Insert Monday's headline here: Flyers repeat comeback, win 3-2 in OT
by Travis Hughes on Feb 11, 2010 12:08 AM EST
in 09-10 Game Recaps
Email
Print
Deja vu.
Down two goals early for the second time in as many games as the same team, the Flyers fought back, played sound defensive hockey and squeaked out a 3-2 over time win in front of a sparsely populated New Jersey crowd.
The stats will tell you that the Flyers didn't generate much offense in this game, but while the Devils did block a ton of shots, the Flyers had more than one shot in the third period and more than two in overtime. The numbers are suspect at best and you should probably take them with a grain of salt.
Either way, the Flyers scored three goals on Martin Brodeur on a limited number of shots. They did an excellent job of generating traffic in front on those two of those three goals. The first, a wrister by Arron Asham, deflected off of a Devil in front and beat Brodeur. The game-winner was a result of an unreal play by Simon Gagne, who skated circles around the Devils defense and flung a shot through traffic to give the Flyers the victory.
Hello boys, he's baaaaaaaack. At least we hope; that's the kind of goal that can give a player a lot of momentum for the rest of the season. It's the proverbial monkey off of the back.
Jeff Carter had a pretty fantastic game as well. He could've been aided by the news today that he'll be going to Vancouver for the Olympics next week as a potential replacement for Ryan Getzlaf. He used his body, he fought for pucks, and his game-tying goal in the second period was a thing of beauty -- a perfectly placed shot over the shoulder of Brodeur.
It wasn't a perfect game again, as the first goal of the game on Michael Leighton will prove. But they found a way to get the two points yet again and the end result is one of the more exciting post-game celebrations we've seen this season. I think I can speak for most of us when I say the feeling we all had when Gagne put that puck in the net was purely euphoric.
If the playoffs started today, guess who we'd play? The Devils, baby. Season series victory, complete.
After the jump, take a look at the updated playoff race, questions with answers and the comment of the night. 900+ comments to choose from, cool. Also a hilarious video tipped off to us by Mr. Ben 'No Internets' Rothenberg.
Playoff Race
- 4th: Pittsburgh - 60 GP, 74 pts (won tonight)
- 5th: Ottawa - 60 GP, 72 pts (didn't play)
- 6th: Montreal - 61 GP, 64 pts (won tonight)
- 7th: Philadelphia - 58 GP, 63 pts (won tonight)
- 8th: Tampa Bay - 58 GP, 63 pts (didn't play)
- 9th: Boston - 58 GP, 61 pts (didn't play)
- 10th: Atlanta - 58 GP, 59 pts (OT loss tonight)
- 11th: NY Rangers - 60 GP, 59 pts (lost tonight)
- 12th: Florida - 59 GP, 57 pts (didn't play)
- 13th: NY Islanders - 60 GP, 56 pts (didn't play)
Questions With Answers
- Can the Flyers stay out of the penalty box? They only gave NJ three power plays, but it seemed a lot worse than that.
- Will the Flyers avoid falling to an early deficit tonight? Um. No.
- Can they stop Kovalchuk... again? Yes they can! I must've jinxed him when I said a few times over the weekend that he'd 'no doubt' score his first goal against the Flyers. I'm fine that he hasn't. Hopefully he won't have a goal next time we play the Devils either.
- Any revenge for Jeff Carter's hit on Anssi Salmela? Unless allowing him to score a goal is revenge...
- Sticking with Carter, how's he play after being notified that he'll have to head to Vancouver in case Ryan Getzlaf can't take part in the Olympics? As mentioned above, he had a very strong game.
- How many people are in the building tonight in the midst of this blizzard? 5,000 or so was the announced attendance.
Comment of the Night
Gagne has jump, at least… execution lacking, but there’s some life
>> DragonGirl0583, three minutes prior to Gagne's GWG
60 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
Good writeup.
I’m really hoping they resign Leighton – thought after a rough start, he made some big saves, or at least some big enough to bounce back and didn’t let the goals bother him.
Also saw on Fox 29 just a little while ago that the team was coming back tonight. I’m hoping for a Twitter/Facebook update soon.
The Devils are a very good team right now. But before you go crazy hoping for the Devils in the playoffs:
This team will be much much better in April. Kovalchuk will be adapted to his new teammates, system, etc. Paul Martin will be back. By comparison, the Devils were missing half of their top six dmen tonight (White, Salmela, and Salvedor) along with Zach Parise and Elias just played his 2nd and 3rd games after missing about a month with a concussion.
I still like the Devils as the favorite to win the conference.
