wells Fargo Center.)

The Wells Fargo Center was silent upon arrival this Saturday, January 9, 2016. The Philadelphia Flyers were set to play the New York Islanders on another mild winter's day that has thankfully been snowless to-date this season. The historically high $900 million-plus national Powerball lottery pot amount was the only screaming voice this scribe heard pre-game.

The consistent professionalism of the staff in this building is always noteworthy. A hard-working collective unit, which includes many familiar faces, is always appreciated. Random chance doesn't enable this solid sports' business to retain its mojo. Instead it began with the leadership of Ed Snider and continues to flow through the earnest efforts of all team members, both on and off the ice, since the 1960's.

Driving past the site of the fabled Spectrum never grows old as one approaches the Flyers' second home in south Philadelphia. The exact physical location of that cultural icon was tastefully not supplanted by another structure. A reverent amount of open space allows the lasting image of all hockey, basketball, wrestling, concert and other events to live on in the mind's eye.

Introductions

Flyers' starters: Goaltender Steve Mason, First line: Claude Giroux, Jakub Voracek and Wayne Simmonds. The defensive pairing was Mark Streit and Nick Schultz. (The lack of Shayne Gostisbehere, due to a recent leg injury, will remain challenging to overcome, considering this impactful rookie's presence since his fall arrival.)

Islanders' starters: Goaltender Jaroslav Halak. First line: Brock Nelson, Mikhail Grabovski and Ryan Strome. The defensive pairing was Thomas Hickey and Brian Strait.

First period

Little action, underscored by the lopsided 11-2 shot total in favor of Philadelphia. The lack of Flyers' goals, in an of itself, can't be defined within this one iced frame. However, until general manager Ron Hextall is able to inject at least three additional, effective, offensive players into this roster, it will continue to have limited playoff chase potential. Having typed that, it's also worth noting that the second-season front office boss is doing a fine job, as recognized across the National Hockey League, in incrementally upgrading the organization.

Evgeny Medvedev took advantage of minimal open iceway on the power play taking the puck in the faceoff circle and scoring his third goal of the season at 8:33 on the power play. Assists via Matt Read and Michael Del Zotto. Penalized Islander Mikhail Grabowski left the box with a chagrin on his face.

Second period

Michael Raffl (sixth goal) opened the scoring at 1:28 of the period by lifting a quick passed Halak. Matt Read carried the puck into the o-zone, passed it to Sean Couturier, who gave up his body into the back boards, while simultaneously shifting the disk to the approaching Raffl. Result: Full line team effort and goal scored.

The period ended in a 2-0 lead for the Flyers. New York mustered eight shots in the period, with minimal effective scoring chances.

Third period

Read scored his sixth goal of the season by flicking a wrist shot through Halak's five-hole at 10:58. He took the puck near the blue line and fired from above the faceoff circle. His tally was assisted by Mark Streit and Scott Laughton.

Radko Gudas ended the scoring with a spin-o-rama shot, that was tipped by Couturier, past Halak's right pad at 15:14. Couturier's ninth goal of the season capped a fine home performance that featured fine work by all four lines and 200 feet of hockey responsibility.

The raucous crowd serenaded the visiting hockey team prior to the horn sounding. The ode offered the gathered thong's philosophical take on New York's collective worth. A 4-0 shutout didn't elicit generosity from the hometown crowd.

Mason tied Neuvirth with three shutouts on the season.

Takeaways


                                                                                                    (My post-game presser photo of head coach Dave Hakstol.)

Head coach Dave Hakstol emphasized the sound work of his unit in the post-game presser. Part-way through his first year foray in the the NHL, this bench boss has had an effect upon a group of players that are somewhat similar to last year's contingent.

Speaking to the press, post-game, about his team's current track, Hakstol said, “Yeah, every two points, it sounds like a broken record right, but it’s true, every game is pretty important for us.  These games happen to be against eastern conference teams.  I said it the other day, our long term focus is between now and the four day all-star break.  That’s long term and short term is just what you saw today, one game, two points at a time.”

Hakstol also agreed, when asked, that tomorrow was an earned day off. Monday's practice will reflect the good feelings generated by the three-game win streak, that started with a 4-3 regulation win against the Montreal Canadiens last Tuesday. Next up is another home contest that features the Boston Bruins on January 13th.

Per the Flyers' media relations department: Matt Read recorded his eighth career game of three or more points and his first since Dec. 4, 2013.  Three of those eight games have come against the Islanders.  Read has had 11 shots on goal over the past two games. And, Steve Mason recorded his 29th career shutout and his second career blanking of the Islanders. It’s his third shutout of the season.  

One last noteworthy points about Snider: He founded the Flyers at at time when professional hockey didn't exist in Philadelphia. The risk he took represented the spirit of capitalism in America at that time. Battling the reemergence of cancer this season, Mr. Flyer has been resting at this California home for much of this season. Released information indicates that his fight is going well, yet this disease always remains fully unpredictable. His team's Christmas' break visit brightened his spirits and also allowed the modern version of the orange and black to rightly offer its respect to the man behind it all.

