Various sports stuff

Have you heard about the McNabb trade rumour? McNabb to Chicago for Lance Briggs as talked about on WIP as reported by Don McKee as told to him by "one of the area's most sage football observers," someone that works for the NFL.

I actually heard this idea when I was listening to Mark Eckel's show the week following the draft when a caller suggested exactly the same thing. I guess it's only news when an "NFL insider" tells Don McKee his delusion and the Inquirer prints it. And what's weird is that Eckel was on the WIP morning show Monday and they asked him about the trade rumour and he didn't mention the call although he gave pretty much the exact same answer he gave a couple weeks ago - Eagles would never do that because they are competing with the Bears to go to the Super Bowl.

///

Stupid NBC. I was enjoying game 5 of the Eastern Conference championship between Buffalo and Ottawa which went into overtime. Instead of staying with the game NBC went to the Preakness pre-race show which was incredibly banal, pointless, and boring. Instead of showing Alfredson scoring the winning goal which sent Ottawa to the Cup finals for the first time we got incredibly interesting insights on the brief rain showers in Baltimore and were informed that Street Sense was the favorite to win the Triple Crown this year.

///

So the Phillies won 7 out of 10 during their homestand but actually lost ground to Atlanta and the Mets. They have no chance.

///

So why all the moral outrage over dog fighting as it relates to Michael Vick? Sure the dogs were brutalized but lots of other animals are treated equally as bad or worse for human food and fashion (If I listened, I'm sure Eskin is condemning Vick while completely obvlivious to his hypocrisy.) Is it because the dogs were maltreated for entertainment? What about circuses and numerous low budget zoos then?

///

The "Best of the Nest" series that Macknow thought up was OK. The results of many of the games were questionable with highly improbable plays determining outcomes. Reggie White with no sacks? Dorsey Levens with long runs around the edge? The 2004 Eagles calling a sweep with 1 second left in the half from the 17 yard line - and scoring a TD on it? Also, the program that was used to play the imaginary games seemed to heavily weight offensive stats. What made the series though was Joe Conklin's game recreations, his impersonations, and his clever jokes and insults. I'll laugh everytime he does Mike Quick. If not for Conklin, I would have been bored.

Even Eskin can't explain this

Eagles defense sucks and the Eagles have plenty of quality quarterbacks already, so the Eagles brilliantly trade their first round pick to division rival Dallass who drafts for the exact position I thought the Eagles should be filling, defensive end, and draft some quarterback from Houston, home of supreme QB busts David Klingler and Andre Ware, at 36 when he was projected to go late 2nd or early in the 3rd round. And then to top it off they draft a lesser (according to the experts - how would I know?), undersized (typical) defensive end later in the second round than what they passed on at 26.

And to top it off they got less for their first round pick from Dallass than the Patriots got from San Francisco 2 picks later and then they act like they've won 3 Super Bowls in their explanatory press conference. They act like there's no holes to fill NOW while at the same time admitting they wanted Merriweather and Benson. How does that square?

But look at the bright side, they saved a bunch of $$$ by not having to pay anyone first round money and they didn't pick the 25 year old BYU guy or any BYU guys so far. And their last 3 picks of the day might actually help the team next year. I still don't get the first pick though.

Here are links to the profiles of their picks:
Kevin Kolb, QB - kinda looks like a dumb Johnny Knoxville.
Victor Abiamiri, DE - kinda looks like Keith Byers.
Stewart Bradley, OLB - get a haircut, hippie.
Tony Hunt, RB - yea, a power runner! Can't wait till all the PSU losers call WIP and act like he's the next Franco Harris.
C.J. Gaddis, S/CB
Brent Celek, TE - this is the guy that screwed Rutgers last year.
Rashad Barksdale, CB
Nate Ilaoa, FB/RB

Later to Moats, McDougal, and bowtie guy.

Eagles 2007 draft predictions

Last year's draft class may have been the best class ever. The Eagles though managed to avoid its success despite having a million picks. Only Gaither made any meaningful contribution when he was put in at the end of the season. Another example of that brain trust's gold standard stuff.

Nobody has any real idea who the Eagles will get at pick 26, but I predict the Eagles will again find the rough in the diamonds, the 1 guy that contributes nothing all year. They are also good at finding the one guy that gets hurt early on. Or trading up to get a guy like McDougal, who gets hurt and also sucks - a truly special player.

Despite having no clue, people have made their guesses based on what they think the Eagles need - safety, defensive end, linebacker, and apparently cornerback.