That was the first time I’ve ever seen a tie game played that wide open in the final few minutes of regulation. Also thought the intensity of that overtime was playoff level. And I thought it was quite noticeable that JVR and Bartulis were not prepared to match that intensity.
I thought the Flyers played a fantastic defensive game for maybe the first time all season. There were a few mistakes here and there, but none of them were major and for the most part everyone was where they should be. I would like to see them stop with the attack bullshit and play like that again on Friday.
40 minutes of effort? Didn’t show up for the first ten minutes of the game and first ten minutes of the third.
I’ve said all season that Jeff Carter is the best, most valuable Flyer.
by chillicothe20 on Feb 11, 2010 1:26 AM EST up reply actions
Oh, and what in the fuck is the point of having video replay if they can’t rule something a goal when they see the puck in the net? Just to waste eight minutes of my life watching the most boring audio and video ever? What a waste of fucking time, money, thought (err, I guess there was no actual thought involved in that process) and effort.
At this point, just eliminate replay altogether since they can’t get it right even half of the time as it is.
Forgot the picture. Its weird to just see, but watch the NHL.com video from the 50-53 second mark and its clear you can see the fucking puck exactly where I highlighted it in yellow, clearly across the line.
You can see it very clearly inside the netting of Brodeur’s catcher. But I guess the rules don’t allow for that?
I don’t think Devils are going to win the conference, but will more than likely win the division without too much effort.
The only rule that I’m aware of is that the decision must be “conclusive”. Which means you can’t say you think you know where the puck is.
However, you can CLEARLY see the puck in his glove over the line. There’s no doubt about it.
It’s just another retarded bullshit call from Toronto like the dozens of others this season.
My opinion on this whole ordeal is that it should not have to be “indisputable evidence.” There’s a whole room of people making a decision with every camera angle they have (Unless you’re in Pittsburgh). Let them make they’re best judgment as to what happened. These referees make terrible calls game after game and ruin the integrity of the sport. Let’s just make the call that is a collective group’s best decision as to what happened and everyone might not be happy, but at least I won’t be typing a rant like this on a blog at 3:11 AM.
There has to be photgraphic evidence of white paint between the puck and goal line. As much as I believe this was a goal (and it’s almost impossible to imagine that it wasn’t a goal) the replays I saw never showed the puck with white paint behind it… unlike the Pitt fiasco.
I agree that they should be able to use common sense in these reviews… or just scrap them altogether.
it was a goal, even the NJ announcers were saying it was a goal. It was clearly a goal to me even not in HD.
Managing Editor - HockeyOutsiders.com
by HockeyOutsiders on Feb 11, 2010 10:50 AM EST up reply actions
I believe that’s the unofficial rule of thumb that replay officials use for determining if the entirety of the puck has crossed the line. I don’t think it’s actually documented anywhere.
That’s just another way of explaining that the entire puck must entirely cross the goal line. But they don’t actually have to see white.
It’s true the rule isn’t written that way, but in all the goal reviews I’ve seen (many with horrible results) I have yet to see them award a goal when they didn’t have a shot of the puck with white paint between the puck and the goal line… even at times when it’s completely obvious the puck HAS to be over the goal line (last night) based on the fact that the entire glove, or pad which covers the puck is in the net. Not saying it’s never happened, I just haven’t seen it. If they’re going to continue to prolong hockey games with reviews they need to rewrite the rule to allow the replay judges to make the right calls.
78.4 Scoring a Goal – A goal shall be scored when the puck shall have been put between the goal posts by the stick of a player of the attacking side, from in front and below the crossbar, and entirely across a red line the width of the diameter of the goal posts drawn on the ice from one goal post to the other with the goal frame in its proper position.
the rules do not explicitly state “white paint”, but one could say that it would be implicit that if there were any white between the puck and goal line, then yes, it’s a goal.
unfortunately, logic and laws do not always go together. in this case, a portion of the puck is clearly seen in brodeur’s glove. any ordinary person who could see the position of the glove with respect to the puck and line would draw the conclusion that it was indeed a goal.
however-in review (rules 78, 38, 39, especially 39.4(i)), the officials have plausible denial in that thre is no explicit evidence of the entire puck over the line.
it’s a bitch, and it’s wrong, but unfortunately, it’s by the rules. conversely, if it had been initially ruled a goal, the play would indeed stand using the above rationale.
can anyone think of an instance wherein the officials ruled “no goal”, but it was overturned in this kind of situation?
Eat what the monkey eats, then eat the monkey. -U.S. Navy survival guidance
Even worse,
I believe this was the #1 play of the day on SportsCenter’s Top 10.
unbelievable effort by Brodeur nonetheless.
