I didn't get to see the game last night because I was watching Primus do Charlie and The Chocolate Factory at the Tower.


But I see that RJ woke up and got a Gordie Howe hat trick. I'm sure the haters were bleeding all over their keyboards. I'm sorry I missed it.
- MBFlyerfan

He played his best game yet... but I really dont see how they could have called that a "fight". He gave the guy a hug, and then laid down with him. It was kinda creepy actually.

Well now you can see the difference in a game between a team that is hungry and skating, and playing with urgency, versus a team that wasn't competing in the game against Chicago. I pointed this out yesterday, and you told me I was wrong. Well it's pretty obvious who was right and who was wrong.
- MJL

Glad to know hunger was the only factor.

You're right... Pens' terrible defensive coverage, flippant play at the opposing blueline and MAF had nothing to do with it. And Flyers' L2 providing much needed offensive pressure, a bit more balanced usage for all 4 lines, and better execution all around didn't contribute to the W.

We'll just distill it all down to hunger and compete...

The only thing that's obvious is that some people are condescending jerk-offs who gain sexual pleasure from false feelings of vindication.
- bradleyc4

ROFL

(Flyers win, and some people can't resist the urge to make it all about themselves)

We "dominated" that game yet nearly imploded in the last few minutes.

Again, the difference as I stated yesterday, is that the great teams dont even get those scares when they dominate a game.
- jak521

The didn't come close to imploding in that game last night. The Flyers were in complete control of the game. The Pens scored the 3rd goal, and the Flyers responded after by continuing to win board battles and puck races, continuing to take away the neutral zone. Kudos to the coach by the way for the tactical change in the forecheck. Stating that they nearly imploded is the complete wrong read on the game.

It's simple. The team that wants it more wins each time.
- bradleyc4

Not true. But a team wanting it more can certainly lead to a lesser team being able to compete, and play with a better more talented team.

I didn't get to see the game last night because I was watching Primus do Charlie and The Chocolate Factory at the Tower.


But I see that RJ woke up and got a Gordie Howe hat trick. I'm sure the haters were bleeding all over their keyboards. I'm sorry I missed it.
- MBFlyerfan

The fight could have easily been roughing. Couturier got hit by Despres, Umberger took exception and tangled with Despres, it was a dancing bear situation and they were both down after mere seconds of fighting.

Umberger had a good game. His goal was more Johnny on the spot after Giroux made a pass while being covered by 5 Pens, but he converted it.

The hyperbole is strong in this thread.

The didn't come close to imploding in that game last night. The Flyers were in complete control of the game. The Pens scored the 3rd goal, and the Flyers responded after by continuing to win board battles and puck races, continuing to take away the neutral zone. Kudos to the coach by the way for the tactical change in the forecheck. Stating that they nearly imploded is the complete wrong read on the game.
- MJL

Immediately after they scored they were hemmed in their own zone. Malkin had 3-4 very good chances in one shift, and Emery had to play hero. It was very scary.

We then iced the puck a few times (stupidly) and gotta a good/albeit lucky open netter to seal the deal. They played a very solid game, but they we definitely on egg shells when it got back to a one goal game.

The hyperbole is strong in this thread.
- MBFlyerfan

I prefer hyperbolas:

I prefer hyperbolas:


- Tomahawk

Great now we got Hypebola on the page

Thanks, Obama

Great now we got Hypebola on the page

Thanks, Obama
- Jsaquella

Hyper-ebola!

Effort and intensity often goes hand in hand with execution and confidence. The Flyers had the early penalty kills and quickly tied the game after the first Penguin goal. That seemed to give them a shot in the arm. Then, they take the lead on Bellemare's goal and they took over control of the game.
- Jsaquella

Yup. If "compete-level" is a standalone issue with a team, there needs to be some serious reevaluation of the players on the roster, coaching staff, culture, etc.

Immediately after they scored they were hemmed in their own zone. Malkin had 3-4 very good chances in one shift, and Emery had to play hero. It was very scary.

We then iced the puck a few times (stupidly) and gotta a good/albeit lucky open netter to seal the deal. They played a very solid game, but they we definitely on egg shells when it got back to a one goal game.
- jak521

Agreed. After the Pens scored to make it 4-3, the Fyers were on their heels. Those icings didn't help. The Flyers controlled much of the game, but it ended up being more white knuckle than it needed to be.

Hyper-ebola!
- Tomahawk

That picture also looks like an ISIS-oles triangle.

I told you guys the Flyers were gonna win the cup!

It's pretty amazing how well they play when they get to Pittsburgh. They're something like 11-1-1 at Consol. That's asinine.
- Jsaquella

the flyers have always had amazing stats against Pitts in their history

Not true. But a team wanting it more can certainly lead to a lesser team being able to compete, and play with a better more talented team.
- MJL

Nobody disputes this... but wanting it more isn't going to mask fundamental issues this team still has. Nobody is saying compete/jam/passion is irrelevant... we're just saying it's simply one item on a very long to-do list.

That picture also looks like an ISIS-oles triangle.
- Jsaquella

Trace it back to ancient aliens and I'll declare you today's winner.

Nobody disputes this... but wanting it more isn't going to mask fundamental issues this team still has. Nobody is saying compete/jam/passion is irrelevant... we're just saying it's simply one item on a very long to-do list.
- Tomahawk

You could also argue that compete-level is a result of general success within a game.

Nobody disputes this... but wanting it more isn't going to mask fundamental issues this team still has. Nobody is saying compete/jam/passion is irrelevant... we're just saying it's simply one item on a very long to-do list.
- Tomahawk

Agreed. Flyers didnt win this game because they "wanted it more". To me it was because the forwards were getting back and helping the defense. The offense is generally never the issue.

Yup. If "compete-level" is a standalone issue with a team, there needs to be some serious reevaluation of the players on the roster, coaching staff, culture, etc.
- NickTheKid87

I do get the effort/intensity/hunger argument.

Here's the thing, when I played hockey-which I did for a long time-I was on some good teams and some bad teams. I consider myself a hard working player, and honestly was not the most talented guy. I was far more Nick Grossmann or Kent Manderville than Mark Howe or Dave Poulin. I had to work hard to justify my spot on the team.

The thing is, if you're on a team that is bad, can't execute properly and is getting badly outplayed, it can be hard to maintain that intensity. Despite being professionals, NHL players are people, too. They get frustrated. They get discouraged when bad things happen and that can lead to a bad play or seemingly bad compete level.

Anyone who has played a sport long enough understands the feeling when you're out there busting your ass and Jimmy turns the puck over or boots the grounder or whatever and the other team scores.

Effort and intensity often goes hand in hand with execution and confidence. The Flyers had the early penalty kills and quickly tied the game after the first Penguin goal. That seemed to give them a shot in the arm. Then, they take the lead on Bellemare's goal and they took over control of the game.
- Jsaquella

Agreed, you need effort and intensity. Especially when the talent level is lesser. But good teams can still win on off nights.

Trace it back to ancient aliens and I'll declare you today's winner.
- Tomahawk

Agreed, you need effort and intensity. Especially when the talent level is lesser. But good teams can still win on off nights.
- bradleyc4

Absolutely. You can skate through a wall, but if you don't have the talent, you won't win most nights.

Nobody disputes this... but wanting it more isn't going to mask fundamental issues this team still has. Nobody is saying compete/jam/passion is irrelevant... we're just saying it's simply one item on a very long to-do list.
- Tomahawk

As if this was not clearly explained yesterday...