By Michael Rushton
Apparently, for the Flyers to return to a dominating form they just need Keith Primeau to simply step on the ice again, if only for a pregame ceremony.
Philadelphia rightfully honored its former captain, who is still sorely missed, last night and then its current roster of misguided skaters went out and hammered Primeau's first team, Detroit, 6-1.
It was a performance that would have, and should have, made Primeau proud. For the first time in a long time the Flyers hit, hustled, finished plays and scored, and almost seemed to resemble the contending team they were over the last few years.
Was it a coincidence that the Flyers turned in one of their best performances of the year, certainly their best at home, with Captain Keith's aura in the air?
I would guess not. Because for one night, everything the Flyers need and are missing was standing right before them. A dominating presence who could throw a tired, worn-down team over his shoulders, Primeau brought to life how a Flyers hockey player should play.
"I learned early on during my stay in Philadelphia that you need not be the most talented, the most skilled, the best goal scorer or the best playmaker, but if you play with passion, desire and a blue collar attitude you would and could be embraced more than you could ever imagine," Primeau said last night.
No true Flyers fan will ever forget Primeau's last great performance.
Right before the lockout, the Flyers made an exciting run in the playoffs to cap the 2003-04 season. They knocked off rival New Jersey and won a thrilling series against Toronto before running into the Lightning, who Philadelphia took to seven games before falling.
It was during that run when Primeau embodied the "C" that was stitched to his sweater. He totaled 16 points (nine goals, seven assists) during those playoffs and brought a physical defensive force to the team that shut down other team's best players.
And that is what Philly continues to miss today.
While Peter Forsberg is a great player, he is not a leader, not a captain. Nor is Derian Hatcher, who just hasn't earned the hometown respect a Philly captain needs to survive. Eric Desjardins certainly put in his time in the City of Brother Love, but his on-ice presence wasn't that of a captain's.
But Primeau met all of the above. You knew when he was on the ice and you heard him off of it.
"I took great pride in putting on my Flyers jersey because I felt as though every time I did I had your (the fans) support," Primeau said. "I will always give credit to the fans in Philadelphia for creating my identity as a player and as a person and for that I humbly thank you."
And we thank you Keith.
Share your favorite Primeau moment with Michael Rushton at mrushton@phanaticmag.com
2 comments:
Primeau had one great playoff run here and that was it. The Flyers had this "ceremony" to sell tickets.
Lets face it, Primeau was a dissapointment in his time here. He never effectively fulfilled the second line center spot here and turned into a decent checking line center, but that was it.
Let's not remember he threw the legendary Bill Barber under the bus as well.
While the Flyers may, or may not, have held this "ceremony" merely to sell tickets, one would have to be not to notice that Keith Primeau was the embodiment of a classic Flyers' ethos that may have long since passed... Bill Barber was a great great player, but he threw himself under the bus coaching-wise...
PhillyJack
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