Managing Editor - HockeyOutsiders.com
by HockeyOutsiders on Feb 11, 2010 10:56 AM EST up reply actions
Maybe if the Flyers played with a regular puck and not a fucking puck then the goal would have counted.
For what it’s worth, “fuck” comes from Middle English and essentially means “to penetrate.” Surely a penetrating puck would offer more conclusive evidence than a regular one, but maybe not.
Mario, this isn’t aimed at you. I’ve been shoveling a good portion of the day and my mind is going a mile a minute here.
Do you see what happens when you find a stranger in the Alps?
It was because we are the flyers. I ve seen 2 kicked in goals by crosby on the flyers in the playoffs they claim weren’t kicked in. If it was us “kicked in”.
I wasn't even a year old but I stayed up to be outside the Vet with my Dad and Mom when the Phillies won the World Series 1980.
Stop that.
Broad Street Hockey - SB Nation's Philadelphia Flyers Blog. Makin' it look mean since 1967.
by Travis Hughes on Feb 11, 2010 10:45 AM EST up reply actions
That video is hilarious. One thing I love about live sports is that they can’t bleep stuff out, or edit whatever they catch on their cameras. I remember during the big Buffalo Ottowa fight a few years back you could hear Lindy Ruff SCREAMING “You don’t hit our #$%&# captain!” Also whenever we play Pittsburgh I always see a lot of middle fingers behind the glass.
I didn’t get to post this last night because my cable went out, taking my internet and phone with it…
Was it really only 3 minutes after I said that? Oddly enough, I blabbed my secret fear that it was the no-goal in Pittsburgh that may have shattered Gagne’s confidence… I hadn’t spoken or written of that theory to anyone as far as I can remember, and I didn’t realize until after I’d hit post that I’d said it in reaction to Hartnell’s no goal. Whatever, something worked! It wasn’t just the goal for me that was euphoric, it was the attitude and determination that he was going own that overtime period, I hadn’t seen that fire in a long time.
My other bright spot was that both Carter and Richie were noticeably hanging out in front of the net on PP. It’s progress, Monday night it was just Richie.
Who do you move to make room for him? I can’t think of anyone. While I would love to see him play with Giroux and JVR, there is no sense in sitting Asham to test Leino out when Asham is playing well.
Yeah, that definitely makes the team better. Remove 32 points from the lineup to fit in 7. That’s how you win hockey games.
Broad Street Hockey - Makin' it look mean since 1967.
by Geoff Detweiler on Feb 11, 2010 7:19 PM EST up reply actions
6 game winning goals and the highest plus minus foward on the team. MarioD should just man up and admit JVR has been much better than you thought. The act is getting old I wouldn’t mind seeing Powe go down Lineo in and Carcillo back with the Betts and Lappy though. That would make sense assuming the new guy could play RW.
by chrislanci on Feb 11, 2010 8:05 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
He’s clearly the 12th of the 12 forwards and he basically doesn’t contribute anything at this point. 2 goals, 3pts in the last 10 games. 3 goals, 6pts in his last 15 games. 6 goals and 12 points in the last 27 games.
And yet he’s outperforming Scott Hartnell in every category:
Goals, points, points/game, plus/minus, giveaways, takeaways, and PIM, all with less ice time.
JVR is playing against slightly below average competition (-0.006 qualcomp) with exactly average teammates (0.000) while Hartnell is playing against slightly above average competition (0.028 qualcomp) with good teammates (0.093 qualteam). But if you look at Corsi, JVR is facing TOUGHER competition (-0.141 CQoC to Hartnell’s -0.340) with WORSE teammates (2.647 to 4.546) and yet his GFON/60 is 3.19 to Hartnell’s 2.37 and his GAON/60 is 2.16 to Hartnell’s 2.20.
JVR is having a better year than Hartnell in almost every single statistical category you can imagine. He’s not at all “clearly the 12th of the 12 forwards”.
And since you think Hartnell isn’t a bad contract, JVR is a flippin’ steal.
Broad Street Hockey - Makin' it look mean since 1967.
by Geoff Detweiler on Feb 11, 2010 9:55 PM EST up reply actions
Hartnell is also one of the few players who actually tries to play hockey, is physical and plays defense instead of aimlessly skating around his own zone.
And has shown what he’s capable of is much better than what JVR is capable of right now.
Hartnell is a much better player than JVR right now.
Except the stats tell you otherwise. But, I’m sure you can ignore them because they don’t fit with your preconceived notion. If JVR “doesn’t contribute anything at this point” (which is blatantly incorrect), what does Hartnell contribute since he contributes LESS than JVR?
