Former NHLer Peter Zezel Passes Away at 44

Peter Zezel will be remembered by most as part of the Philadelphia's "Young Turks" from the mid 1980s and a key component of the Toronto Maple Leafs appearances in the 1993 and 1994 conference finals.

Many Toronto area children will remember him as the man who helped them learn to skate or improve their hockey skills, regardless of playing level. Zezel operated successful hockey and sports camps in the Toronto suburb of Markham.

Zezel was single and had no children. He leaves behind his parents Valerie and Peter Sr, sister Neda, brother-in-law Richard, two nephews, and a niece.

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Here Comes Santa Claus

I'm being stingy this year with my naughties and nices. So here's the short list for my team.

Let's start with the naughty list, okay? It's the holidays, my sense of goodwill to all has kicked in, and I'm about to start vacation. My only real naughty goes to Danny Briere's groin. Enough already! Let the man earn the hefty paycheck stipulated by that enormous free agent contract.

And now for the nice list...

Dear Captain, you have been entertaining and productive this season (once again). Thank you. In return, my gift for you is the stones to continue guiding this crew.

Simon Gagne, I am so happy with this season's return and success. (I can only guess how you must feel about it.) I'm getting you immunity from all head shots this season.

Jeff Carter, where do I begin? That wrister can be so deadly to opposing goalies. For you, my gift is the slap shot. You need a second, consistent scoring mechanism to continue rounding out your play in the drive for more goals and the ASG.

Kimmo Timonen, I really can't put into words all the nice you have been since you came to Philly. My present for you is continued patience, skill, vision, and grit...all the key things I think make you a great defenseman on the ice.

Antero Niittymäki, my gift for you is continued good hip health. We need you! And I still think you have one of the best splits in the NHL.

And, Lasse Kukkonen, I still like you. My gift for you are skates that don't allow pucks to bounce into the goal, but away from it instead.

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Flyers coach John Stevens

During the season that shall not be named, the Flyers waited eight games for eight straight losses, then revamped the GM and Coach. John Stevens moved from the Phantoms, our AHL team, across the parking lot to the big team.

For many, this seemed to be good move due to his history with the organization as 1.) a player for our AHL teams the Hershey Bears and the Philadelphia Phantoms, coincidentally with the latter as the captain during their 1998 Calder Cup championship win, and 2.) as a coach, when he led the Phantoms to their second Calder Cup in 2005.

Currently, I'm of two minds with regard to Johnny for one simple reason: he's too freakin' steady behind the bench! Why is this a problem?

Well, let me start with why I like Coach Stevens being so steady. Last season was awesome for Flyer fans! (Um, until February when everything when further south than an ice cube at midday in the Sahara.) While much of that success came from the guys wearing the equipment and uniforms, another part was due to Stevens' consistency and support. Line shuffling, injuries, and - yes - suspensions happened, but Johnny stayed on-message. He reaffirmed the skills that needed to be developed and the areas that were strong.

But, darn it, he needed to call a few guys out for suckitude! In my view, that only happened once last season. And this is becoming more of my attitude for whatever is going down with the team this year...going down being the operative part of the description.

Honestly, getting the puck in the goal isn't our biggest issue at this point, if the scores from all those seven losses at the start of the season are anything to go by. (And, yes, they are!)

No, our issue is far more ironic than that: defense. Ironic for two simple reasons.

1.) It was our sticking point last season and it's playing out that way yet again.

Right as we headed into the regular season this year, we lost two players who I think could be key to our defense being successful during the 08-09 campaign: Ryan Parent and Randy Jones. And it's not like we lost them for a short time, a la Tiny!Briere. Nope, Parent is out 12-14 weeks and Jones was scheduled for 6-8 weeks.

Also, our defense not playing up to par in terms of positioning, speed, and sheer gutsy-ness means that our goalies are working harder and not as smartly.

2.) John Stevens was a defenseman.

X-posted to Flyers.Femme blog.

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Flyers Soundtrack

It's all there: Hope, love/hate, good times, a black shirt and some torture, a few rockin' Aussies, an annoying pop princess, a little punk, and a feel-good summer song.