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

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."

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

Saturday, January 10, 2015

Inside Access: Boston Bruins vs. Philadelphia Flyers



It's a privilege to cover an NHL game. I've been fortunate to have worked professionally for nearly 25 years, with approximately half of that time (combining all FT, PT, and freelance efforts) spent in various sporting worlds. And such was the case today, January 10, 2015, at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia. 

Iced Pregame Tidbits


Bruins 21-15-6, 48 points (110 goals scored, 110 goals allowed)


Flyers 16-18-7, 39 points (111 goals scored, 123 goals allowed)

Through 120 games as the Flyers' head coach, Craig Berube has a 58-45-17 record (133 points, .554 winning percentage).

Into this twelfth NHL season as a head coach for the Montreal Canadiens, New Jersey Devils and Bruins (since 2007-08), Claude Julien has a combined record of 450-266-10(ties)-94 through 818 games (1,004 points, .614 winning percentage). Julien's post-season accomplishments include leading the Bruins to their first Stanley Cup championship since 1971-72, when the B's defeated the Vancouver Canucks in seven games in 2010-11. The Bruins also were Eastern Conference champions in 2012-13.

Former Flyer Simon Gagne left the Bruins in early December. His indefinite leave of absence was due to his father's terminal illness (cancer). Pierre Gagne passed away the day after Christmas.

The Flyers have a small chance of making a legitimate playoff push unless a number of players who aren't named Jakub Voracek, Claude Giroux and Mark Streit begin scoring on more-regular basis.


Wayne Simmonds, Brayden Schenn and Sean Couturier are having decent offensive seasons. But, each player needs to contribute to greater degrees. Whether those individual expectations are fair is a different question.

Patrice Bergeron (11 goals) and Brad Marchand (10 goals) rank as the only Bruins with double-digit goal totals.

Flyers' starting goalie: Steve Mason 8-12-6, .919 save percentage and a 2.48 GAA started in goal for the Flyers.

Bruins' starting goalie Tuukka Rask had a 16-10-6 record, .913 save percentage and a 2.52 GAA.

First Period

Early fight Adam McQuaid – Nick Schultz resulted in a 2-minute power play and a game misconduct for the Bruins' defenseman.

7:07 into game, Mason leaves after suffering some type of injury after making a save. Appeared to be a right-knee issue. Ray Emery (7-6-1, .893 save percentage, 3.19 GAA) relieved 'Mase'. Would 48-year-old goalie coach Jeff Reese sign a one-day contract during the game if needed in an emergency situation? All jests aside, an orange defender would surely stand between the pipes.


11:23 - 18-year-old David Pastrnak (#88 was the first round pick of the Bruins last summer) scored his first NHL goal in his seventh career game. Assists: Torey Krug and Zdeno Chara.

Shots: Bruins 10, Flyers 8

Notes: Offensive pressure inconsistencies continue. Evident in shot total and of course, goose egg showing for Flyers during first period intermission.

Second Period

Notes: A few Flyers' power play chances went by the wayside. Through 45 minutes of play Philadelphia had only managed 13 shots. However, the Bruins also sported a meager 14.

When shot totals represent the lede after a period ends, the on-ice action was surely not compelling.

Total shots: Flyers 16, Bruins 14

Third Period

4:48 Pastrnak nets second goal of game/career. Assists: David Krejci and Adam McQuaid.

9:51 Chris Kelly's short-handed goal (1st SHG of season/6th of career, 10th overall goal) seemingly cinches game for B's. Assists Loui Eriksson and Zdeno Chara. Boston's fourth short-handed goal of the season. Kelly, an original Ottawa Senator (2003-2011) is on pace to top seasonal career-high (20 in 2011-12, with the Bruins).

Despite numerous PP chances and late-third period shot total lead (20-18). Flyers can't sustain any pressure. Rebound shots anyone?

14:13 Claude Giroux scored his fourteenth goal (on a direct, non-rebound shot). Assists: Mark Streit and Jakub Voracek.


Emery pulled with less than two minutes to go in the game. 30-second timeout called. No goals resulted by the time the final horn blew.

Notes: Mounting pointless' games are leading to an inevitable non-playoff season, barring a Broad Street-based miracle from now through spring. Craig Berube didn't have much to offer postgame, at this press conference. But, at this point what can he really say?


Final score: Bruins 3, Flyers 1

Final shot totals: Flyers 25, Bruins 18

Final thoughts

While the Flyers didn't apply much pressure, Bruins' goalie Tuuka Rask deserves credit for defeating Philadelphia, as he only allowed one shot past the goal line.

