Flyers' win joins my list
BOSTON _ As either a writer or a fan, I’ve been fortunate to be at several memorable sports events in the last five-plus decades _ some good, some not so good. Some stupendous. Like the Flyers’ had-to-see-it-to-believe-it 4-3 win in Boston Friday. We probably use the word “epic” too much in this business. In this case, however, it almost seems like it doesn’t do the game _ or the Flyers’ series comeback _ the justice it deserves. And, so, the Flyers becoming the third team in NHL history _ and the fourth in all of sports _ to win a series after losing the first three games has joined by Most Memorable List of events witnessed in person. (None can compare to watching my son make an unassisted triple play in a Little League game, but I digress….) My list starts with 1962. My Mom, rest her soul, took me to my first game at colorful Connie Mack Stadium, where I swear they had the greenest grass I had ever seen. . It was a religious experience of sorts.
Flyers' win joins my list
Sam Carchidi, Inquirer Staff Writer
BOSTON _ As either a writer or a fan, I’ve been fortunate to be at several memorable sports events in the last five-plus decades _ some good, some not so good.
Some stupendous.
Like the Flyers’ had-to-see-it-to-believe-it 4-3 win in Boston Friday.
We probably use the word “epic” too much in this business.
In this case, however, it almost seems like it doesn’t do the game _ or the Flyers’ series comeback _ the justice it deserves.
And, so, the Flyers becoming the third team in NHL history _ and the fourth in all of sports _ to win a series after losing the first three games has joined by Most Memorable List of events witnessed in person.
(None can compare to watching my son make an unassisted triple play in a Little League game, but I digress….)
My list starts with 1962. My Mom, rest her soul, took me to my first game at colorful Connie Mack Stadium, where I swear they had the greenest grass I had ever seen. . It was a religious experience of sorts.
Five years later, I was at cigar-stenched Convention Hall watching Wilt beat Bill Russell and the hated Celtics en route to winning the 1967 NBA title against the Warriors.
I was there when the Flyers won the Stanley Cup at the shaking Spectrum in 1974, edging the Bruins, 1-0, in an epic (there’s that word again) Game 6.
I was sitting in the press box when the Phillies blew that ninth-inning lead in the 1977 NLCS against the Dodgers. “Black Friday” is how it became known.
I was there when the Phillies won the 1980 World Series, when the Eagles beat Dallas to win the 1980 NFC title, and I sat with my son at the Linc when the Birds beat Atlanta in the 2005 championship game.
I was covering a seemingly innocent game at Montreal’s Olympic Stadium in 1991, when, out of nowhere, Tommy Greene threw a no-hitter and blanked the Expos, 2-0.
Just as dramatic was the finish I witnessed in 1994. The “Miracle in Michigan,” it was labeled after Kordell Stewart launched a 64-yard Hail Mary pass on the game’s final play _ and Michael Westbrook cradled the ball after it was tipped by as defender, giving Colorado a 27-26 win over Michigan.
I was there when Adam Taliaferro, miracle man, beat paralysis and walked onto the field to lead host Penn State out of the tunnel before more than 100,000 teary-eyed fans _ including myself _ in the Nittany Lions’ 2001 matchup with Miami.
Oh, and I was there when the Phillies won the 2008 World Series at reverberating Citizens Bank Park, where the fans all stood for the last three innings or so. My daughter texted me every few minutes from college. My Mom watched from above.
All of which brings me back to Boston, May 14, 2010.
That date is now etched in my mind.
And, if you’re reading this, yours.
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For continual Flyers updates, follow me on Twitter at www.twitter.com/BroadStBull.
Fury....we all know what 6 players on the ice is. The issue is that Flyers fans continuously whine about the officiating when in reality they've been on the really fortunate side of two calls in separate games 7s (Bruins yesterday and Caps in 2008) that played a role in the outcome. You would think the Whyners could see through this, or could at the very least acknowledge their good fortune. I'm thinking they just don't have the sophistication for it.— St.Patrick33- St.Patrick33 you're an idiot. Nothing questionable about that. The only gift-wrapping going on was from those super-intelligent Bruins for apparently not knowing the sixth man rule.— 1983ufgator
Nice job Sam, thanks for sharing. Unassited triple play - niiiiiiiiicce.— potus- St.Patrick33 has drank to many green beers.— lugomen1955
Comment removed.- StPatrick33 is an idiot. Even if we were "gift-wrapped" a PP. We still had to score, or was that a gift as well. Go back to Boston and drown in some baked beans— Babooska
- Then Pat33, how do you explain the not one, but two goals that Boston got in Game 1 on plays where penalties should have been called? So I'd say you can complain all you want about a "gift-wrapped" power play in Game 7 when Boston got two "gift-wrapped" goals in Game 1.— buttermilk67
- St Pat, Don't you have some snakes to chase out of Boston? Hope your boys hit em straight on the links, as for us Flyer fans, we shall enjoy one more go at this thing. I know it hurts. I have a tissue if needed.— jfogs1
- Mr. St. Patrick...you do realize they came back from a 3-0 hole right? Forget about game 7 and the "gift wrapped" power play. Focus on the big picture. You sound like a premier whiner yourself. Speaking of whining...I loved Recchi's comments that the too many men penalty that "shouldn't have been called" at that point in a game 7. You see...that is not a subjective call...it's objective. You want a whiner? Say hello to Mark Recchi.— ant8817
St. Pat, don't you already do enough whining on the G&M? I feel your pain and all, but honestly dude, just let it go....You're not a Habs fan are you?— ColKurtz- the too many men on the ice wasnt a questionable call St. Patrick. this isnt nam. there are rules..— Apollo Creed
- St.Patrick33....nothing worse then a cryer, crying about cryers.....WAAA-WAAA-WAAAAAAA— TKB
- St.Patrick33 -- Get over yourself, really. By the way, my 7 year old knows more about hockey then you do.— FlyersGirl35
- St Patrick, you are a fool. You probably didn't like the call because you can't fathom the thought of someone saying there are "too many men." When it comes to men, you probably think "the more the merrier."— mikeyhigs
- Comment removed.