Type rest of the post here
1. Shop Around - The Miracles

Homer canabalized the remains of the Bobby Clarke dinosaurish Flyers line-up from the season which shall not be named and went on a shopping spree last summer!

2. Whistle While You Work - Snow White

Coach Stevens decided to hie the boys to a ropes course in Whistler, BC for some team-building. (I was completely envious!)

3. Light My Fire - The Doors

Kick @$$ Western road-trip to start the season, when it looked like that Briere-Gagne thing would piss everyone in the NHL off for 82 games.

4. Welcome to the Jungle - G n R

First six homes games ROCKED! (Note to Wachovia sound guys during Flyers games: The proper place to play this is the intermission between the end of the third and the start of overtime. No other time is acceptable, unless your aim is to make them lose! And, in that case, you should be fired.)

5. Are You Gonna Go My Way? - Lenny Kravitz

The guys just turned horribly, consistently inconsistent for a good part of the season. Sometimes there were good streaks...like leading into the All-Star break. And then...

6. La Tortura - Shakira feat. Alejandro Sanz and La Camisa Negra - Juanes

The whole month of February was so painful...and I wore a lot of black.

7. Back in Black - AC/DC

Somehow we started clawing our way back into the mix.

8. Celebrate - Kool and the Gang

It was a nail-bitter to the end. Thanks to some timely wins - and other teams' timely losses - we actually made the playoffs!?! (See, I'm still a bit blown-over by it.)

9. Are You Gonna Be My Girl? - Jet
Actual video v. Live at Melbourne Forum (their hometown, yo!)

Okay, this one's just for the music. But, yes, I was! I ponied up the $ for a last-minute ticket to Game 3, hung with a bunch of Norwegians in town to see Patrick Thoresen play, saw Sami score another goal, and drank a couple too many 'ritas and beer. But they won! And took the series in 7.

10. Oops!...I Did It Again - Britney Spears

'Cause who'da thunk it? Knock out the Habs? Philly? But we did, we did! Somehow.

11. Basket Case and Good Riddance (Time of Your Life) - Green Day

And then, the Pens.

12. I'm Yours - Jason Mraz

Yep, they're on vacation. No hockey. Me, I'm just kicking it until August.

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Me So Sad

Yeah, I know that the march toward Lord Stanley's Cup is the big hockey story right now. But I'm dying over here!

Sami Kapanen retired from the NHL today. He and the family are returning to Finland where he'll play for KalPa Kuopio (the team for which he his majority owner).

I can't say I'm overly surprised by the decision. I do wish I could have had another season watching him at the Wachovia Center. (But, I suspect that's the case for any fan when her favorite player hangs up the skates.)

It's the end of a thirteen season era for me. Now I'll have to figure who my next favorite Finn will be. Timonen, Niitty or Kukkie? Perhaps some one on another team or coming my way in the future?

In any case, best of luck to you, Sami, wherever this hockey life takes you! And thanks to your family for sharing you with us.

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Best way to end the regular season?

Take your final two games. Have them at home in front of your loyal fans. Make sure you're playing your two biggest division rivals.

The best part of this classic hockey recipe?

Back-to-back shut-outs! (One of which was probably the best game I've seen all season.)

Another great way to end the season? With some humor in the dressing room interviews!

The reporters' questions following today's game focused on facing the Washington Capitals in the first round. Martin Biron (goalie) is always so fun to listen to because he's so nice. Scottie Upshall (forward) has done well in his interviews too; he makes me think of my younger brothers for some reason.

However, future captain Mike Richards (center and our 12-year man) was the best one today. When asked about the challenges they'll face against the Caps, Richie responded "Uh, I think they've got a pretty good scorer in Ovechkin."

CapsChick and Shmee, good luck to you two, your fellows Caps fans, Zilla, OV and all the other guys!

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Working For It

After last season's misery, this Flyers season has been (infinitely) more tolerable.

I'm sure many fans like me weren't sure what to expect for this season at this point in the last one. I knew that Paul Holmgren would bargain for everything he could over the summer, he landed a hugely improved line-up and I've had fun watching them.


