And This Too Has Passed…

Alexis Nicgorski
May 10, 2000

There is an old adage, good things come to those who wait. Philadelphia has waited for 25 years for a cup; Flyers waited for the Devils to slip to gain the number 1 seed; Mark Recchi waited for the puck to start bouncing his way, Boucher took it five minuets at a time; and the fans waited through 5 OT to games to see a patient Keith Primeau win it; the Flyers waited through a 0-2 standing to win the series. The good that comes? A round 3 series against the Devils.

Some where the hockey gods are laughing.

Sound familiar?

In the beginning Hasek scared me, Jagr scared me. This series taught us that the underdog advances, and that history and number don't apply in the post season. The Flyers have flourished under it all.

The Flyers have taken all the counts against them, all the adversity, all of the distractions, and played. They played with a style all their own. It's almost as if they are the Murphy's law of hockey, perhaps more aptly entitled Flyers law; if it's not the usual NHL numbers, it will work for the Flyers.

NHL numbers: Only 10 defencemen have ever scored a hatrick in the post season, never a rookie.

Flyers: Andy Delmore did it.

NHL numbers: Usually those who have a 2-0 usually win the series

Flyers: Came back, with the wins in the next 4.

NHL numbers: You need Eric Lindros to win in the long run.

Flyers: So far so good.