Posted: Friday, January 16, 2009, 1:01 AM | 4 comments |
 

Flyers stumbling to (first-half) finish line
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   TAMPA _ In their last two games, the Flyers have lost too many board battles and created few good scoring chances against teams that had been struggling.

    As a result, they have lost two straight and look like a team that needs a recharging. The all-star break, which starts after Wednesday's game, can't come soon enough. (And, yes, they could also use a healthy Danny Briere.)

   Thursday, the Flyers dropped a 4-1 decision to a Tampa Bay team that is one of the worst in the Eastern Conference.

    The Flyers allowed 44 shots. Last week, they allowed lowly Toronto to take 42 shots.

    That kind of defense won't cut it when the playoffs roll around. The Flyers need to get back to a defense-first mentality.

     Thursday's loss, which cost the Flyers a chance to move into first place in the Atlantic Division, came on the heels of Tuesday's listless 4-2 defeat to scuffling Pittsburgh.

    The Flyers will not have a morning skate Friday, but coach John Stevens has called a team meeting for 11:30 a.m.

    All of a sudden, Friday night's game at Florida is critical. Another loss would conjure memories of last year's fade. You'll recall that the Flyers went on a 10-game losing streak last February and went from No. 2 to No. 10 in the Eastern Conference.

    This year's team is stronger than last year's, mainly because Mike Richards and Jeff Carter have blossomed into stars. But Richards has been out of gas the last two games and the Flyers need him _ and his teammates _ to regroup to take some momentum into the all-star break. (They have two games before the break: Friday in Florida, and Wednesday against Atlanta.)

    Thursday's game showed how important defenseman Kimmo Timonen is to the Flyers. Timonen, a superb defenseman who is vital to the Flyers' special teams, was injured when a puck hit his face midway through the first period. He was administered several stitches and did no return.

     Without Timonen, the Flyers' defense struggled _ just like it did when he was injured in last year's Eastern Conference finals.

     If Timonen can't play Friday, Luca Sbisa would get the call.

    One of the few bright spots Thursday was the terrific play of rookie center Darroll Powe, who was the Flyers' best offensive player.

 
Posted by Sam Carchidi @ 1:01 AM  Permalink | 4 comments
4
Comments   
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 7:38 AM, 01/16/2009
    The Allstar break is coming at a good time. Fortunately for Richards, he can stay home and rest (or practice). I still don't like Sbisa being a healthy scratch when he could be playing for Lethbridge. It's not like we're suffering for defensive depth (Kukkonen and Parent can fill in). Play him or send him back.
    — dave-tx
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 11:35 AM, 01/16/2009
    I see no problem with giving Luca a rest every now and then. This will probably be the longest stretch of hockey he has ever played. And it's definitely the most wear and tear that his body has ever experienced. With the depth the Flyers have on the blue line, its nice to be able to give players a rest every now and again. Now if he is a healthy scratch for a long stretch of games, I have a problem with that.
    — mike c
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 11:40 AM, 01/16/2009
    True, a rest is probably important for him. I get concerned when it's two games in a row; and will be really concerned if tonight is his third.
    — dave-tx
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 1:57 PM, 01/16/2009
    They would be dangerous if they could just win some faceoffs. Bring back Brind'amour!
    — RHextall


4 comments
About Sam Carchidi
Sam Carchidi is in his fourth year as the Flyers' beat reporter. He became an Inquirer staff writer in 1984 and covered mostly South Jersey high school sports and the Phillies before taking the Flyers beat.

Carchidi has written three books _ the nationally acclaimed Miracle in the Making: The Adam Taliaferro Story, which he co-authored with Scott Brown; Bill Campbell: The Voice of Philadelphia Sports; and Standing Tall: The Kevin Everett Story, which was featured on the Oprah Winfrey Show. He also contributed to a 1993 Inquirer book on the Phillies.

A lifelong South Jersey resident, Carchidi lives in Wenonah with his wife, JoAnn, and their two children, Sara and Sammy.

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