Safeties
Brandon Meriweather, Miami - Philadelphia Inquirer's Marc Narducci
Michael Griffin, Texas - nfldraftcountdown.com, ESPN Sportsnation, Inside the Eagles
Eric Weddle, Utah - draftking.com

Defensive Ends
Jarvis Moss, Florida - Don Banks, si.com
Charles Johnson, Georgia - About Football
Other possibility: Anthony Spencer, Purdue

Linebackers
Jon Benson, Miami - Ourlads Scouting, profootballtalk.com

Cornerbacks
Aaron Ross, Texas - Fox Sports. NFLDraftScout.com
Darrelle Revis, Pittsburgh - Draft Daddy and docsports.com
Reggie Nelson, Florida - Scouts Inc.
Other possibility: Marcus McCauley, Fresno State

Defensive Tackles
Alan Branch, Michigan - scout.com (I hope not.)

Wide Receivers
Dwayne Bowe, LSU - Fox Sports

USA Today's "experts" are all over the place - Alan Branch, DT, Michigan, Ryan Kalil, C, Southern Cal, Jon Beason, LB, Miami, Aaron Ross, CB, Texas, Dwayne Bowe, WR, LSU, Jon Beason, LB, Miami, Chris Houston, CB, Arkansas, Aaron Ross, CB, Texas

As for myself, get a defensive end - I know, boring and what's one more right? But Howard sucks, Kearse is a question mark, and Trent Cole dropped off big time as the season wore on. McDougal needs to be cut, Chris Gocong isn't going to be anything anytime either (what a dumb pick). Eagles need a better, more consistent pass rush. They need run stopping more but they already have too much invested in Patterson and Bunkley so they're not going to go there again. I'd go with Jarvis Moss, but like everyone else it's just a best guess. If not I'd be happy with Merriweather even though he's a wannabe gangsta like Pacman Jones.

Added: I'd even be happy if they took this guy. What have they got to lose?

We are the champions!

In case you missed it, and I don't know how you did, Philadelphia's MISL franchise, the Kixx won the championship! WOOHOO! Who's going to the parade with me?!?!?!

Eagles 2007 schedule

Sep 9 @ Green Bay 1:00pm
Sep 17 Washington 8:30pm
Sep 23 Detroit 1:00pm
Sep 30 @ N.Y. Giants 8:15pm
Week 5 BYE
Oct 14 @ N.Y. Jets 1:00pm
Oct 21 Chicago 4:15pm
Oct 28 @ Minnesota 1:00pm
Nov 4 Dallas 8:15pm
Nov 11 @ Washington 1:00pm
Nov 18 Miami 1:00pm
Nov 25 @ New England 8:15pm
Dec 2 Seattle 1:00pm
Dec 9 N.Y. Giants 1:00pm
Dec 16 @ Dallas 4:15pm
Dec 23 @ New Orleans 1:00pm
Dec 30 Buffalo 1:00pm

Schedule looks easier to start, which is good since the Eagles always start slow and Feeley might be the QB. Also, lots of the harder teams the Eagles are playing at home which is also beneficial. Only 1 Monday night game but 3 Sunday night and maybe more with the flex schedule deal. Sunday night probably has replaced Monday as the marquee game of the week and people are figuring the Eagles will be good.

Team Grades 2006-2007

All players graded on a scale, the scale being they play for a crappy team.

Derian Hatcher D Grade C+

Amazingly Hatcher played OK this year, after having a brutal season in 2005-2006. Late in the year he found a niche as a power-play specialist.

3 Mike Rathje D Grade F

By injuring himself early in the year, Rathje had a better season than last years campaign. The guy is slow and injured, so he will surely be released.

5 Braydon Coburn D Grade C

This guy shows tons of potential and he is only 22 years old. A great trade to pick him up for the ancient Zhitnik.

6 Randy Jones D Grade D

Jones probably only played the season with the Flyers due to injuries to other defenseman. He had an inconsistent year. Hitchcock loved this guy, but he has never shown me anything special. He may spend next year with the Phantoms.

8 Geoff Sanderson LW Grade C

Dude is still fast and had a good start to the season (he was the Flyers best player before he got hurt), but was just brutal when he returned with poor passing and turnovers galore. I think he ended up relegated to the 4th line. I would try and trade him for something, but no one wanted him at the deadline. He won’t be back.

