by Bob Herpen
Phanatic Hockey Editor
It was infamously delayed by a year, but the Boston Bruins are heading back to the conference finals for the first time since 1992.
Shaking off any suggestion of another collapse, Milan Lucic scored twice as the Bruins finished off a sweep of the Philadelphia Flyers with a 5-1 decision in Game 4 of this Eastern Conference semifinal series from TD Garden.
Johnny Boychuk, Brad Marchand and Daniel Paille also tallied for the Bruins, who advanced nearly one year removed from making history by becoming just the third NHL team to waste a 3-0 series edge by losing in seven games to the Flyers.
Tim Thomas, who in 2010 was hampered by a hip injury that put Tuukka Rask in net, improved to 8-3 in these playoffs with a 22-save performance.
Boston will take on upstart Tampa Bay with a berth in the Stanley Cup Finals on the line. The Lightning also gained the third round thanks to a sweep, knocking off the top-seeded Capitals earlier this week.
Kris Versteeg posted the lone goal for the Flyers, who had not been swept in a best-of-seven set since losing the 1997 Stanley Cup Finals to Detroit.
Sergei Bobrovsky, who got his first starting assignment since Game 2 of the first round against Buffalo, allowed three goals on 25 shots in the season- ending setback.
The Bruins went ahead for good on a score early in the third period. A left- circle faceoff win resulted in Michael Ryder pushing the puck back to Boychuk at the right point for a top-shelf blast to give the Bruins a 2-1 edge with 2:42 played.
It was a two-goal edge for the home team as the clock ticked inside five minutes to play, when a Flyers giveaway in the neutral zone worked its way to Lucic, who cruised in alone and scored through Bobrovsky's pads.
Marchand and Paille scored into the empty net in the last two minutes to provide the final margin.
Boston broke through on a power play with 7:58 left in the opening period, when David Krejci found Nathan Horton, who slipped a pass from the left side to the right post for a one-timer by Lucic.
The Flyers equalized during a 4-on-4 with 6:38 to go in the second period. Mike Richards outraced Marchand to a loose puck at center ice, then fed ahead for Versteeg, who moved to the far post and beat Thomas on the backhand.
Notes: The Bruins outscored the Flyers 20-7 over the four games...Boston, which notched its first four-game playoff sweep since dispatching Montreal in the 1992 Adams Division finals, also swept Philly in the 1977 Stanley Cup semifinals...Horton notched a pair of assists for the victors...Boston made what was then the Wales Conference Finals three years in a row (1990-92), beating Washington then losing twice to eventual champions Pittsburgh...Philly defenseman Chris Pronger missed his third straight game with an undisclosed injury...On May 6, 1976, Reggie Leach scored five goals in a 6-3 Flyers victory over the Bruins in Game 5 of the semifinals.
Saturday, May 07, 2011
Friday, May 06, 2011
Swimming with Sharks: Soul punished by Garcia, Jacksonville
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| QB Aaron Garcia - photo courtesy of Jacksonville Sharks |
By John McMullen
PHILADELPHIA (The Phanatic Magazine) - There is an old adage in football that rings true at any level -- if you have two quarterbacks, you really don't have any.
That's the predicament Philadelphia Soul coach Mike Hohensee finds himself in as the reincarnation of Philly's AFL team fell to the powerful Jacksonville Sharks, 58-42, in front of a sparse crowd of 8,429 at Wells Fargo Center on Friday.
The Soul (2-6) came into the 2011 season with a pair of proven AFL signal callers, former Tulsa star Justin Allgood, who led the league with 109 touchdown passes in '10, and Ryan Vena, the former Iowa pilot who tossed 78 TDs a year ago.
Jacksonville (7-1), on the other hand, has no issues at the game's most important position. The Sharks are led by one of the all-time AFL greats, 40-year-old Aaron Garcia, who threw his 1,000th career touchdown pass last week in a victory over division and in-state rival Orlando.
Hohensee, a former QB himself at the University of Minnesota as well as the old USFL, CFL and AFL, tabbed Allgood at the beginning of the season, in large part because he was coming off the monster year and had a history with the Soul's top playmaker, wide receiver Donovan Morgan. The two hooked up for
52 touchdowns last season in Oklahoma.
For whatever reason things haven't clicked for Allgood this season. In fact things have been anything but "all good." The second-year pro started the first three games of the season, all Soul losses, and made far too mistakes.
Vena has come on both as a Brian Boucher-style reliever and a starter over the past month and been far more productive, compiling a 115.44 rating to Allgood's 88.59 coming in. Meanwhile Vena had thrown for nearly 200 more yards and nine more TDs despite attempting five fewer passes than Allgood on the season. Vena also got the Soul back on the winning tack last week in Des Moines, halting an ugly five-game losing streak by matching a career-high by throwing eight touchdowns against his former team.
That all ended Friday. Vena just didn't have it, struggling with his accuracy, never a good thing in the cramped quarters of the AFL game, and tossing two interceptions before Hohensee pulled the plug and went back to Allgood.
The move didn't work and the back breaker came for the Soul came late in the third quarter when Allgood threw off his back foot into the middle of the field, being picked off by Sharks defensive back Terrance Smith, who returned it 41 yards for a score to give Jacksonville a comfortable 37-21 edge heading to the fourth quarter.
