The Taste Of Crow

Recently, I had constructed an article on the “certain” demise of the Flyers. Luckily, the editor did not post it, saving me from further embarrassment (editor’s note: Howard, you’re welcome). To make amends, I think the best thing I could do, short of shutting my pie-hole in the future, would be to give credit to this gritty crew.

Ravaged by injury (Chris Therien, John Leclair, Mark Recchi, Keith Jones, Keith Primeau, Jody Hull, Rick Tocchet) for spells this season had put the Flyers into a 2-6-3 stranglehold on last place in their division. It has been a long time since the Flyers had been below the Islanders (hats off to Mike Milbury’s crew) in the standings but that is where they roosted 10 days ago. Injuries did not influence the less than consistent play of Eric Desjardins, Simon Gagne, Daymond Langkow, Danny McGillis and a few others during the first 11 games or so. In fact, playoff phenom Brian Boucher was better at smashing goalie sticks in practice than performing in the net. I actually know people that were so indifferent to the team during this period that they canceled plans to attend games that they had spent hundreds of dollars for! The Chinese Fire Drill that the Flyers were implementing in their own zone had worn thin with many local faithful. Only knuckle-tossin’ Todd Fedoruk, Justin Williams, and my main man, Luke Richardson, seemed to play with both eyes on the ice. Things were conducive to being negative about the Flyers. Leclair and his back, Recchi and his headache, the headache of Eric Lindros himself…all these not-so-little things began to add up to a dreadful season.

However – This decimated corps has performed very well over the last 6 games, going 4-1-1, beating Ottawa and Edmonton among others; sticking to a tighter defensive scheme when practical, and displaying the skills of Roman Cechmanek in net (2 shutouts in a row). Perhaps the most satisfying was the fist to face skills of the potentially newest Philly folk hero Todd Fedoruk. He turned that irritating lip-meister, Matt Barnaby, into a dazed, confused, and bloody one in the most regrettable game over the last 6 the Flyers have played.

Suddenly, interest has risen again in the Flyers. Maybe, just maybe, with a slow return to the lineup of some of their more offensive-minded players, the Flyers can make a go of it again. Then would-be swamis like, ahem, yours truly, won’t be so quick to assume. Note to all – Keep an eye on this Todd Fedoruk – a future knuckle tosser of the first order!

Howard is currently building a hockey site at: hockeyworldview.homestead.com.