With just a few weeks left in the regular season, the guys are actually battling it out for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. (At the time I'm writing this, NHL.com has them listed seventh.)

Currently, here are a few of the not-so-stupid random facts that have made this season fun:

• Only NHL team with six players having scored over 20 goals. (Lups, please get two more and make it seven!)
• Number two power play and a surging penalty kill.
• Multiple scoring lines and someone always capable of picking up the slack when a player (or two or three) are out of the line-up.
• A fair number of players who own hat-tricks (and at least two with two).

I really do believe that had we not had the concussions, injuries, 10-game losing streak, win-one-lose-one streak and - yes - the suspensions, we'd be a lot higher in the rankings than we are now. Likewise, there have been plenty of points in the season where I've seen room for key improvements on seemingly small things that would have made all the difference.

But you know, I wouldn't trade it for anything. Should the worst happen and we don't make it into the playoffs - or worse, we do and have to face the Devils in the first round! - I'll still be a happy Flyers fangirl eagerly looking forward to the 2008-09 season and trying to figure out who I'll be cheering for in the post-season.

Putting aside all the happy, sappy, feel-good stuff:

Dear Guys,

Still love yas but keep moving out there. Work for it - the playoffs and the cheers of your faithful fans!

Yours truly,
Nadine

(P.S.: Really, could it be a just a little more mathematically tighter to determine which Eastern Conference teams will start their vacations in early April? It's crazy, yo!)

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My Favorite Flyer

Recently, my friend Ryan speculated that my favorite Flyer, Sami Kapanen, looked like trade bait if he didn't score soon. While anything is possible, I decided not to make my appeal in the once-traditional, back-and-forth message exchange. (That's so 1996!)

Instead, here are the top five reasons I gave Ryan as to why Sami Kapanen is my favorite and how he ended up on my sweater.

(Most of the linked items below are on YouTube. The two in # 3 and 4 are not. They'll all pop up as separate windows.)

5. Sami always looks so happy when he scores or helps someone else do it.

4. While he's not always the biggest talker, Sami means what he says and isn't afraid to just say it. (I love this 8/2/2007 interview on the Steve and Preston Show, but you need to have 10 minutes to listen to it.)

3. Sami, like Gator, seems to be a family guy who plays hockey for a living.

2. Three words: Darcy Tucker's hit.

1. Sami has always been known for his awesome physical conditioning, work ethic and speed.

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Gator gets 1000...

Well okay, so we all know he has way more than that, but since blocked shots are one of the least tracked stats, we'll have to settle with 1000 for now. That's a lot of bruises!

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This dude for the win.

(If you don't get it, this is the original. It's been making the rounds.)

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System of a Down

Cross-posted to Hockey Will Tear Us Apart.

Just as he got over the centre red line, heading towards the offensive blueline, he clearly identified McAmmond in the far corner, beginning to move behind the net, and Downie sprinted at top speed. It was clear from way before the moment of contact what he was doing and what was going to happen if McAmmond didn't alter his course. It was like watching a high-speed auto accident unfold right in front of you.

To Downie's credit, I suppose, he did stop churning his legs and began to glide, mitigating the issue of a charge to some degree. But there was never any doubt in my mind what was in Downie's mind, he was going avenge the hit he took and McAmmond was going to pay the price.

-- Bob McKenzie

On McAmmond

Current status: Dean has been released from the hospital with no serious injury. He is expected in Scotiabank Place today for treatment.

We should expect this to be a long-term injury. McAmmond has a colourful history of past concussions and with his age, his long-term brain health is the most important thing.

Dean is a huge loss for the Senators. He was such a reliable player, and even though this allows a rookie to make the team (Nikulin? Foligno?), they won't have his experience.

Also, we won the game 4-2.

Worst headline: McAmmond goes Downie.

On Downie

He's not a dirty player -- there is a difference between a calculated intent to injure, and an inability to calculate at all. Steve Downie isn't known for dirty hits, he's known for general psychotic behaviour: attacking players, beating up a rookie because the rookie refused to strip and cram into a bus bathroom. He's been suspended from the OHL more times than anyone cares to keep track.