Vena finished just 11-for-23 for 123 yards with three TDs and the two picks in the game. Allgood wasn't much better, completing 8-of-15 for 127 yards with two TDs and the big interception.
Garcia, on the other hand, was 21-for-31 for 271 yards and five TDs with no interceptions for the Sharks, who won their franchise record eighth straight game dating back to last season, and continue to pace the South Division in the American Conference.
“When you play the toughest quarterbacks in the league you have to play better than we did,” said Hohensee. “We can’t have untimely turnovers like we did against one of the top teams in league. We have to improve in that area and others if we want to win.”
The highlight for the Soul came in the fourth quarter when rookie receiver Keith Stokes flashed his potential by taking a kickoff back 57 yards for a TD.
Morgan finished with nine receptions for 134 yards and two TDs, while Syvelle Newton, Stokes and Larry Brackins each caught a TD pass for the Soul.
Jomo Wilson hauled in 11 of Garcia's passes for 148 yards and three TDs for the Sharks.
The Soul are back in action on May 13 when they host the Georgia Force.
WEEKLY AWARDS:
National Guard Most Value Player: Garcia
Russell Offensive Player: Wilson
Riddell Defensive Player: Smith
JLS Ironman: Stokes
NiftyTV Playmaker: Garcia
Cutter’s Catch of the Game: Jacksonville’s Jomo Wilson’s 29-yard touchdown reception ending with him flipping over the rear end zone wall.
Spalding Highlight of the Game: Jacksonville’s Terrance Smith’s 41-yard interception return for a touchdown.
No Califf for Union against Portland
Veteran Union defender Danny Califf will miss tonight's game in Portland with an illness.
Fellow D Jordan Harvey is also unavailable for the Union after picking up a red card against San Jose last Saturday.
Fellow D Jordan Harvey is also unavailable for the Union after picking up a red card against San Jose last Saturday.
Oswalt to miss another start
Phillies pitcher Roy Oswalt will miss his next scheduled start, Saturday against the Braves, with back problems.
A report from the Philadelphia Inquirer said Oswalt could go on the disabled list with soreness.
The veteran right-hander, who has gone 3-1 with a 3.33 earned run average this season, hasn't pitched since April 26. Oswalt allowed five runs in three innings in that start against Arizona, and left the Phillies the following day for his home in Mississippi, where tornadoes had caused massive damage.
With Oswalt out, the Phillies will start Kyle Kendrick, who has made eight relief appearances this season.Kendrick will oppose one of the top pitching prospects in baseball, Julio Teheran, who will make his major league debut.
A report from the Philadelphia Inquirer said Oswalt could go on the disabled list with soreness.
The veteran right-hander, who has gone 3-1 with a 3.33 earned run average this season, hasn't pitched since April 26. Oswalt allowed five runs in three innings in that start against Arizona, and left the Phillies the following day for his home in Mississippi, where tornadoes had caused massive damage.
With Oswalt out, the Phillies will start Kyle Kendrick, who has made eight relief appearances this season.Kendrick will oppose one of the top pitching prospects in baseball, Julio Teheran, who will make his major league debut.
Another Flyers goaltending change
According to multiple sources, Sergei Bobrovsky will start in goal in Friday's Game 4 against the Bruins in Boston.
Facing the spectre of being swept for the first time in 14 years, Flyers head coach Peter Laviolette cited Bobrovsky's work in relief in this series as a main factor in starting the young Russian tonight.
Facing the spectre of being swept for the first time in 14 years, Flyers head coach Peter Laviolette cited Bobrovsky's work in relief in this series as a main factor in starting the young Russian tonight.
Flyers fight to stay alive
By Dan Di Sciullo
The Flyers were able to post four straight wins last year against the Bruins to become the third team in NHL history to win a series after going down 3-0, but Boston will try to end this best-of-seven series tonight, when it hosts Game 4 at TD Garden.
Philadelphia was a seventh seed last year when it pulled off the amazing comeback against the Bruins, but despite coming into this year's series as the second seed in the East, the Flyers still found themselves in the same situation.
"You have to draw strength from everything you've gone through as a group," Flyers captain Mike Richards said. "It's not the time to point fingers and not the time to get down. It's a time you have to stick together and come together as a group and hopefully, do something special."
Outside of an overtime victory in Game 2, third-seeded Boston has battered the Flyers in this series, taking the opener in Philadelphia by a 7-3 score and notching a 5-1 triumph Wednesday night in Beantown.
Zdeno Chara had two goals and an assist, David Krejci added a goal and two assists and Nathan Horton had a goal and an assist to give Boston the easy victory in Game 3.
The Bruins can exorcise last year's playoff demons tonight in Boston, and can do so with another strong performance from goaltender Tim Thomas, who stopped 37 shots on Wednesday.
"I think we all feel pretty good about our game right now and confident," said Boston forward Daniel Paille, who had a goal in the game. "So the main thing for us is not to get too high and stay focused."
Krejci has been a dominant force for Boston in this series, posting a goal in every game and registering eight points (4 goals, 4 assists) over the three games.
Chara -- Boston's mammoth defenseman -- had gone 19 straight playoff tilts without scoring a goal before Wednesday's outburst. His last postseason tallies also came in a two-goal performance against Buffalo on April 17 of last year.
Chara, a Norris Trophy finalist this year, also helped Boston end its lengthy playoff power-play drought when he notched his second goal on a 5-on-3 situation with 1:22 left in the game. Boston entered Game 3 with no goals on 28 opportunities with the man advantage and is now 1-for-32.
