Good news for Rinaldo, too.
- Feanor

Bad news for the Flyers.

Bill Meltzer: Flyers-Penguins Wrapup: Flyers Prevail in OT, 3-2, in War of a Game
- bmeltzer

Very entertaining game last night, to me last night was an example of the brand of Hockey that's made the franchise historical successful. In terms of drafting and developing players, sure we could use a change. In terms of style of player, this is what the Flyers are. This idea of a culture change, round peg, square hole. Unfortunately I still feel like we nees to get tougher. When Voracek, Raffl and Bellemare are forced to fight, I'm not necessarily sure that's a good thing.

Good news for Rinaldo, too.
- Feanor

unfortunately, true

Speaking of MDZ, is his nickname really "Otto"? Thought I heard the mics pick up somebody calling him that on the ice. If so, that's a sad nick.
- Tomahawk

i don't know....otto always makes me think of kevin kline's character in 'a fish called wanda'

i thought i heard someone say "where the (frank) is he going?" when simmonds was circling back into the defensive zone in this third.....mikes were picking up a lot

Speaking of MDZ, is his nickname really "Otto"? Thought I heard the mics pick up somebody calling him that on the ice. If so, that's a sad nick.
- Tomahawk

Heard the same.

"They were loving it. I think we just have to get those four days (during the All-Star break) and come back to this kind of game.”

Bellemare.

Absolutely correct. That is how they need to play, and be willing to engage in some of the extra curricular stuff. Initiate not retaliate. This team has for years played better when they allow themselves to step away from some moronic machine approach to the game.

Stop fearing taking a penalty, and take the leash off. For the first time in a long time, I was entertained. That level of intensity doesn't need to happen every game, but something similar should be entrenched into a team wide culture.

It was fun, and for this rag tag crew that was probably the most fun they have had all year. I never doubt the heart of the majority of this team, the skill level sure, but they did not assemble themselves.

Unleash them every game, and play to win. Not scared to win. Scared to take a penalty call. Good show.
- flyer_nutter

I think his question was, if they had a position on the 2nd line open, why wasn't Akeson called up and, similarly, if they had a 4th line spot open, why was Akeson used there instead of a VdV/Jones type?
- jmatchett383

There could be a number of reasons why a player is called up or isn't. Perhaps the Flyers feel that Akeson is better off right now in the AHL developing his game. The istuation with Akeson when he made the team out of camp was discussed ad nauseum. Bottom line is that Akeson't puck skills and offensive game isn't strong enough to keep him in the league without developing more of an all around game away from the puck. The open spot for him when he was up was on the 4th line.

Bad news for the Flyers.
- Daveflyers36

Sure, but I don't want Letang out injured because of an illegal hit by a Flyer.

I can't say I'll be surprised if Letang is fine. There was no direct head contact and he wasn't sent flying into the boards from a few feet out the way BSchenn was by Wilson last season. For which he got no suspension despite traveling half the rink to make the hit.

i don't know....otto always makes me think of kevin kline's character in 'a fish called wanda'

i thought i heard someone say "where the (frank) is he going?" when simmonds was circling back into the defensive zone in this third.....mikes were picking up a lot
- hogweed

Otto makes me think of former shutdown center, Joel Otto.

They also got robbed on the loose puck that was blown dead on the (Schenn?) no goal. Even.
- jmatchett383

exactly....and what's his face got a free punch in the face on schenn too

He's a decent 4th line player, but lots of puck luck for vandevelde this year. Matt Read however can't buy a goal.
- MJL

I disagree, I think he has enough money to purchase himself a 2nd period goal, with roughly 14:24 left to play.

I agree the MDZ hit was worse, Zac hits pretty heavy for a guy his size, so rarely does he just bounce off like MDZ did...
- JW98FlyerFan

Flyers play soft, boring, lifeless hockey 47/48 games this season. Everyone complains how soft, boring, and lifeless the team is.

Flyers play 1 (incredibly) dirty game this season, but with energy and passion. Everyone complains how dirty player is embarrassment to the team/league, how 93 shouldn't spend 17 minutes in the box, how PEB should have taken his helmet off, blah blah blah ---

Were you not entertained?

Sure, but I don't want Letang out injured because of an illegal hit by a Flyer.

I can't say I'll be surprised if Letang is fine. There was no direct head contact and he wasn't sent flying into the boards from a few feet out the way BSchenn was by Wilson last season. For which he got no suspension despite traveling half the rink to make the hit.
- Feanor

I don't want Letang out injured either, I just don't want Rinaldo back on the ice for the Flyers again EVER!!! It shouldn't have come to this for people to realize that he is a useless player and has no upside.

He doesn't come off as real bright. I'm going with he actually meant it.
- Scoob

im not defending rinaldo with those comments, b/c even tho im in the minority on how bad this hit was, here's a guy who management put their stamp on last summer. they value this stuff over skill and game awareness.