Sure, it's to his advantage to be tenacious and edgy but there's a fine line between physical and psycho. Won't someone, anyone, sit him down and tell him that he needs to stop following his emotions and use his goddamn brain?

Shouldn't it have occured to him that this was a preseason game? Shouldn't Downie have realized that headhunting is a hyperbolic overreaction to whatever he thought wasn't being called? Shouldn't Downie have realized that he was essentially targeting whatever is left of Dean McAmmond's brain?

Shouldn't Downie have realized that he had just intentionally, violently hurt another human being and felt some sort of sympathy? Many reports are coming out that Downie was giggling as blood gurgled from Dean McAmmond's nose and mouth.

At least Colby Armstrong had the emotional intelligence to be concerned. Downie has never apologized for his actions in the OHL, even though he got his entire team's staff fired, even though he's been suspended so many times. He destroyed an entire team and never once said sorry. That's why I don't believe his "heartfelt remorse" statement after the game. He hasn't changed. He's just getting better at PR.

Downie has always been a battler on the ice, in part to answer the personal challenges he faced. His father, John Downie, was killed in an auto accident when he was driving seven-year-old Steve to an early morning practice in Everett, Ont. Ann Downie took over driving her sons, Steve and Greg, to hockey practices and maintaining the family farm in Queensville, a hamlet north of Toronto.

At age 13, Downie lost the hearing in his right ear. He wears a hearing aid off the ice. All through those life challenges, Downie displayed one stoic trait he never complained.

“After all that has happened and all he has had to overcome, you never see Steve feeling sorry for himself,” Twohey said. “He’s an upbeat kid, a positive kid who is liked by all his teammates.”

You know, Steve, saying sorry isn't the same thing as feeling sorry for yourself.

Unless someone in a mentor role takes control of Steve Downie right now, there will be bigger hits and bigger consequences to come. He has the history of violence and clearly lacks stability and emotional control. He's a psychopath!

I loathe the day I see his face on a newspaper again.

Lastly, perhaps it's beyond my concern as just a hockey fan, but I worry about Steve Downie off the ice. I don't believe that you can just "turn it off" away from the arena; that sort of rage is praticed and instilled. I wouldn't want to be around him when he gets angry.

Why I Love the Ottawa Senators

Throughout the entire scrum that followed Downie's hit, Patrick Eaves was trying to shove bodies off McAmmond, get the medical staff, and push the doctor onto the ice as fast as he could. Then he made sure we won the game for Dean with 2 assists.

Dean and Patrick are close off the ice, and the last time Patrick was knocked out, Dean literally fought for him, against Maxim Talbot.

It's us against the world.

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Philadelphia Freedom

Hi, everyone! I'm Nadine and I'll be the second voice for the Flyers. I've been an obsessive hockey fan for about 16 years, and I love goalies because I lived with one...one of my younger brothers...and I know what the job takes.

Big thanks to Kristin for seeing my blog and encouraging me to join the group. And larger thanks to all of you for creating and participating in this space for female hockey fans.

So, here’s my take as a Philadelphia Flyers fan…where we are passionate about our team – win, lose, or tie!

1. Where you're from, what you do - basic things.

We moved a lot when I was growing up, so I never know how to answer this. Here’s the short version: Born in Altoona, PA. Lived in various places in Ohio, then Maryland, college in Virginia, a year in Ecuador, out to Chicagoland, and back to Maryland.

I now live in Philly, and work tirelessly planning education seminars around the country. But I see the occasional game in-person, and watch others on TV.

2. Your team and why you like them.

The Flyers! I’ve liked them since I started watching hockey obsessively 16 years ago. (My brother Eli started playing hockey and there was no turning back for my family.) What attracted me to the Flyers? Rox Hextall.

Since then, the Flyers have had other interesting and talented players. There have been great seasons and last year’s nightmare. And while there are other teams and players I like, the Flyers are the team I keep coming back to each year.

3. Your least favourite team and why?

I don’t really have one. I just enjoy watching hockey, played at any level.

But I have to answer, so it’s the Penguins and only because they’re in Pittsburgh – the other big city in Pennsylvania. Cross-state rivalries can be so much fun!