With a win tonight, Boston will reach the conference finals for the first time since 1992, when they were swept by Pittsburgh.
The Flyers found themselves down 2-0 just 63 seconds into Game 3 after Chara and Krejci tallied in the first period. That burst was all Thomas would need to make the lead stand up for the win.
"That was about as good a start as you could ask for, especially on home ice," said Thomas. "It doesn't always work out that way. Definitely helped. It certainly helped from my perspective in goal. That's for sure."
Andrej Meszaros scored the lone goal for the Flyers, who pulled their starting goaltender for the sixth time in 10 playoff games. Philadelphia has used two netminders in all three tilts in this series, although Brian Boucher was pulled for injury reasons in Game 2 before returning to finish the contest.
Boucher started between the pipes on Wednesday and was blitzed for four goals on 20 shots before being pulled just over 15 minutes into the second. Sergei Bobrovsky finished the game in net and stopped 7-of-8 shots.
Bobrovsky is expected to get the start tonight. It would be the Russian rookie's first start since Game 2 of Philadelphia's first-round series against Buffalo.
The Flyers got forward Jeff Carter back in the lineup Wednesday, but defenseman Chris Pronger missed his second straight game with an undisclosed injury. Pronger is questionable for this evening's contest as well.
Boston defenseman Adam McQuaid is expected to sit out a second straight tilt after sustaining a neck injury in Game 2.
The Bruins' collapse against the Flyers last year marks the only time they have lost a best-of-seven series after taking the first three games. It's also the only time Philadelphia has won a set when in that situation.
The Flyers haven't been swept since losing the 1997 Stanley Cup Finals to Detroit in four games. Boston's last sweep was against Montreal in the opening round of the 2009 postseason.
Boston is 3-2 on home ice in these playoffs and had a 22-13-6 mark as the host during the regular season. If the Bruins are unable to clinch the series tonight then Game 5 will be played Sunday afternoon in Philadelphia.
The Flyers set a franchise record with 25 road wins during the regular season, posting a 25-11-5 mark away from home. Philly is 2-2 on the road this postseason.
This is the sixth all-time playoff encounter between the Flyers and Bruins. Philadelphia has won three of those series and last year's meeting was the first postseason battle between the clubs since 1978.
The Flyers were able to post four straight wins last year against the Bruins to become the third team in NHL history to win a series after going down 3-0, but Boston will try to end this best-of-seven series tonight, when it hosts Game 4 at TD Garden.
Philadelphia was a seventh seed last year when it pulled off the amazing comeback against the Bruins, but despite coming into this year's series as the second seed in the East, the Flyers still found themselves in the same situation.
"You have to draw strength from everything you've gone through as a group," Flyers captain Mike Richards said. "It's not the time to point fingers and not the time to get down. It's a time you have to stick together and come together as a group and hopefully, do something special."
Outside of an overtime victory in Game 2, third-seeded Boston has battered the Flyers in this series, taking the opener in Philadelphia by a 7-3 score and notching a 5-1 triumph Wednesday night in Beantown.
Zdeno Chara had two goals and an assist, David Krejci added a goal and two assists and Nathan Horton had a goal and an assist to give Boston the easy victory in Game 3.
The Bruins can exorcise last year's playoff demons tonight in Boston, and can do so with another strong performance from goaltender Tim Thomas, who stopped 37 shots on Wednesday.
"I think we all feel pretty good about our game right now and confident," said Boston forward Daniel Paille, who had a goal in the game. "So the main thing for us is not to get too high and stay focused."
Krejci has been a dominant force for Boston in this series, posting a goal in every game and registering eight points (4 goals, 4 assists) over the three games.
Chara -- Boston's mammoth defenseman -- had gone 19 straight playoff tilts without scoring a goal before Wednesday's outburst. His last postseason tallies also came in a two-goal performance against Buffalo on April 17 of last year.
Chara, a Norris Trophy finalist this year, also helped Boston end its lengthy playoff power-play drought when he notched his second goal on a 5-on-3 situation with 1:22 left in the game. Boston entered Game 3 with no goals on 28 opportunities with the man advantage and is now 1-for-32.
With a win tonight, Boston will reach the conference finals for the first time since 1992, when they were swept by Pittsburgh.
The Flyers found themselves down 2-0 just 63 seconds into Game 3 after Chara and Krejci tallied in the first period. That burst was all Thomas would need to make the lead stand up for the win.
"That was about as good a start as you could ask for, especially on home ice," said Thomas. "It doesn't always work out that way. Definitely helped. It certainly helped from my perspective in goal. That's for sure."
Andrej Meszaros scored the lone goal for the Flyers, who pulled their starting goaltender for the sixth time in 10 playoff games. Philadelphia has used two netminders in all three tilts in this series, although Brian Boucher was pulled for injury reasons in Game 2 before returning to finish the contest.
Boucher started between the pipes on Wednesday and was blitzed for four goals on 20 shots before being pulled just over 15 minutes into the second. Sergei Bobrovsky finished the game in net and stopped 7-of-8 shots.
Bobrovsky is expected to get the start tonight. It would be the Russian rookie's first start since Game 2 of Philadelphia's first-round series against Buffalo.