9 Scottie Upshall RW Grade B

Another great pick-up. Only 23 years old and a pretty good player already. He may be injury prone (he did miss games with the Flyers).

11 Ryan Potulny C Grade C-

Another guy who probably would have spent the season with the Phantoms if not for injuries on the Flyers. He is only 22 and will probably spend next year with the Phantoms.


12 Simon Gagne Grade B+

Proved he could still score without Peter Foresberg as he notched 40 goals. Best player on the team. Will they make him captain or does that go to Kappanen.

14 Denis Hamel Grade F

Why did they pick up this clown off of waivers? Does nothing. Will be gone and not even missed.

15 Stefan Ruzicka Grade C

Should have spent the season with the Phantoms, but this guy showed some skill when given the chance. He is terribly soft and makes some dumb plays, but is only 22. He may not get any tougher though. He may or may not make the team next year, but will eventually play in the NHL

17 Jeff Carter C Grade C

Inconsistent season for Carter who eventually looked to turn it around towards the spring. Obviously he will be back.

18 Mike Richards Grade C

Also obviously back, but this guy is forever getting hurt. Was great on the penalty kill though. Seems destined to be a top defensive forward not unlike Dave Poulin, scoring 12 goals a year, 5 of which will be short handed.

20 R.J. Umberger C Grade D

Umberger sucked this year on defense. Maybe they gave him responsibilities he can’t handle or maybe he is playing out of position (should be a winger) , but this dude was weak and his offense does not cover his shortcomings. Will be back next year.

22 Mike Knuble Grade B-

This guy played well. Will be back without the cage so Jim Jackson can’t blame the headgear when he loses the puck in his skates.

23 Denis Gauthier D Grade I

Probably the biggest question is whether he returns or not? Was out for long stretches this season so you have to give him an incomplete for the year. Still hits pretty good. If the Flyers sign a top defenseman he may be moved.


24 Sami Kapanen RW Grade C

Moved more into a leadership role this year. Versatile (playing point on the power play) and worth keeping around for those two reasons alone.

27 Dmitry Afanasenkov LW Grade B

Another good pick-up, this time off waivers. Seems to be blossoming as an offensive one on one type player, which the Flyers lack. A pleasant surprise and clearly mismanaged in Tampa where he was made to play the checking role.


28 Lasse Kukkonen D Grade C-

Dude blocks shots, but I did not see anything special from this guy. Will be back becasue he is young and better than the alternatives.


29 Todd Fedoruk LW Grade C

Assumed the leadership role once he arrived. Was tentative when fighting and got KTFO by Orr. Hit a lot and scored some points. Needs to regain his fighting mojo or retire. But he may not have a choice with all those steel plates and concussions.


30 Antero Niittymaki G Grade D

Weak goaltending this year from Nittimaki, who got hurt, lost the starting job to Esche and then failed to win it back. May play in Europe instead of being a back-up next year.

33 Riley Cote LW Grade C

Finally got a shot with the big club late after initially making the team out of training camp. Hit and tried to get dudes to fight. I think Stevens wants to carry a goon, so he may be back if Fedoruk retires.

42 Robert Esche G Grade F

Sucked and whined about Hitchcock. Sucked but got along better with Stevens. He is gone to be a back-up somewhere else.


43 Martin Biron G Grade B-

Good pick up and played fairly well. Seems susceptible to long and high shots from the point though. Wanted to be a starter and the Flyers are committed to him.

44 Joni Pitkanen D Grade F

Not a total bust like Calder, but he regressed this year. Will skate all around and give the puck away and make tons of bone head decisions. Best move all season was taking a Fedoruk punch on the chin in practice.

45 Alexandre Picard D+ Grade D

Again a player who should have spent the season with the Phantoms. Was fairly inconsistent on offense, not so great on defense. Has a good shot from the point and is also only 21 years old. May spend next season with the Phantoms. Had the best Flyers fight this season against the Rangers Ward.

55 Ben Eager LW Grade C+

This guy is entertaining. Good for getting under the opponents skin, hitting and occasionally fighting. Takes a lot of stupid penalties and misconducts though. Could really blossom into a good forechecker, though I think he lacks the hands to become a true power forward like Tocchett.


61 Mike York LW Grade F

Useless. The Bill Root of 2006.


Players that may make the team next year:

Claude Giroux

This scored 112 points in 62 games. Still kind of small (listed as 175lb). He will play for the Phantoms on Friday. Will go back to Junior if he does not make the team.

Steve Downie.