4. Your favourite player of all time & now?

All-time: Jacques Plante – He had all kinds of goalie firsts, but he was the one who made the goalie mask a part of everyday equipment. (And now we get to enjoy some fantastic artwork!)

Now: Martin Biron – First, he plays for the Flyers. Second, I am so happy he has the chance to be our #1 goalie! He played back-up to some really good ones in Buffalo. Plus, I believe his contribution last season after his trade was immediate and helpful.

5. If you had to punch one hockey player or member of the NHL organisation, who and why?

For me, this is a two-way tie.

Gary Buttman, uh, Bettman: Can we please have a new commissioner? Someone that will get us a good TV deal? Someone who will veto merchandisers that try to give me a jersey in pink?!! And I really miss Campbell, Wales, Norris, Patrick, Adams and Smythe. (This is not basketball!)

“Dollar Bill” Wirtz: He’s destroyed the ‘Hawks, an Original Six team. When I lived in the Chicago area, I couldn’t watch hockey on TV (because the volunteer house didn’t have cable) and I couldn’t go to a game (because I couldn’t buy a ticket on my volunteer stipend).

6. What you'll be looking forward in this group blog.

I like the idea of talking about all things hockey with other female fans. I can’t do that with rink/puck bunnies because they don’t seem to understand my snarky remarks. Guys just don’t know what to make of my more in-depth commentary. “She sure doesn’t sound like a puck bunny.” Honest, I heard that at a game last season. Grr!

7. What you don't like in general?

Double standards. Math. Guys who dive (Briere, I'm looking at you). Drunk driving. People who hate. Rink/puck bunnies. Pay grades. The NHL merchandisers who bought into the pink idea that permeates professional sports. Gary Bettman. Bill Wirtz. Bobby Clarke (as a non-player). Bush administration (Is it 01/29/2009 yet?).

8. What role do female fans play in keeping the game alive?

Female fans are more consistent and loyal. When we become a fan, we stay a fan. We don’t defect just because of one bad season, like some male “fans” I know.

More importantly, we raise future athletes – in one way or another. We’re their mothers, aunts, cousins, godmothers, sisters, mentors, best friends, muses and acquaintances. We care about them being more than “that big guy” who hits really hard, scores a lot of goals, or stops a lot of shots.

9. What role do female fans play in picking heroes for the community?

We know there’s more to being a sports hero than just good stats, and we don’t let the stats override the importance of the human component. How involved are the players and team in my community, beyond working hard to bring in the Stanley Cup? Who contributes to our community in a positive way?

(Guys: It’s so much nicer to be able to respect you as a human and as a player. Who knows when a trade will happen? But female fans talk to each other, and we will spill the beans on your bad rep and exactly why you have it.)

10. Hockey just isn't the same without...

Steve Yzerman suited up, making spectacular plays, and befuddling goalies across the league. (This guy was and still is a hockey hero!)

11. If you were on a deserted island, which player would you pick tostay with you?

I’m going newly old-school on this with Alexander Mogilny. Because if we were on the deserted island due to a turbulence-related plane crash, we both would have refused to fly that day! Instead, we’d probably be having a really great conversation in the airport waiting for the next flight with seats available.

12. Crosby, Ovechkin or Phaneuf (hey he tried!)?

I’m going with Ovie because he plays for the team closest to where my parents and brother live now. So if Eli and I take in a game over a long-weekend visit, it will be the Caps.

13. The player you'd like to take for a grand night out/a movie/a boring event?

I’m picking Maxime Talbot for all three, because he is just so darn funny/cute.

14. If you could make your own team, regardless of whatever players,what would it be called and where will it be/how would it be like?

I would raise a capital campaign to buy-out the Chicago Blackhawks and return that Original Six team to its fans, local TV stations, the playoffs…in short restore it to its former glory. (It’s so poorly run right now that it would be like starting over anyway.)

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Oh Danny boy!

Thanks to Teka for posting this in the Cbox, but really, I needed to make sure everyone had a chance to see it.

Click here to see the weirdest commercial ever.

