Archive: September, 2008
Sam Carchidi, Inquirer Staff Writer
Claude Giroux, the hotshot 20-year-old winger who was the Flyers' No. 1 selection in the 2006 NHL draft, seems like he's going to start the season with the AHL Phantoms.
Flyers head coach John Stevens gave a less-than-glowing report on Giroux's progress in camp.
“I think Claude has done just OK, to be honest with you,” Stevens said after today's practice at the Skate Zone in Voorhees. “I think there was a lot of pressure on this kid coming in.”
Sam Carchidi, Inquirer Staff Writer
It was never flashy, never pretentious.
But, in its own way, the Spectrum was a jewel. Our jewel.
It was a no-frills, blue-collar arena and virtually every seat in the building was close to the action. Even those in the second level felt they could reach out and touch the ice.
Sam Carchidi, Inquirer Staff Writer
The Flyers, rebounding from a lisless performance on Wednesday, looked much sharper last night as they blanked the Islanders, 4-0.
Speaking of sharp, goalie Marty Biron looks like he did in last season's first two playoff series. He is unscored upon in four periods in the preseason. The Flyers are now 2-1 in exhibitions.
I've talked to several Flyers _ most of whom weren't even born when the club won their Cups in 1974 and 1975 _ and it's interesting to hear the awe in their voices as they talk about the Spectrum.
Sam Carchidi, Inquirer Staff Writer
Usually, young prospects energize a team, but that wasn't the case last night. The Flyers, playing mostly youngsters, looked listless in their 3-1 loss in Ottawa. The Flyers were outshot 34-11, including 15-1 in the opening period.
Coach John Stevens will be looking for a better effort when the Flyers, now 1-1 in the preseason, play the Islanders tonight in London, Ontario.
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The Flyers will have an interesting mix of youngsters and veterans in tonight's lineup when they open the preseason by facing the New Jersey Devils at the Wachovia Center.
Goalie Marty Biron will play the first two periods, with Maxime Ouellet in the nets in the third period.
The defensive pairings: Braydon Coburn and Osst Vaananen; Luca Sbisa (remember the name) and Steve Eminger; and Ryan Parent and Sean Curry.
Simon Gange, limited to 25 games because of a concussion last season, scored two goals _ one an empty-netter, the other on a penalty shot _ in the Flyers' intra-squad scrimmage in Voorhees today.
Gagne didn't absorb or give any checks, so it'll be interesting to see how he responds after conatct. That could happen in Sunday's scrimmage, or in an exhibition game _ though coach John Stevens doesn't plan to play Gagne in Monday's contest against the New Jersey Devils at the Wachovia Center.
Still, Gagne looked sharp on a new line with center Mike Richards and center-turned-right wing Danny Briere. They played on Team Snider, which defeated Team Barber, 6-2. Briere also scored a goal.
I was at a Center City function recently and Ray Didinger, one of the area's most respected journalists, was asked which of Philly's four major sports teams would be the next to win a championship.
After a few seconds of deliberation, Didinger replied:
"I'd say the Flyers. Their core group is young and they're just going to keep getting better."