The Flyers got forward Jeff Carter back in the lineup Wednesday, but defenseman Chris Pronger missed his second straight game with an undisclosed injury. Pronger is questionable for this evening's contest as well.
Boston defenseman Adam McQuaid is expected to sit out a second straight tilt after sustaining a neck injury in Game 2.
The Bruins' collapse against the Flyers last year marks the only time they have lost a best-of-seven series after taking the first three games. It's also the only time Philadelphia has won a set when in that situation.
The Flyers haven't been swept since losing the 1997 Stanley Cup Finals to Detroit in four games. Boston's last sweep was against Montreal in the opening round of the 2009 postseason.
Boston is 3-2 on home ice in these playoffs and had a 22-13-6 mark as the host during the regular season. If the Bruins are unable to clinch the series tonight then Game 5 will be played Sunday afternoon in Philadelphia.
The Flyers set a franchise record with 25 road wins during the regular season, posting a 25-11-5 mark away from home. Philly is 2-2 on the road this postseason.
This is the sixth all-time playoff encounter between the Flyers and Bruins. Philadelphia has won three of those series and last year's meeting was the first postseason battle between the clubs since 1978.
Soul host Jacksonville
PHILADELPHIA (May 6, 2011) – The Philadelphia Soul (2-5) will be playing their second home game of the season tonight against the Jacksonville Sharks (6-1) at Wells Fargo Center.
The Soul hope to put consecutive wins together for the first time this season, while the Sharks look to extend their franchise-record six game winning streak in the teams’ first-ever meeting.
It will be ‘Faith & Family Night’ at the Wells Fargo Center, with faith-based rock bands ‘Fairwarning’ and ‘Freddie Fish & the Loaves’ performing prior to the game, beginning at 5 p.m. Fans are also invited to attend the Post Game Message of Encouragement with the Philadelphia Soul Chaplin Mike Reichenbach and the official Post Game Party of the Philadelphia Soul at Chickie’s & Pete’s in South Philly, presented by Miller Lite, immediately following the game.
Last week, the Soul defeated Iowa 76-62, in Des Moines, on the arm of quarterback Ryan Vena. The three-year Arena Football veteran completed 20-of-30 passes (66.7%) for 317 yards and tied a career high by throwing eight touchdowns, against his former team. Vena was aided by the improvement of his offensive line, which did not allow a sack against the Barnstormers.
The emergence of rookie wide receiver Keith Stokes and consistency of wide receiver Donovan Morgan has allowed Vena to excel over recent weeks. After two weeks, Stokes has caught 19 receptions for 240 yards and five touchdowns, including a 49-yard touchdown reception last week, which ties the league record. On the other side, Morgan has compiled 56 receptions for 869 yards, ranked No. 2 in the League, and 13 touchdowns.
Jacksonville’s offense has proven to be one of the most lethal in the AFL, scoring an average of 62.6 points per game, ranked No. 2 in the league, and outscoring opponents by 19.8 points per game in their six victories. The Shark posing the greatest threat is 17-year veteran quarterback Aaron Garcia, who threw for his 1,000 career touchdown pass last week in a 76-55 victory over division and in-state rival Orlando Predators (4-3).
Garcia will be looking to add to his touchdown record by connecting with wide receivers Jeron Harvey and Jomo Wilson. The pair has collectively caught 99 passes for 1,254 yards and 32 touchdowns. Fullback Kirby Griffin has also contributed by rushing for 149 yards, No. 5 in the league, and eight touchdowns, tied for No. 6.
The Soul defenders in charge of stopping the Sharks’ attack are two AFL veterans, defensive back Mike Brown and linebacker DeJuan Alfonzo. Brown has made key plays throughout the first seven games of the season by contributing 32.5 total tackles, three interceptions, and two pass break ups. Last week against the Barnstormers, Alfonzo helped solidify a Soul victory with a 39-yard interception return for a touchdown midway through the fourth quarter. He has also added 29.0 total tackles and two fumble recoveries this year.
Defensive back Micheaux Robinson provides the biggest bite in the Sharks’ secondary with his 46.0 total tackles, four interceptions, and league-leading 15 pass break ups. The Sharks will need Robinson to help improve their pass defense, which allows 300.3 yards per game, ranked No. 17 in the league.
One of the most important factors of the game could be turnovers. The Sharks are currently tied for No. 1 in the league with a plus-9 turnover margin. Although the Soul are tied for No. 12 in the league with a minus-2 turnover ratio, they have improved since their first home game of the season three weeks ago, where they were a minus-7.
This American Conference match-up has the potential to become a high-scoring affair with both offenses peeking in recent weeks as the two clubs look to continue their winning ways.
The Soul hope to put consecutive wins together for the first time this season, while the Sharks look to extend their franchise-record six game winning streak in the teams’ first-ever meeting.
It will be ‘Faith & Family Night’ at the Wells Fargo Center, with faith-based rock bands ‘Fairwarning’ and ‘Freddie Fish & the Loaves’ performing prior to the game, beginning at 5 p.m. Fans are also invited to attend the Post Game Message of Encouragement with the Philadelphia Soul Chaplin Mike Reichenbach and the official Post Game Party of the Philadelphia Soul at Chickie’s & Pete’s in South Philly, presented by Miller Lite, immediately following the game.