Flyers play soft, boring, lifeless hockey 47/48 games this season. Everyone complains how soft, boring, and lifeless the team is.

Flyers play 1 (incredibly) dirty game this season, but with energy and passion. Everyone complains how dirty player is embarrassment to the team/league, how 93 shouldn't spend 17 minutes in the box, how PEB should have taken his helmet off, blah blah blah ---

Were you not entertained?
- Moose_15

this!

Sure, but I don't want Letang out injured because of an illegal hit by a Flyer.

I can't say I'll be surprised if Letang is fine. There was no direct head contact and he wasn't sent flying into the boards from a few feet out the way BSchenn was by Wilson last season. For which he got no suspension despite traveling half the rink to make the hit.
- Feanor

I was thinking the exact same thing. Wilson targets players with their back to the boards and has caught a few of our guys a few times and less hell was raised over it around here. I'm not sure it's wise to hope Letang is hurt to get Rinaldo out of the line up. At least it sounds this way to me.

im not defending rinaldo with those comments, b/c even tho im in the minority on how bad this hit was, here's a guy who management put their stamp on last summer. they value this stuff over skill and game awareness.
- JoeRussomanno

Joe do you think the hit was worthy of a 5 minute major penalty, and worthy of a suspension.

Flyers play soft, boring, lifeless hockey 47/48 games this season. Everyone complains how soft, boring, and lifeless the team is.

Flyers play 1 (incredibly) dirty game this season, but with energy and passion. Everyone complains how dirty player is embarrassment to the team/league, how 93 shouldn't spend 17 minutes in the box, how PEB should have taken his helmet off, blah blah blah ---

Were you not entertained?
- Moose_15

Yes and have been entertained many times before but I have yet to see the Flyers raise Lord Stanley's Cup.

Sure, but I don't want Letang out injured because of an illegal hit by a Flyer.

I can't say I'll be surprised if Letang is fine. There was no direct head contact and he wasn't sent flying into the boards from a few feet out the way BSchenn was by Wilson last season. For which he got no suspension despite traveling half the rink to make the hit.
- Feanor

Letang's face slammed against the glass pretty hard from the force of the hit.

http://www.tsn.ca/tsn-hockey-s-top-30-nhl-affiliated-prospects-1.183391
- jak521

how long until maxi domi realizes the miley cyrus tongue out thing is douchey?

how long until maxi domi realizes the miley cyrus tongue out thing is douchey?
- aightwebang17

If it works...

Bad news for the Flyers.
- Daveflyers36

These boards crack me up.

Were several games below .500 and everyones picking on our 12-13th forward like hes miraculously changed the way he plays hockey.

News flash: the first goal, while unassisted, doesn't get scored unless Rinaldo makes a GOOD, SMART, HOCKEY PLAY followed up by a great effort on the forecheck.

I'm not seeing what everyone else is seeing in the hit. Zac got 5 minutes because Letang dropped on all 4's and 10 because of his reputation. Period. Do not sit here and try to explain to me how that hit was insanely malicious. It's a charging major at absolute worst.

Zac is a high energy, 4th line guy that I want on this team. The kid has a bad rep, but he's not Chris (frank)ing Simon for christ sakes.

Joe do you think the hit was worthy of a 5 minute major penalty, and worthy of a suspension.
- MJL

no, boarding call amd maybe roughing, 4 minutes tops. its a physical sport, dont like it? go do figure skating and ballet.

Just to mention a positive for Zac. His forecheck hit separated the Penguin from the puck and led to the first goal scored by Luke Schenn. The first penalty he took was really embellished by Ehrhoff and they could have called him for diving there. No excuse for the late boarding hit on Letang, that was just a bad play.

I do not think things are so black and white with Rinaldo as most are painting him today. I do agree with Bill that if he could tone down the dumb and work on hockey he could be like a Roussell or Clusterbuck. Lots of guys play on the edge but have successful careers in the NHL. In Rinaldo's case he may never get there.

Glad to here Letang is going to be OK.

These boards crack me up.

Were several games below .500 and everyones picking on our 12-13th forward like hes miraculously changed the way he plays hockey.

News flash: the first goal, while unassisted, doesn't get scored unless Rinaldo makes a GOOD, SMART, HOCKEY PLAY followed up by a great effort on the forecheck.

I'm not seeing what everyone else is seeing in the hit. Zac got 5 minutes because Letang dropped on all 4's and 10 because of his reputation. Period. Do not sit here and try to explain to me how that hit was insanely malicious. It's a charging major at absolute worst.

Zac is a high energy, 4th line guy that I want on this team. The kid has a bad rep, but he's not Chris (frank)ing Simon for christ sakes.
- mochoson

True, Chris Simon could actually play hockey and score 10 goals in a NHL season