I am worried for Briere in this commercial...he looks like he is lost in a bad part of town. And what is up with the dog? And why is he calling his shots like Vincent in The Color of Money? And really, he should never try to make a mean face, it just makes me laugh.

But it does get me pumped for the start of the season (after I stop laughing of course).

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Do we have to call him "the reamer"?

Well, we picked our guy. I have a few concerns:

1) He had trouble putting his jersey on. Now I'm no expert at putting on a hockey jersey, but to me, you put one arm in, the other arm in, and then pop your head through the head hole. This character tried to put it on all at once and ended up all tangled up and gangly looking. Sheesh. Put it on like you've done it before buddy!

2) I heard one news organization call him "the reamer". Um, sorry, but I am pretty sure that nickname is taken by a porn star. Choose again.

3) He is from New Jersey, and is a Devils fan. Can he be trusted?

4) Not entirely related, but does Flyers' GM Paul Holmgren have a pulse? I'm down with the poker face guy, but cmon, get a little excited about stuff! (Great job in the off season so far, btw!)

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He did it!

Sorry ladies, Marty is going to be a Flyer for real now!

Jordi, I didn't buy my jersey in time to jinx it!

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All Aboard!

Gosh, jumping on the bandwagon. You make it sound like a bad thing!

Last year, I was on the Oilers bandwagon. I got into hockey late in the season, just in time to watch Roloson and the Oilers play Detroit in the first game of their series. Sure, the Oilers lost in double overtime, but Roli was amazing and I jumped on the bandwagon. At the time, I didn't know it was a bandwagon, or know that it was a bandwagon that would go so far, but what a ride. My boyfriend loves former Flyer Rod Brind’Amour, so he jumped on the Carolina bandwagon. We had ourselves a friendly little rivalry that carried us all the way to the Finals. It would have been a boring end to the season without the bandwagons!


(Picture of last year's bandwagon. And yes, that is a Phillies blanket made for me by my Aunt...you know you're jealous!)

If you watch a lot of hockey (and I think most of us here do), it is natural to pick one team over the other. For example, last night I was watching the Rangers/Pens game, and for some reason, I was rooting for the Penguins. I was incensed at the Rangers second goal and was yelling obscenities at the refs. “Why did you not blow the whistle? You can’t see the puck, there should have been a whistle! You can’t decide it is a goal after the goalie gets up and you see where the puck is!!!"

But I digress.

If you watch a lot of hockey, you are going to see some teams you like and some you don’t. At a minimum, you can have one Western and one Eastern Conference team. My team is the Flyers, but I also love the Ducks. I watch a good amount of Ducks games, and although I don’t follow them as closely as the Flyers, I would consider them my other team. So, yes, I will be jumping on that bandwagon soon.

*goes to NHL.com to order Ducks gear*

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Pick a player, any player!

This year, the Flyers have had a record number of transactions. They have called up nearly every player from the Phantoms, and sent down a few surprises (hello Petr Nedved!). At one point, they had so many guys going back and forth, I was sure that I would see Forsberg playing for the Phantoms.

As a minor league season ticket holder, I was looking forward to 40 games with Ben Eager. He played October 15th vs Binghamton, and I thought to myself, “wow, he looks a lot faster and sharper than the other guys.” That was the first and last time I saw him as a Phantom this year. He has spent the rest of the season as a Flyer. He frustrates me a lot as a Flyer...his puck handling skills could use some work. During the Detroit game (or was it Toronto?) he had a clear cut opportunity to score, and opted to pass the puck instead. Argh. His skills as an enforcer and instigator and his energy are what makes him a good addition to the Flyers at this point.

Eager is currently out with an ankle injury, and the Flyers have called up my boy Darren Reid to fill his skates. Why do they have to keep taking my favorites? Reid is fantastic as a Phantom: he works hard every shift, always put himself in scoring position and gets good goals. Prior to being called up, he was our top scorer. His downside is that he is a bit of a puck hog and one trick pony…he sorta scores the same way every time. He is also a mess defensively and when he gets stuck in the defensive zone I have a little panic attack because we are likely to get scored on. I think he will be back once Eager is all better. (edit: Eager was back last night and Reid was sent down)

Two other players have been bounced back and forth a lot this year: Stefan Ruzicka and Ryan Potulny. Both of these guys have been good up with the big club, but there has been so much transition and playing around with the lines that neither has really had an opportunity to find their niche. (edit: Ruzicka earned first star honors in last night’s win over Atlanta with a goal and two assists.)