Broad Street Hockey - Makin' it look mean since 1967.
by Geoff Detweiler on Feb 12, 2010 10:33 AM EST up reply actions
Because there is no stat for “ability to actually throw a body check” or “lack of time spent skating in a circle while the play goes on around you”.
Is there an easy statistical way to figure out how many goals have been given up on power plays caused by bad penalties Hartnell takes? Because that might help bolster JVR’s contributions, since he doesn’t put his teammates in those situations.
by DragonGirl0583 on Feb 12, 2010 3:18 PM EST up reply actions
Also, Hartnell has taken a total of 20 penalties, and drawn 15. For the type of game he plays, that’s fine. Jeff Carter is their worst offender, having taken twice as many penalties (16) as he’s drawn. JVR took 3 and drew 7, fewest in each category of any of the healthy forwards; mainly because he doesn’t get involved in the play.
You only have two things showing Hartnell outproducing JVR: Hits and penalties drawn. And yet JVR has a positive penalty ratio while Hartnell’s is negative.
Keep hanging your hat on “hits” while ignoring goals, points, plus/minus, giveaways, takeaways, GFON/60, GAON/60, penalty ratio, corsi, CQoC, CQoT, TOI, and your 10, 15, and 27 game intervals.
You. Are. Wrong. But certainly will never admit it. So I’ll keep laughing when the only thing you have to hide behind is “hits”.
Broad Street Hockey - Makin' it look mean since 1967.
by Geoff Detweiler on Feb 12, 2010 4:20 PM EST up reply actions
I agree that he “tries to play hockey”, if anything it seems like he’s putting out even more effort and energy since he’s been in this slump. The problem is execution. At least 50% of his passes go to the tape of the opposing team and he’s extremely lucky that his incredibly stupid, ill-timed penalties haven’t cost the team more than they have. He hasn’t been as bad on the defensive side but when you combine the lack of scoring with his constant stick fouls… I can’t say I want him on the ice more than JVR, or anyone on the 4th line.
I don’t think anyone would argue that he’s not capable of producing a lot more, and hopefully he can play out of this funk, but based on the reality of the last 30 or so games he should not be playing with the top 6, or even 9.
Oh, and Hartnell has 1 goal, 4 pts in the last 10 games. 3 goals, 6 pts in his last 15 games. 3 goals, 10 pts in the last 27 games.
So… He’s performing better than Hartnell by those metrics too.
Broad Street Hockey - Makin' it look mean since 1967.
by Geoff Detweiler on Feb 11, 2010 9:57 PM EST up reply actions
Shart
You know how ESPN / pop culture has that annoying nickname thing where they put the first letter and first sylable of the last name together? I just realized that this would equal shart (yes I know it would actually be S-Hart) for Scott Hartnell.
Until he scores some goals, (and stops playing like a cross between a sh*t and a fart) to me, he will be shart.
I WANT THIS NOMINATED FOR POST OF THE YEAR. THIS IS HYSTERICAL. I AM LAUGHING OUT LOUD.
Sorry for the caps but that was amazing. Doug from the 609, you just made my day. 609 love!
by orangeandblack20 on Feb 12, 2010 11:23 AM EST up reply actions
It’s pretty awesome that with Gagne’s game winner, he became the all time leading scorer against Brodeur.
Crazy I also remember them being fairly friendly off ice as well like training somewhere together in the off season along with Antione Vermette.
by chrislanci on Feb 11, 2010 8:07 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Related FanPosts on Broad Street Hockey
Related FanShots on Broad Street Hockey
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
SBNation.com Recent Stories
In Association With
Latest Puck Daddy - NHL from Yahoo! Sports
- Friday’s Three Stars: Blackhawks lose seventh straight; Wings win nineteenth straight at home
- Puck Previews: Blackhawks reeling; Sabres streaking; Holmstrom’s 1000th game
- Will Teemu Selanne remain with the Anaheim Ducks through the trade deadline?
- Nikolai Zherdev takes stick to crotch, elbow drop in KHL game (Video)
- Puck Headlines: Accused coach Pravilov dead; more Tim Thomas heat; Junior team goes nuts post-shootout
Latest stories and headlines from NHL.com
- WHL Roundup: A look at Friday's games
- Franson scores winner as the Giants edge the Silvertips 3-2
- Ross with goal and assist to lead the Winterhawks over the Americans 4-2
- Wedman, Aviani and Valcourt lead the Chiefs over the Thunderbirds 5-4
- Elynuik scores winner as the Cougars beat the Oil Kings 5-4 in OT
Certain photos copyright © 2012 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