All-Star game selections were set to be announced at 6pm ET on game day. As a result of existing rules and deservedly so, former Flyers' coach Peter Laviolette (Nashville Predators) was tapped to lead the Eastern Conference, while Darryl Sutter (Los Angeles Kings) will lead the Western Conference squad. The first NHL All-Star game in three seasons, due to the League lockout and subsequent Olympic Games, is set to take place on January 25.

Kimmo Timonen's approaching medical test results, related to his blood clot condition, will determine this veteran's immediate and apparently, most-likely, hockey future. Considering the life-threatening position he could put himself in, it seems ill-advised to even consider doing anything more than remaining on the scratched list during what could be the final season of his long and impressive career. But, risk is an individual assessment.

Mason's medical evaluation is now the more-pressing issue. As a side-note, he was the first player scheduled to address the media after the game. But, he didn't do so.

Next up: Tampa Bay. The Lightning serve as the Flyers' last opponent in the four-game homestand and currently sport an Eastern Conference-leading 58 points (27-12-4, 58 points). Tampa Bay has a fifteenth-ranked defense (110 goals allowed), but an NHL-leading 138 goals-scored.

*There are plenty of quality hockey resources available. Bill Meltzer's ever-great HockeyBuzz blog, David Strehle's always-insightful Twitter feed @DstrehleTFP and connected articles, and Charlie Flowe's WorldSportsShow.com are worth regular digital reads. 

Saturday, January 18, 2014

Philadelphia Flyers Extend Steve Mason's Contract


Confirming recent reliable sources, the Philadelphia Flyers extended the contract of goaltender Steve Mason. 

Mason's acquisition last spring from the Columbus Blue Jackets for Michael Leighton foreshadowed an organizational shift in crease philosophy. After the season ended, the Flyers bought out the remaining years of Ilya Bryzgalov's long-term contract. 

Top job

The off-season free agent acquisition of former Flyer Ray Emery caused some to believe that Mason would serve as a backup to, or in tandem with, the veteran netminder. However, Mason's performance in training camp, combined with the front office's assessment, resulted in Mason earning the top job.

The 2008-09 Calder Trophy winner has thus far proven to be a steady presence between the pipes, which is a distinct shift from what transpired at that location on the ice during the last two seasons.

Prime time

Mason doesn't turn 26 until the end of May. So, when combining all factors the Flyers have decided to offer a goalie, who is playing in the prime of his career, an opportunity to be their number one masked man into the near future.

(Photo courtesy of the Sporting News.)

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Last month and again earlier this month, Maddie ranked 45th on Amazon in it's specific illustrated children's category. Everyone involved in this effort, that helps to benefit the Children's Alopecia Project, is very grateful for the public response that we have received since the print and ebook's release in August, 2013. 

Use this link --->>Maddie: Teaching Tolerance with a Smile to see a 'free-view' of the special eBook edition. 

I've included extra bonus features in this version that provide background information, extra photos, and illustrations. Each item helps to tell the complete story of this book's birth. 

I also describe the process that was used to create the story and to break the third (sometimes called the fourth) wall in an expanded Acknowlegment section at the end of the digital edition.

Readers, writers and all fans of creative work are likely to enjoy this fun online experience.   

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Links to our illustrated children's book ...
Feel free to use, or share, this link--->>Maddie: Teaching Tolerance with a Smile to purchase the printed book directly from CAP.



50% of all proceeds from the sale of our book (in both print and eBook forms) are being donated to the Children's Alopecia Project (CAP).

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Here's a link to this great (print and online) article that the Reading Eagle recently published about our story Maddie: Teaching Tolerance with a Smile: Book chronicles Wyomissing teen's journey since being diagnosed with alopecia

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Thank you to Stacey Stauffer (Fox 29 Philadelphia). She interviewed Madison Woytovich, her parents (Jeff and Betsy Woytovich) and me about the latest chapter in this inspiring story. Here's a video link to Stacey's wonderful feature. 

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Feel free to click on any of my interviews with famous athletes and sports' personalities...
Martin Brodeur: Discusses His Record-Setting Shutout Total and Key Rivalries 
Jaromir Jagr: Current NHL Forward and Future Hall of Famer
Philadelphia Flyers' Bernie Parent: Postgame reflections 
Bobby Clarke: Philadelphia Flyers' Legend Talks Hockey
Ron Hextall Recalls His Greatest Season
Kerry Fraser: NHL Referee is Still Making the Right Calls
Here's a selection of my interviews with broadcasters, actors, models and more...
Fox Television's Erin Como Reveals Her Timeless Model for Success: Interview
Amazon.com is the number 1 online publishing platform in the world. That's why I used it to publish my first ebook: 

This mini-tome is a collection of stories and poems for readers who don't take themselves too seriously. I hope that you enjoy it and am always interested in your feedback. 

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Visit my Examiner Contributor Page
or my Yahoo Contributor Page.

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