Last week, the Soul defeated Iowa 76-62, in Des Moines, on the arm of quarterback Ryan Vena. The three-year Arena Football veteran completed 20-of-30 passes (66.7%) for 317 yards and tied a career high by throwing eight touchdowns, against his former team. Vena was aided by the improvement of his offensive line, which did not allow a sack against the Barnstormers.
The emergence of rookie wide receiver Keith Stokes and consistency of wide receiver Donovan Morgan has allowed Vena to excel over recent weeks. After two weeks, Stokes has caught 19 receptions for 240 yards and five touchdowns, including a 49-yard touchdown reception last week, which ties the league record. On the other side, Morgan has compiled 56 receptions for 869 yards, ranked No. 2 in the League, and 13 touchdowns.
Jacksonville’s offense has proven to be one of the most lethal in the AFL, scoring an average of 62.6 points per game, ranked No. 2 in the league, and outscoring opponents by 19.8 points per game in their six victories. The Shark posing the greatest threat is 17-year veteran quarterback Aaron Garcia, who threw for his 1,000 career touchdown pass last week in a 76-55 victory over division and in-state rival Orlando Predators (4-3).
Garcia will be looking to add to his touchdown record by connecting with wide receivers Jeron Harvey and Jomo Wilson. The pair has collectively caught 99 passes for 1,254 yards and 32 touchdowns. Fullback Kirby Griffin has also contributed by rushing for 149 yards, No. 5 in the league, and eight touchdowns, tied for No. 6.
The Soul defenders in charge of stopping the Sharks’ attack are two AFL veterans, defensive back Mike Brown and linebacker DeJuan Alfonzo. Brown has made key plays throughout the first seven games of the season by contributing 32.5 total tackles, three interceptions, and two pass break ups. Last week against the Barnstormers, Alfonzo helped solidify a Soul victory with a 39-yard interception return for a touchdown midway through the fourth quarter. He has also added 29.0 total tackles and two fumble recoveries this year.
Defensive back Micheaux Robinson provides the biggest bite in the Sharks’ secondary with his 46.0 total tackles, four interceptions, and league-leading 15 pass break ups. The Sharks will need Robinson to help improve their pass defense, which allows 300.3 yards per game, ranked No. 17 in the league.
One of the most important factors of the game could be turnovers. The Sharks are currently tied for No. 1 in the league with a plus-9 turnover margin. Although the Soul are tied for No. 12 in the league with a minus-2 turnover ratio, they have improved since their first home game of the season three weeks ago, where they were a minus-7.
This American Conference match-up has the potential to become a high-scoring affair with both offenses peeking in recent weeks as the two clubs look to continue their winning ways.
Thursday, May 05, 2011
Former Eagles lineman Gossage passes away
PHILADELPHIA (The Phanatic Magazine) - Former Eagles lineman Gene Gossage passed away on Sunday, May 1 in Old Saybrook, CT, at the age of 76, according to the team.
Gossage was a member of the 1960 NFL Championship squad as he played in 40 games with the Eagles from 1960-62. Gossage was a two-time, All-Big Ten Conference selection while playing at Northwestern. He was drafted in the 28th round by the Eagles in 1958.
Following his playing career, Gossage went on to become the Vice President of the Industrial Hardware Division of Stanley Industries. He is survived by his wife, Jaqueline, a son, Gene Gossage, a daughter, Jennifer Carr, and a grandson, Hudson Carr.
Gossage was a member of the 1960 NFL Championship squad as he played in 40 games with the Eagles from 1960-62. Gossage was a two-time, All-Big Ten Conference selection while playing at Northwestern. He was drafted in the 28th round by the Eagles in 1958.
Following his playing career, Gossage went on to become the Vice President of the Industrial Hardware Division of Stanley Industries. He is survived by his wife, Jaqueline, a son, Gene Gossage, a daughter, Jennifer Carr, and a grandson, Hudson Carr.
On the NBA: Reality check: Mavs are anything but offensive
By John McMullen
Perception is often greater than reality.
The Dallas Mavericks have been a dominant regular season team since the turn of the century thanks in large part to the spectacular future Hall of Famer Dirk Nowitzki.
The German superstar arrived in Big D back in the 1998-99 season and by his third campaign in north Texas, was averaging 21.8 points per game. The Mavs also happened to win 53 games that season. Since then, Dirk has never scored under 20.0 ppg and Dallas has never failed to crack the 50-win barrier. Nowitzki has earned 10 All-Star nods, a Most Valuable Player Award in 2007 and four appearances on the All-NBA First Team over that span
But his Mavericks are far more famous for their playoff failures in both 2006 and '07. After taking a 2-0 lead over Dwyane Wade and the Heat back in the 2006 NBA Finals, Dallas fell apart at the seams and lost four straight to Miami.
The team looked like it rebounded nicely in '06-07, winning a franchise record 67 games but any goodwill that cultivated was quickly lost when the Golden State Warriors became the first eight seed to upset a No. 1 in a best-of- seven format, taking the heavily-favored Mavs in six games.
Of course those Dallas teams grew up under offensive mastermind Don Nelson and were all about offense, a philosophy that clearly faltered in the grind-it- out, half-court mentality of the NBA postseason. Conventional wisdom said that Dirk and the Mavs were soft, a label that they have been trying to shed ever since.
After the Warriors debacle in '07, mercurial owner Mark Cuban, along with Donn Nelson, Don's son and the team's President of Basketball Operations/General Manager, have been slowly remaking the team around Nowitzki.