This guy will most likely make the team. A skilled dude that likes to fight and is a bit crazy. Only question is his size. Currently scoring a ton of points in the OHL playoffs.


Ryan Parent

Currently playing with the Phantoms. Apparently he is a speedy stay at home defenseman.

Any thoughts?

Hockey gods, why have you forsaken us?

So on Easter Sunday they rolled away the rock that opens the tomb known as the Flyers locker room and the corpse that is the Flyers team was still in there, ready to play the last 3 periods of the 06-07 season before it can finally be laid to rest. Permanently.

Flyers played with some heart throughout which was a surprise. I suppose you could say they were playing for pride while the Sabres were playing for nothing at all. Sabres took the lead in the first thanks to a play the Flyers have perfected this year -- the turnover at the offensive zone blue line. Two quick passes and Vanek had a semi-breakaway followed by a weak effort by Biron and the Sabres were up 1-0. Knuble quickly answered by making a perfect pass from deep in his own zone to Gagne at the Sabres blue line which led to him having a semi-breakaway and a really nice goal of his own. The announcers barely gave any credit at all to Knuble on his great pass, one of the best I've seen all year.

Early in the second Ruzicka made a real quick move from backhand to forehand at the side of the net to give the Flyers a 2-1 lead. Flyers were playing well and had the upper hand but you knew a breakdown or some sort was coming soon probably along with a bad bounce. Well the breakdown happened followed by Pitkanen (who sucks) clearing the rebound off a Sabre into his own goal. (did i mention that Pitkanen sucks?) The Sabres then took the lead with 10 seconds left in the period on a weak all around effort by the Flyers as they watched Derek Roy walk in front and then get his own rebound for the goal. Weak.

You want to know why the Flyers are the worst team in hockey this year and for the first time in their history? After 2 periods the turnovers were 4 for the Sabres and 14 for the Flyers. The Flyers are the champions of the dumb play. Sometimes they do things that make you think they'd never seen a hockey game before let alone played in one. The only thing they're missing is choking up on the hockey stick and taking shots like they're teeing off. I don't know if this problem is a lack of discipline and/or bad coaching or just plain stupidity. In Pitkanen's case I guarantee you it's stupidity. I think the guy is dumb as a rock. How many times does he make the wrong decision in a game? Anyway, this is one thing the Flyers really need to turnaround or it's going to be the same horror show next year.

So the third period starts and things look bleak. So far this season the Flyers have only won 1 game all year when trailing going into the third. How pathetic is that? But could today be #2? Knuble, who had a really good game, tied it up with a quick wristshot off a faceoff and a bad save by the Sabres scrub backup goalie. Then you felt things might work out this game when the Flyers took the lead on the power play. Too bad this was an NBC game otherwise the McDonald's powerplay payoff winner could have bought their own island. And the goal was just as surprising. It was one where they just went to the net, Knuble on a stuffer, and jammed the puck in the goal, Richards on the rebound, while the Sabres watched. Usually it's the other way around. The rest of the period the Flyers played well but blew chance after chance of taking the mythical (to them) 2 goal lead that would ensure them the victory. How many times this year have they blown a 1 goal lead in the last 2 minutes of the game and then go on to lose in OT or the stupid, gimmicky shootout? Today though that wasn't going to happen, although the Sabres had their chances, and the Flyers held on for the 4-3 victory over the team that you could say triggered their slide into oblivion. Hopefully we'll see a resurrection next year.

Other notes: Pitkanen sucks. Get him out of here. He is never going to be the player people think he should be. Who else should go? York definitely. Esche can go along with the worst mask and pads ever. Sanderson, who played like crap after his injury? Umberger, even though he's young? He had a brutal year defensively, putting up a -30 for the year. Rathje, Gautier, Picard? Who will they get in free agency? And finally, the Flyers did have one winner on their team this season -- Ben Eager, penalty minutes leader. Congratulations champ, you earned it.

Opening Day

Baseball isn't my thing. I just find it a tedious game played by the biggest prima donnas in sports. But I will admit going to a game on a mild summer evening and relaxing while watching a game is appealing, usually a good time, and entertaining except for the tired, wack-ass antics of the stupid Phillie Phanatic. And this season the Phillies are supposed to actually win more games than they lose and maybe make the playoffs. Yes, that's what was supposed to happen last year as well but maybe it will come true in 2007... but probably not.

