Flyers give in to Avery's hijinks, lose to Rangers 3-1
by Travis Hughes on Mar 14, 2010 6:12 PM EDT
in 09-10 Game Recaps
26 comments
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He was a healthy scratch in the Rangers last game, but on Sunday, Sean Avery ran all over the Philadelphia Flyers while leading his team to a 3-1 victory at Madison Square Garden, the World's Most Overrated Arena (seriously, what's the aura around that place? Just because it's NYC? Please...).
Avery drew two penalties, scored two goals and was a plus two. On each of his 19 shifts, he genuinely pissed off the Flyers. He got under their skin. He pulled a Sean Avery, and the orange and black gave in. Scott Hartnell dropped his gloves and looked goofy when Avery kept his firmly on his hands. Braydon Coburn took a penalty late in the third thanks to the impetus, Avery. Dan Carcillo was visibly bothered by Avery as well.
He did his job and the Flyers couldn't keep cool. He was the difference, and for a Flyers team in the position that they're currently in, that's absolutely unacceptable. Philadelphia went into MSG today and controlled the game from the outset, scoring an early goal on the power play. Michael Leighton came up strong in goal and things looked to be set.
Then, Avery started his crap and it all snowballed from there. It's unacceptable. They let one player completely change the course of this game. One player who has no business doing something like that.
As a result, the Flyers miss out on a prime opportunity to put some distance between themselves and seventh-place Montreal. They also miss out on a chance to gain ground on fifth-place Ottawa. Meanwhile, the Rangers are now just one point out of the final playoff spot and just five points behind the Flyers, believe it or not.
Blame fatigue, blame Amtrak, blame whatever. None of it matters.
It was a chance to put a dagger through the heart of the team from New York. Instead, the Flyers let Avery take a jab at theirs. After the jump, questions with answers and the comment of the afternoon.
Questions to Answer
- Do emotions actually spill over today in the aftermath of the Gaborik incident, or do the Rangers realize that they should've done something weeks ago and that the statute of limitations is clearly up on this 'offense'? Not really. Jody Shelley's presence in the lineup didn't mean anything. Nor did Riley Cote's.
- Can Henrik Lundqvist keep his team in this game today? Lundqvist wasn't challenged much, and he even looked a little shaky early. The Flyers failed to take advantage, however.
- All joking about the Rangers impotence aside, their top line of Gaborik, Jokinen and Prospal can actually put some pucks in the net. Can the Flyers successfully shut them down? Those three were invisible. Avery did the scoring.
- Will Carcillo fight Shelley? Nope.
- Can Michael Leighton duplicate his stellar Saturday performance? Leighton was fine today. He'd probably like to have Avery's second goal back, but he was fine today. The Flyers lack of offense was a bigger problem, but as mentioned, the inability to stay away from Avery's bait was the biggest issue.
Comment of the Day
Oh jeez. Gotta be careful not to overwork him.
>> Ben Feldman, on Cote's heavy first period workload
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I think the game might have been different if Cote was out and Powe or Leino was in. I like Asham and everything, but I don’t think he belongs on a scoring line with Carter and JVR.
Lineup
I agree with Parduno – why is Laviolette dressing Cote – he has played less than 15 minutes all season. Pressure the Rangers with offense/forecheck and let their morons push the intimidation envelope until they take penalites. That said, can’t believe Avery was once again THE ONLY factor in an important game vs. Philly. You gotta hand it to that clown, he was the first, second and third star yesterday and that blows! The Rangers can’t find themselves but Avery singelhandedly beats Philly, who really could have used the 2 points for playoff positioning. They will make it but these games are the difference between hosting a series or not. I appreciate they played a grueling game Sat (great win!) but come on – get the 2 points at all costs and rest for Tuesday night in Nashville (bigtime challenge BTW). As for Dubinsky vs. Richards, I was so pissed about Avery’s goal that I didn’t even notice the extra shots Dubie threw – Richie blew that fight like the Flyers blew the game! It all sucked.
Just like I don’t think Flyers fans should take any pride in watching Carcillo’s act, I don’t think there’s anything admirable about what Avery did out there today. Yes, it’s part of the game now. It’s a part of the game I hate.
I can’t even really blame Hartnell (who I’d ordinarily love to blame, for just about anything). Avery acted like he was dropping his gloves. It’s one thing to sucker a guy into a fight with physical play or even some trask talk. It’s another to act like you’re dropping your gloves, then turtle when the guy grabs you. I really wish the NHL would hand out an unsportsmanlike for that sort of act.
Down Goes Brown - Unapologetically nostalgic for the past. Brutally realistic about the present. Grudgingly optimistic about the future.
by Down Goes Brown on Mar 14, 2010 6:53 PM EDT reply actions
Agree completely with DGB. However, Carcillo’s “act” hasn’t been as much of an “act” recently. He’s a top line player, getting (caugh) top line minutes and production. He hasn’t been fighting as much as he did earlier, and he is restraining way better than before. You would have to be silly to compare the Carcillo V Orr thing to the Hartnell V Avery thing. Carcillo, first off is not a heavyweight like Orr. Orr has no business in picking a fight with Carcillo. Danny clearly told him no, didn’t really goad him into anything, and repeatedly took shots over and over again. Hartnell and Avery looked like they were going to square up and go, but Avery faked him out… that is not hockey. Its BS. I’m glad Richie stepped up even though he got it handed to him. Good home stand for the Flyers, even though they dropped this one. Travis, great write up, I agreed with most of your stuff but :
“Blame fatigue, blame Amtrak, blame whatever. None of it matters.” Like someone said before, in baseball, when you dominate and win 100-0 you’ll lose the next game (usually and relatively figurative). Even more so, when you win an emotional, hard fought battle, and play again the next day, you might come out flat. Well the Flyers came out hard and just had nothing left by the end. I was wierdly proud of them this game.