The big breakthrough came back in February of 2010 when a blockbuster deal brought former All-Star forward Caron Butler, center Brendan Haywood, and guard DeShawn Stevenson from the nation's capital to Dallas for a package of players.
The deal landed three tough, hard-nosed players in the Lone Star State and was clearly designed to inject more of a defensive mindset to a team that ignored that end of the floor for far too long.
Things ramped up even more before this season when the Mavs acquired big man Tyson Chandler from the Charlotte Bobcats. One of the best interior defenders in all of basketball, the 7-foot-1 Chandler finished third in the NBA's Defensive Player of the Year voting this season.
This group of Mavericks waltzed into Los Angeles, a city in which they were 11-53 all-time versus the Lakers in the regular season and 0-10 in the playoffs, and promptly took the first two games of the Western Conference semifinals, the latest of which was a dominant 93-81 victory on Wednesday.
"If you told me before we were going to win both games, it would have been hard to believe. But I believe we earned it," Nowitzki said.
The Mavs success in Hollywood marks the first time that the two-time defending champs have lost the first two games of a playoff series at home since 1977 when Bill Walton's Portland team beat them in the Western Conference finals. Those Trail Blazers went on to win the title that year.
Perhaps even more impressive than the wins in LA, however, is how the Mavs got it done. Dallas has tightened the screws in the fourth quarter allowing the Lakers just 35 total points over two games on 33 percent shooting in the final frame.
Kobe Bryant, the best player of his generation and perhaps the best closer in the game, has made 23 field goals in the set but none of them have been layups or dunks.
Does that sound like a soft team?
"They're executing extremely well and we're not making the right reads defensively," Bryant admitted.
The Mavs success in the series also seems to have gotten in the Lakers' heads.
"I think all 13 of our guys have trust issues right now," said Lakers center Andrew Bynum. "We're a talented team so we kind of get by sometimes...at this point it's obvious because this team is cutting us apart and we're not doing anything about it...now it's time to really sit down and ask ourselves the tough questions."
Those tough questions will have to be addressed in Dallas now and if history is any kind of precursor, the Lakers are in deep trouble. LA is just 2-16 all time in the postseason when falling behind 0-2. Meanwhile, in NBA history, teams that go on to win the first two games on the road have won the series 15 of 18 times.
"This series is far from over," Nowitzki said. "I've been around a long time. I've been up 2-0 before and ended up losing the series...we have to stay focused, stay together, let our home crowd rise us on Friday, and hopefully get another great win."
No NBA team has ever escaped an 0-3 deficit.
"With the crowd and being at home, I think we just took a piece of their heart," Stevenson told NBA.com on whether he's ever seen the Lakers this frustrated. "I haven't [seen them this frustrated]. I don't know if it's winning back-to-back titles or being tired, I don't know what they're going through."
In the end, the Charmin references aren't going to dry up until the Larry O'Brien Trophy takes up residence in Cuban's office but for those caught up in the Mavs' perception, it might be a good time for a reality check.
Perception is often greater than reality.
The Dallas Mavericks have been a dominant regular season team since the turn of the century thanks in large part to the spectacular future Hall of Famer Dirk Nowitzki.
The German superstar arrived in Big D back in the 1998-99 season and by his third campaign in north Texas, was averaging 21.8 points per game. The Mavs also happened to win 53 games that season. Since then, Dirk has never scored under 20.0 ppg and Dallas has never failed to crack the 50-win barrier. Nowitzki has earned 10 All-Star nods, a Most Valuable Player Award in 2007 and four appearances on the All-NBA First Team over that span
But his Mavericks are far more famous for their playoff failures in both 2006 and '07. After taking a 2-0 lead over Dwyane Wade and the Heat back in the 2006 NBA Finals, Dallas fell apart at the seams and lost four straight to Miami.
The team looked like it rebounded nicely in '06-07, winning a franchise record 67 games but any goodwill that cultivated was quickly lost when the Golden State Warriors became the first eight seed to upset a No. 1 in a best-of- seven format, taking the heavily-favored Mavs in six games.
Of course those Dallas teams grew up under offensive mastermind Don Nelson and were all about offense, a philosophy that clearly faltered in the grind-it- out, half-court mentality of the NBA postseason. Conventional wisdom said that Dirk and the Mavs were soft, a label that they have been trying to shed ever since.
After the Warriors debacle in '07, mercurial owner Mark Cuban, along with Donn Nelson, Don's son and the team's President of Basketball Operations/General Manager, have been slowly remaking the team around Nowitzki.
The big breakthrough came back in February of 2010 when a blockbuster deal brought former All-Star forward Caron Butler, center Brendan Haywood, and guard DeShawn Stevenson from the nation's capital to Dallas for a package of players.
The deal landed three tough, hard-nosed players in the Lone Star State and was clearly designed to inject more of a defensive mindset to a team that ignored that end of the floor for far too long.
Things ramped up even more before this season when the Mavs acquired big man Tyson Chandler from the Charlotte Bobcats. One of the best interior defenders in all of basketball, the 7-foot-1 Chandler finished third in the NBA's Defensive Player of the Year voting this season.
This group of Mavericks waltzed into Los Angeles, a city in which they were 11-53 all-time versus the Lakers in the regular season and 0-10 in the playoffs, and promptly took the first two games of the Western Conference semifinals, the latest of which was a dominant 93-81 victory on Wednesday.