ESPN picks the Mets to win the division, Phillies to get the wildcard.
Some Fox nerd says Phillies finish third because of a bad spring training.
Diamond Mind Baseball, a genius baseball computer, picks the Phillies.
Sporting News Magazine picks the Phillies to go to the World Series. (no link)
Sports Illustrated picked the Phillies third. (no link)
Jody MacDonald picked the Phillies. (no link)
And Jimmie Rollins picked the Phillies too.

And I will pick the Phillies to make the playoffs with 89 wins and Burrell to be the team's whipping boy.

Willweeverwin NCAA pool results

Even though I picked 6 of 8 elite 8, 3 of 4 final four (should have been 4 of 4 if NC didn't choke, but then again OSU should have been eliminated twice), and both finalists, the willweeverwin pool champion is still in doubt due to how Yahoo weights things.

So according to Yahoo's Scenario Generator...

If Florida wins
1. ronscrappypicks - 159pts, 47 of 63 (picked Florida)
2. TheWrightBracket - 140pts, 44 of 63 (picked Florida)
3. RomoProBowl - 103pts, 43 of 63 (dallass sucks)
4. Netstrodamus Revenge - 101pts, 43 of 63
5. goldie's shot in the dark - 92pts, 43 of 63
6. ChillyV's Picks - 90pts, 47 of 63 (note how many games picked right)
7. ronheartsjesus - 89pts, 42 of 63
8. ChrisJoeRaeMama - 86pts, 44 of 63
9. silver fox - 86pts, 39 of 63
10. JeffC_GoTerps - 81pts, 41 of 63
11. flying hellfish - 78pts, 37 of 63
12. SeannyBoy - 64pts, 37 of 63 (stick to NASCAR)
13. Where's UConn? - 63pts, 34 of 63
14. dick cheney - 9pts, 8 of 63 (wrong about everything, as usual)

If Ohio State wins
1. Netstrodamus Revenge - 133pts, 44 of 63 (picked OSU)
2. ronscrappypicks - 127pts, 46 of 63
3. silver fox - 118pts, 40 of 63 (picked OSU)
4. TheWrightBracket - 108pts, 43 of 63
5. RomoProBowl - 103pts, 43 of 63
6. goldie's shot in the dark - 92pts, 43 of 63
7. ChillyV's Picks - 90pts, 47 of 63
8. ronheartsjesus - 89pts, 42 of 63
9. ChrisJoeRaeMama - 86pts, 44 of 63
10. JeffC_GoTerps - 81pts, 41 of 63
11. flying hellfish - 78pts, 37 of 63
12. SeannyBoy - 64pts, 37 of 63
13. Where's UConn? - 63pts, 34 of 63
14. dick cheney - 9pts, 8 of 63

Works Sucks Special

OK. The following people are in for the Phillies game on the 26th. OB, Wood, Sean Smith, Shana, Walt Svekla, Jeff Pelly. We will be sitting in the $15 terrace. Anyone else who wants in put your name in contacts. I will buy the Tickets on Monday. Remember it is dollar dog day. And this dude will be there.

A moment to note

I meant to post this after it happened but didn't get around to it until now. On March 21, 2007, 21 seconds into the first period the Flyers hit rock bottom.



After the fight the Flyers went on to lose 5-0 to the weak and hated NY Rangers.

Since then they have signed Biron to a 2 year deal, which hopefully is the first of several moves that help turn this team around. Also Hatcher is turning into Tim Kerr scoring his 3rd goal vs. Carolina, which puts him 1 goal behind Pitkanen's 4 for the year. Pitkanen sucks.

WWEW Buisness Person's Special Trip

I am proposing a trip to Citizens Bank Park to see the Phillies take on the Washington Nationals on April 26th. Not only is it a business person special (work sucks), it is college ID discount day (Ron be sure to use that Penn State ID yet again) and Eric Gregg Memorial Phillies' franks dollar dog day (Sean Smith). Anyone interested? Schedule here.

Tournament Time

Deadline to make picks is Thursday, March 15, 12:10pm EST.

The Flyers are dead, the Sixers are losing by winning, the Eagles are bleeding good players in free agency, and the Phillies are inflating our hopes but we all know better. So don't miss your chance to distract yourself from the perpetual misery of Philadelphia sports by rooting for teams from other parts of the country.

Once again I set up "team" willweeverwin over at Yahoo! First go to Yahoo's Tournament Pick'em page and click "Join a Group". If you have a Yahoo ID, login. If not, follow the instructions and get one. Once logged in chose "Join Private".