All this calling up and sending down can drive a girl crazy. I am happy to see the guys get their chance in the NHL. Usually though, this means that they were performing really well on the Phantoms, and that now the Phantoms chemistry will be a little off. Also, I worry that getting sent back down is a huge blow to their self esteem. I know I would be anxiety ridden if my boss couldn't make up his mind on where he wanted me to be!

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See ya later alligator!

As the resident Flyers hlogger, I would be remiss in my duties if I didn't blog a bit about today's trade of Peter Forsberg.

First off, let me say that I am not a huge fan of Forsberg. I realize that he is a great player and playmaker, but he is not the reason I watch the Flyers. In fact, for most of the season, I routinely bad mouthed him and demanded to the hockey gods that he be traded. I drooled over all the awesome players we could get and who else we could buy with the money we'd be saving.

Well, a funny thing happened over the last few weeks. Forsberg's foot problems disappeared and he played like he was supposed to. He played like he wanted to be traded. And his level of play brought the Flyers level of play up a bit. They played like a team. And I was happy for a few fleeting days (hours?).

So today, basking in the glow of two wins in a row, I came to the realization that he was going to be traded. Yes, that's right...I was getting in my car after work and the realization hit me.

After work, I watched Daily News Live (local sports news show) and they mentioned that he had a meeting today but did not comment on the outcome. No big deal...he has had countless meetings about his contract over the past few weeks. But still, I had a nagging worry at the back of my brain.

I got to the game a few minutes late so I missed the scratches. When they announced the starting lineup, Mike Richards was in instead of Forsberg. I got an uneasy feeling in the pit of my stomach.

Then the guys came out, and they played like crap. Really. A completely different team then the last two games, which I happened to be at in person. I text messaged my first row ticket buddy because I saw that he was not in his seats. He wrote back that he was in the bar and that Forsberg had been traded to Nashville.

Whoa.

I turned to Rod to give him the news, and then the strangest thing happened to me: I started crying. Tears welled up in my eyes and I had to fight to keep it together. I felt sad for the guys down on the ice. All the hard work and challenges that the guys had overcome now seemed meaningless. They lost their captain and team mate and friend, and now they had to play like things were still the same.

I realize that this season is a total loss anyhow and that we have a lot of rebuilding to do, but it doesn't make it hurt any less when you lose an integral part of the team...

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Okay, I need to stop getting seats behind the net!

Goalies. I think all the stereotypes are true.

I have been searching for quotes about goalies that I have read over the past year, but can’t find them of course. Hopefully someone else’s post will be chock full of quotes.

I love watching the goalie come out at the start of the period and make the crease his own. They seem to have a million little tics and superstitions and things they do to prepare for the game. I love how they sweep their stick across the crease after being scored on, as though they are sweeping away the bad energy. I hate when another player comes over and taps the goalie on the knee after a great save...I worry that they are jinxing him.

I love when goalies do eye exercises. I watched one visiting goaltender look left/look right/look left throughout the entire national anthem. Very strange birds indeed.

I also love during warmups when the other players crowd around the goalie and totally mess with him. My favorite part of the entire game! (I know that is not entirely goalie related, but I thought you needed to know that I love that!)

My favorite goalie, Scott Munroe (don’t worry, he will be in the NHL next year, I promise) has a very zen approach to the whole thing. He takes his job very seriously, and appears to be meditating before the game. He also appears to be emotionally scarred after any puck gets by him.

Although I have not been the victim of a goalie crush (yet), I can definitely see the appeal. As my friend said (red faced) at her first hockey game while watching the goalie warm up right in front of us, “I bet goalies get all the girls…”

edit: Okay, so now all my favorite players are goalies: Leighton, Lehtonen, Biron! Help!

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