"If you told me before we were going to win both games, it would have been hard to believe. But I believe we earned it," Nowitzki said.
The Mavs success in Hollywood marks the first time that the two-time defending champs have lost the first two games of a playoff series at home since 1977 when Bill Walton's Portland team beat them in the Western Conference finals. Those Trail Blazers went on to win the title that year.
Perhaps even more impressive than the wins in LA, however, is how the Mavs got it done. Dallas has tightened the screws in the fourth quarter allowing the Lakers just 35 total points over two games on 33 percent shooting in the final frame.
Kobe Bryant, the best player of his generation and perhaps the best closer in the game, has made 23 field goals in the set but none of them have been layups or dunks.
Does that sound like a soft team?
"They're executing extremely well and we're not making the right reads defensively," Bryant admitted.
The Mavs success in the series also seems to have gotten in the Lakers' heads.
"I think all 13 of our guys have trust issues right now," said Lakers center Andrew Bynum. "We're a talented team so we kind of get by sometimes...at this point it's obvious because this team is cutting us apart and we're not doing anything about it...now it's time to really sit down and ask ourselves the tough questions."
Those tough questions will have to be addressed in Dallas now and if history is any kind of precursor, the Lakers are in deep trouble. LA is just 2-16 all time in the postseason when falling behind 0-2. Meanwhile, in NBA history, teams that go on to win the first two games on the road have won the series 15 of 18 times.
"This series is far from over," Nowitzki said. "I've been around a long time. I've been up 2-0 before and ended up losing the series...we have to stay focused, stay together, let our home crowd rise us on Friday, and hopefully get another great win."
No NBA team has ever escaped an 0-3 deficit.
"With the crowd and being at home, I think we just took a piece of their heart," Stevenson told NBA.com on whether he's ever seen the Lakers this frustrated. "I haven't [seen them this frustrated]. I don't know if it's winning back-to-back titles or being tired, I don't know what they're going through."
In the end, the Charmin references aren't going to dry up until the Larry O'Brien Trophy takes up residence in Cuban's office but for those caught up in the Mavs' perception, it might be a good time for a reality check.
Déjà vu: Bruins up 3-0 on Flyers
By Eric Redner
A year later, the Boston Bruins find themselves in the same position against the Philadelphia Flyers.
Zdeno Chara had two goals and an assist, David Krejci added a goal and two assists and Nathan Horton had a goal and an assist to give Boston a 5-1 win and a 3-0 lead in this Eastern Conference semifinal series.
The Bruins were in nearly the same situation in last year's conference semifinal series after winning the first two games at home and taking Game 3 in Philadelphia.
However, the Bruins went on to lose the next three games and blew a 3-0 lead in Game 7 to become just the third team in NHL history to drop a seven-game series after going up three games to none.
The Bruins will look to exorcise last year's demons Friday in Game 4 in Boston, and can do so with another strong performance from goaltender Tim Thomas, who stopped 37 shots Wednesday.
"I think we all feel pretty good about our game right now and confident," said Boston forward Daniel Paille, who had a goal in the game. "So the main thing for us is not to get too high and stay focused."
Andrej Meszaros scored the lone goal for the Flyers, who pulled their starting goaltender for the fifth time in 10 playoff games.
Brian Boucher started between the pipes and was blitzed for two goals in the first 63 seconds. He wound up allowing four goals on 20 shots before being pulled just over 15 minutes into the second. Sergei Bobrovsky finished the game in net and stopped 7-of-8 shots.
The Bruins came out with the blitz and scored twice in 63 seconds to take a lead they never relinquished.
The first goal came at the 30 second mark as quick work in the Philly end resulted in a backhand pass behind the left side of the net to the front where Chara blasted it home for his first goal of the playoffs.
Moments later, a behind the back pass from Milan Lucic in the low right boards to the front saw Krejci one-time the puck home for a 2-0 lead.
"Yeah, it's not the start that we envisioned and you know you want to get off to a good start and it didn't happen today," said Boucher.
Thomas stopped 12 shots in the first period.
"That was about as good a start as you could ask for, especially on home ice," said Thomas. "It doesn't always work out that way. Definitely helped. It certainly helped from my perspective in goal. That's for sure."
Boston made it a 3-0 contest at the 13:39 mark of the second as a transition play saw Greg Campbell send a pass from the right to the left and Paille snap a shot into the right corner of the net.
Just under two minutes later, Horton skated through the middle and over to the inside right circle before slipping a shot between the pads of Boucher, who was pulled from the net and replaced by Bobrovsky.
Philly got on the board with 3:34 to play in the second on Meszaros' second goal of the playoffs, a wrister from down low at the left side.
Thomas, though, stopped 12 shots in the final period as Philly was unable to cut any further into its deficit.
To add insult to injury, Boston scored on a 5-on-3 power play with 1:22 to play when Chara's one-time blast from the top of the left circle sailed into the net.
It was the first time in the playoffs that Boston had scored on the man advantage. The team came into Game 3 0-for-28 on the power play in its previous nine contests this postseason.
Game Notes
Chara was plus-four in the contest...It was the quickest two goals to start a game in Boston playoff history. Also, it was the fastest two goals allowed by the Flyers to start a playoff game...Boston hasn't reached the conference finals since 1992...Philadelphia defenseman Chris Pronger sat out for a second straight game while forward Jeff Carter returned after missing the final three games of the first round the first two games of this series with a knee injury.
