Marty's misadventures
The costly turnover by Martin Biron that led to Patrik Elias' game tying goal with 1:30 left in regulation in last night's 3-2 overtime loss led to a lot of post-game discussion about Biron's puckhandling problems. The giveaway was Biron's third of the game.Although Biron downplayed the issue after the game, the fact of the matter is that the issue has sprung up repeatedly and has cost the Flyers several goals this season.
In his 19 starts to date this season, Biron has been charged with 17 giveaways. The NHL's real-time stats for each game track goaltender giveaways with everyone else's but NHL.com does not have a searchable stats menu for goaltender giveaways. I would be surprised, however, if Biron is not the leader at his position in that dubious category.
Biron raised the point after the game last night that he can't be afraid to come out of the net and make routine plays. That's certainly true, but there have been too many situations this season where Marty has either failed to execute routine plays, waited too long or simply should have stayed in his crease in the first place.
On a separate note, Biron was well on his way to being one of the stars of last night's game until the late-game implosion.
*****
Concern for Gagne
Tim's blog today and CSN article updates Simon Gagne's situation. If he does not play tomorrow or has to leave the game early, I think there's reason for concern.
Apart from his concussion issues last season, Gagne has historically been one of the Flyers' most flu-prone players for whatever reason. I also believe (but am not certain) that he had past issues with dehydration and cramping in his career prior to the concussion-related dehydration last season.
According to
Flyershistory.com, Gagne has missed games due to the flu or a virus on at least five previous occasions, including his one-game absence in October of this season.
I don't think the news that he missed practice today is necessarily a red flag at this point, but a lot of people will be breathing a sigh of relief if the situation is really as minor as it has been made out to be.
****
Two Flyers prospects on WJC prelim rosters
Left wing James vanRiemsdyk is a shoo-in to earn a spot on Team USA for his third and final World Junior Championship tournament. In fact, I think he has a good shot at being named captain, since he's the most experienced player on the roster and will see a lot of ice time.
Defenseman Kevin Marshall has a decent shot at earning a spot on Team Canada's final roster, but it's not a slam dunk. As an 18-year-old last year, he made the preliminary roster but was cut from the deep squad. But WJC rosters have historically been dominated by 19-year-old prospects.
Congratulations also go out to Philadelphia native and Junior Flyer product Eric Tangradi for earning a spot on the preliminary Team USA roster.
*****
Today in Flyers history
December 5, 1976: Rick MacLeish tallies a hat trick in a 6-2 win over the woeful Cleveland Barons.
December 5, 2002: Michal Handzus scores the game-winner on an overtime penalty shot, beating the Rangers' Dan Blackburn up high to finish off a 3-2 win over the Blueshirts.
December 5, 2005: The Flyers make the ill-fated trade that sends Patrick Sharp and Eric Meloche to Chicago for Matt Ellison and a 2006 third-round pick (transferred to Montreal).
****
Spectrum Memories: Lindbergh Memorial
I wrote a "Spectrum Memories" story for the Flyers' official site on the
Pelle Lindbergh memorial game played on November 14, 1985.
The game between the Flyers and the defending Stanley Cup champion Edmonton Oilers took place four days after Lindbergh's fatal car accident and about 48 hours after the respirator was turned off and his organs donated. Pelle's mother, father, fiancee and brother-in-law were all in attendance at the game.
In addition to the article, Kevin Kurz of the Flyers has added video of the pre-game memorial ceremony as well as an interview that Pelle filmed for Hockey Night in Canada during the summer of 1985, shortly after winning the Vezina Trophy.
Contact Bill at
[email protected]
Philadelphia Flyers Blogger •NHL.com • 
Join the Discussion:
»