Flyers practice in Central Park
Daily News Flyers blog
Flyers practice in Central Park
For the second January in a row, the Flyers took it outside.
And the venue was every bit as iconic as Fenway Park - just a different type of park.
No, the Flyers haven’t received any notifications about possibly participating in the 2012 Winter Classic yet, but they did practice in New York’s famed Central Park on Saturday afternoon.
Flyers coach Peter Laviolette planned the practice out in advance but did not release the information ahead of time, so his team could skate in the park on a chilly Saturday without much hoopla and fanfare.
There are two rinks at Central Park - one for public skating and one for hockey - but both offer picturesque views of the Manhattan skyline. The Flyers practiced at Lasker Rink, which is converted into a public swimming pool in the summer when not used for skating from October through March.
Rather than take a day off on Saturday after arriving in New York early Saturday morning - which is their third city in three nights - Laviolette decided to keep his players out of the shops and stores of America’s shopping mecca. Many of the Flyers list New York as their favorite road city for that reason.
The practice, though, was an escape from the ordinary. And it wasn't just the scenery. The Flyers wore sweatpants with shinpads instead of their normal equipment and the atmosphere - as you can tell by the pictures - was clearly relaxed.
You can afford to do that when you've been on top of the Eastern Conference for most of the season.
They face the Rangers on Sunday night in their first trip to Madison Square Garden this season. The Rangers, who quietly stalk the Atlantic division pace just 6 points behind the Flyers, are in Montreal on Saturday night.
The Flyers hold a three point lead on Pittsburgh in the Eastern Conference heading into Saturday night’s action thanks to three third period goals on Friday night in Atlanta, when Danny Briere broke a 2-2 tie against the Thrashers with 7:12 to go.
For the latest updates, follow Frank Seravalli on Twitter: @DNFlyers
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did it already happen? this sux, i live in manhattan and am from philly, and still a season ticket holder. would have been nice to know...— skarletknite- You should read the article!!!
"Flyers coach Peter Laviolette planned the practice out in advance but did not release the information ahead of time, so his team could skate in the park on a chilly Saturday without much hoopla and fanfare"!!!! That is meant for people like you who said "it would have been nice to know"— TheBlank - uh...i read the article. did you read my response?(??) it was an open lament. let me explain it again for you: 1) i live in nyc. 2) the flyers, whom i am a fan of, are visiting my hometown in a public park. 3) i would have liked to see them, blocks from my home. is that more clear for you, board police? that is meant for people like you, who are always looking to correct someone on something. perhaps there is a typo you can find somewhere else! attack! — skarletknite
- actually your creepy stalkerish response is why Im glad they kept it quiet.
LIke I saw on the Twitter, some clown "demanded" a Carcillo picture.— hdtv267 - I apologize, my dislike was meant for the one below. — hdtv267
- Very cool, but I knew as soon as I saw the picture in the story they didn't practice at Wollman Rink, the one in the picture. Lasker Rink, 50 blocks north of this rink, is the hockey rink. Still, very cool. At least NYers got to see a real team practice for once.— phillypride2008
- that was nice of laviolette to show his players what a real city looks like.— phillyfrunce
- Give it a rest. If you want to tell someone what a real city looks like, go to Phoenix. — Timmy
- I happened to find out in advance and made it up there (live in Brooklyn). Very cool experience, the players were having a blast out there, lots of laughing and a fun three on three scrimmage. They had a fun group there with Coatsey and JJ, Homer and the whole crew on hand. Very cool that they did this, there were local news cameras there so I'm sure you'll get to see some video soon.— AndrewB55
- "... planned the practice out..." Huh? How about simply "planned the practice"? Frank, is that how they teach it at State Penn? Otherwise a good piece.— Rabe56
- LOL @SKARLETKNITE. WAY TO COME BACK. TOO MANY "THE BLANKS" ON HERE ALWAYS LOOKING TO CORRECT SOMEONE ON SOMETHING— tboyd
I was thinking about going up to NYC this weekend too... If I'd have known.— Pelti- We talkin bout Pactice, Practice!— NYPHILLYPHAN
- There is still time to find them in the Bar! OUCH, NIIIIIICE!— NYPHILLYPHAN
- They are lucky no one shot them...should wear plain sweats next time!— Philly Fan in Kuwait