Group ID#: 78763
Pass: probablynot

Where it says "Bracket Name" is where you would put your name. Then make your picks by the first game on Thursday, March 15. To keep track of your picks you can download the custom willweeverwin NCAA bracket PDF.

And like I said last year, the willweeverwin winner will experience the rare feeling of being a champion. Savor it. Because you won't get that from anywhere else.

Flyers have new look, same results

Flyers picked up two new defensemen, Braydon Coburn and and Lasse “Kooky” Kukkonen. According to known shill Steve Coates, Coburn is big but can skate. Kukkonen is supposedly like a smarter and surer, albeit lesser skilled, Pittkinen. The best part about the trade for Kooky is that “Mr. Minus”, Kyle Calder was sent packing. He will go down in the annuls of Flyer history along with Adam Oates and Chris Gratton. For some reason the Flyers also traded for soon to be free agent and Ray Emery punching bag, Marty Biron. Holgrem spoke to the media about the confusing Goalie situation

“He certainly would have been on our list come July 1. This is just an opportunity for us to jump the gun and get our hands on him quicker.”

Anyway on to the game.

Flyers started out like crap. Horrible play in their own zone plus give-aways made it 4-1 after the first period. Noted Flyer killer and the NHL’s ugliest man, Jason Blake scored a hat trick. The Flyers also gave up a 3 on 0 on a combination of a bad line change and Richards playing with the puck instead of getting it deep into the Islanders zone. It’s more likely to see a goalie score than see that rarest of defensive lapses, but with the Flyers, one never knows.

In the second period the Flyers scored early, but promptly gave up a goal to Chris Simon on yet another defensive breakdown. Todd Fedurok tried to reverse the team's fortunes by fighting Simon off the subsequent face-off, but lost in a rather exciting fight. Then Reid fought Asham and lost. However the fights did seem to energize the Flyers, and lead by Afanasenkov, outplayed the Islanders for the rest of the period, scoring once.

Amazingly the Flyers continued to play well in the third period, and with the help of some lucky bounces, tied the game. I guess the Flyers thought the comeback was victory enough, and were outplayed after Gagne scored to tie. Some great saves by Nittimaki kept the Islanders from winning in regulation. In OT the Flyers continues their poor play and finally the Islanders scored on a power play goal. The summary is here.

Notes: The top line was Gagne-Upshall-Carter which did did okay. York and Sanderson suck. York is useless and Sanderson constantly turns the puck over in the offensive zone. It was hard to tell if the Flyers played so poorly on defense because of the new guys, or that they just suck. Good Gagne quote on fighting.

“The last two years the fights are still there, but I think we should have a little bit more fighting,” he said. “It’s good for hockey and it’s good for the fans.”

Flyers lose Forsberg then lose the game

Good job Flyers. The one game I get to attend this year and you trade Forsberg and the only reason to watch this team minutes before it starts. And this time you didn't even get Eric Lindros in return. Instead you got another big defensemen but a prospect this time instead of a washed up senior citizen, one of Nashville's busts, and a couple of pucks, I mean picks. I realize Forsberg is an unrestricted free agent but I think you could have held out for more. But maybe you're just renting him like Pittsburgh did with Recchi and St. Louis did with Doug Weight since I don't see Forsberg living in Nashville longterm.

As far as the game, the Flyers seemed shocked by the trade and were in a daze in the first period, especially the 3rd string goalie who looked awful. I don't even know his name or have the motivation to look it up. So the Flyers were quickly down 3-0 in the first. Flyers did settle down and start to show up as the game progressed but too many times the Leafs looked like they were on a powerplay when they weren't. But maybe that was the Flyers strategy since their penalty kill is the only thing that is any good this year. Flyers did put the pressure on late in the third and even dominated that stretch of the game but the 3-0 hole was too deep to dig out of, especially without Forsberg, and they lost with mostly a whimper, 4-2. So after beating Detroit, one of the best teams in the league 6-1, they get easily handled by Toronto, a team currently out of the playoffs.

OTHER NOTES: Propp named Hatcher the 3rd star of the game. Forsberg jerseys were still on sale in the Fan Gear shop after the game. They never announced the trade in the building. The refs sucked. Nashville will probably join hockey hotbeds Tampa Bay and Carolina and be the next southern city to win a Stanley Cup. Great job Bettman. Expanding into those markets and having them win Cups has led to skyrocketing popularity of the NHL. Maybe Nashville will get over 20,000 at their parade.