GO FLYERS
by orangeandblack20 on Mar 14, 2010 7:23 PM EDT reply actions
Well the Flyers came out hard and just had nothing left by the end. I was wierdly proud of them this game.
I was not. They looked disinterested and sloppy the more the game went on. Here we go again with the late-season half-assery.
Do you see what happens when you find a stranger in the Alps?
The Scott Hartnell sequence of heart showed all I needed to see. This team was physiclly beat up. Hopefully they’ll be fine on Tuesday.
by orangeandblack20 on Mar 15, 2010 12:47 AM EDT up reply actions
You would have to be silly to compare the Carcillo V Orr thing to the Hartnell V Avery thing.
Yeah, I actually agree. Carcillo never did the fake out like Avery did. Big difference.
Down Goes Brown - Unapologetically nostalgic for the past. Brutally realistic about the present. Grudgingly optimistic about the future.
by Down Goes Brown on Mar 14, 2010 10:25 PM EDT up reply actions
I didn’t see the game and from this I a kinnda glad. I hate Avery anywhere plays I just hate him. I don’t ever want him on our team. There are a few others I don’t like forturnate for us we don’t have them either. Go Flyers!!!!!!!! WE WILL STILL GET THEM IN THE END.
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.
Wow I just remembered didn't they waive Cote I just knew he'd be back. Good or Bad?
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.
This game sucked. They went from controlling the pace to giving into Avery’s crap to not caring anymore.
Since the break, the Flyers are 3-1 at home and 1-2-1 on the road. Seeing as how eight of their remaining fourteen games are road games, they’d better get that straightened out right quick.
Road games:
Nashville
Dallas
Atlanta
Ottawa
Pittsburgh
NY Islanders
Toronto
NY Rangers
Technically, we can beat all of those teams. We have to give a crap though, and not get suckered in by Avery. That’s exactly what happened during the final regular season game last year.
Do you see what happens when you find a stranger in the Alps?
The Flyers are so inconsistent I really can’t see them getting anything done this year. My question is: you won yesterday with a particular lineup against a good team. Asham said he was benched because he was playing poorly. Why change the lineup? Was someone hurt or sick? Additionally, there is no reason to play Cote, ever – but especially if you’re putting Asham back in the lineup. Nothing against him, he just can’t play (Riles). I’m not sure what Laviolette was thinking.
It’s just more giving in to the BS the Rangers sold today. They dressed their goons so the Flyers felt the need to do the same. They got off of the game that propelled them to a win on Saturday, and it starts with the head coach putting his goons in the lineup.
Broad Street Hockey - SB Nation's Philadelphia Flyers Blog. Makin' it look mean since 1967.
by Travis Hughes on Mar 14, 2010 10:17 PM EDT up reply actions
If we didn’t play Cote, somoen could have gotten hurt or the game could have gotten out of hand. Shelly could run around with the consequence of having a much smaller opponent in Lappy or Chico. As much as I hate to admit it, we needed him this game. I am all for keeping Powe and Asham in the game as long as were winning.
by orangeandblack20 on Mar 15, 2010 12:41 AM EDT up reply actions
I understand the logic, but I don’t think Cote is much of a deterrent. We have other guys who can handle that side of things who can also play some hockey. Asham is enough, IMO.
Broad Street Hockey - SB Nation's Philadelphia Flyers Blog. Makin' it look mean since 1967.
by Travis Hughes on Mar 15, 2010 12:44 AM EDT up reply actions
That’s messed up then on Lavi’s part, Travis. Again, what was he thinking? We desperately need every point. It’s not like the Flyers are that good that they can just interchange parts in the lineup and think they’re going to dominate the Rangers. He’s obviously been preaching discipline to Carcillo. Why go against your own doctrine? I’d have gone with the same lineup as Saturday, but if you think you need an extra guy to fight, sub Asham for Leino and that’s it. Inexplicable.
I didn’t watch most of the game. But just now thinking about it, I guess Shelly is a more substantial heavyweight threat than Colton Orr? If not, why was Cote not dressed for the Toronto game?
I heard somebody on 610 say 2 of the Ranger’s goals were soft. I only saw the 3rd one live, but together with the replays, that was the only one that looked soft. Still not acceptable.
There was no history with Toronto. Carcillo didn’t whip Phil Kessell. He whipped Gaborick. New York wasn’t goin to let the flyers bully them. And the Flyers countered with the same move.
by orangeandblack20 on Mar 15, 2010 12:45 AM EDT up reply actions
Avery's a PUNK!!!
I thought one of the reasons for the two referee system was to try to see more. You would think with Avery’s track record they would keep an eye on him. He got away with so much it made me sick. Especially what happened with Hartnell.(Maybe he didn’t want Scott to kick his ass again.) What a jackass.
Please help me
I was too busy Saturday trying stop the rushing waters in my basement to stay on top of interviews and the like after the Blackhawk victory.
Did our players say anything to the effect of “well we beat Chicago who is one of the best so we are one of the best and should win the Stanley Cup”?
Please let me know if any of the players said anything close to that.
My brother in law is a Homer Rangers fan and obviously it came from the NYR side.
Thanks.
Dude, Let me commiserate with you. It hasn’t happened yet in my current house but every other place I’ved lived has flooded or is somehow adversely affected by lots of water getting into the house. I must of pissed of the Poseiden in a past life. Or maybe my great grandfather was a whaler. Leaking, flooding water has been always be the bane of my existence in one form or another. Need any advice (i am a contractor) let me know. It’s not my trade but I learned alot of about water problems out of necessity. Diagnosing is the key.
Thanks
I appreciate the help on the house issue. Any help on these “supposed comments” by the Flyers?
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