A year later, the Boston Bruins find themselves in the same position against the Philadelphia Flyers.
Zdeno Chara had two goals and an assist, David Krejci added a goal and two assists and Nathan Horton had a goal and an assist to give Boston a 5-1 win and a 3-0 lead in this Eastern Conference semifinal series.
The Bruins were in nearly the same situation in last year's conference semifinal series after winning the first two games at home and taking Game 3 in Philadelphia.
However, the Bruins went on to lose the next three games and blew a 3-0 lead in Game 7 to become just the third team in NHL history to drop a seven-game series after going up three games to none.
The Bruins will look to exorcise last year's demons Friday in Game 4 in Boston, and can do so with another strong performance from goaltender Tim Thomas, who stopped 37 shots Wednesday.
"I think we all feel pretty good about our game right now and confident," said Boston forward Daniel Paille, who had a goal in the game. "So the main thing for us is not to get too high and stay focused."
Andrej Meszaros scored the lone goal for the Flyers, who pulled their starting goaltender for the fifth time in 10 playoff games.
Brian Boucher started between the pipes and was blitzed for two goals in the first 63 seconds. He wound up allowing four goals on 20 shots before being pulled just over 15 minutes into the second. Sergei Bobrovsky finished the game in net and stopped 7-of-8 shots.
The Bruins came out with the blitz and scored twice in 63 seconds to take a lead they never relinquished.
The first goal came at the 30 second mark as quick work in the Philly end resulted in a backhand pass behind the left side of the net to the front where Chara blasted it home for his first goal of the playoffs.
Moments later, a behind the back pass from Milan Lucic in the low right boards to the front saw Krejci one-time the puck home for a 2-0 lead.
"Yeah, it's not the start that we envisioned and you know you want to get off to a good start and it didn't happen today," said Boucher.
Thomas stopped 12 shots in the first period.
"That was about as good a start as you could ask for, especially on home ice," said Thomas. "It doesn't always work out that way. Definitely helped. It certainly helped from my perspective in goal. That's for sure."
Boston made it a 3-0 contest at the 13:39 mark of the second as a transition play saw Greg Campbell send a pass from the right to the left and Paille snap a shot into the right corner of the net.
Just under two minutes later, Horton skated through the middle and over to the inside right circle before slipping a shot between the pads of Boucher, who was pulled from the net and replaced by Bobrovsky.
Philly got on the board with 3:34 to play in the second on Meszaros' second goal of the playoffs, a wrister from down low at the left side.
Thomas, though, stopped 12 shots in the final period as Philly was unable to cut any further into its deficit.
To add insult to injury, Boston scored on a 5-on-3 power play with 1:22 to play when Chara's one-time blast from the top of the left circle sailed into the net.
It was the first time in the playoffs that Boston had scored on the man advantage. The team came into Game 3 0-for-28 on the power play in its previous nine contests this postseason.
Game Notes
Chara was plus-four in the contest...It was the quickest two goals to start a game in Boston playoff history. Also, it was the fastest two goals allowed by the Flyers to start a playoff game...Boston hasn't reached the conference finals since 1992...Philadelphia defenseman Chris Pronger sat out for a second straight game while forward Jeff Carter returned after missing the final three games of the first round the first two games of this series with a knee injury.
Wednesday, May 04, 2011
Flyers look to turn things around in Boston
By Dan Di Sciullo
The Philadelphia Flyers will try to avoid falling behind 3-0 to Boston in the Eastern Conference semifinals when they visit the Bruins for tonight's Game 3 at TD Garden.
Of course, the Flyers dropped the first three games of last year's best-of- seven conference semifinal encounter with Boston before posting four straight wins to become the third team in NHL history to win a series after going down 3-0.
Counting last year's collapse against the Flyers, the Bruins have lost seven best-of-seven series after taking the first two games. Philadelphia has a 3-13 record in series that it has trailed two-games-to-none and one of those wins came last year against Boston.
Boston now has a chance to redeem itself for last year's postseason meltdown and take charge of this series with Games 3 and 4 being played on home ice.
The third-seeded Bruins, who will host Game 4 on Friday, had a decent 22-13-6 record on home ice during the regular season and were 2-2 on home ice against Montreal in the opening round. Boston defeated the Canadiens in seven games, and for the first time in club history they overcame a 2-0 deficit to win a series.
"We have to win, we have to go to Boston and win one hockey game," said Philadelphia head coach Peter Laviolette.
After slamming the Flyers by a 7-3 score in Game 1, Boston grabbed a 2-0 lead in the series with Monday's overtime victory at Wells Fargo Center. David Krejci scored the winner at the 14-minute mark of OT and Tim Thomas made 52 saves to help lift the Bruins to the 3-2 victory.
Flyers defenseman Braydon Coburn had the puck behind the left side of his net and attempted to wrap it around the boards, but Nathan Horton kept it from going out. From the top of the right circle, he sent it over to the slot and Krejci's one-timer appeared to hit the back pipe.
The goal was initially waved off, but at the next whistle the play was reviewed. Replays showed the puck hit the rear brace of the net before ricocheting back into play.
"He (Horton) picked it up and he made a nice play," said Krejci about the goal. "I wanted to get a good one-timer and it worked. I thought it was in but then they kept playing so I just wanted to finish up on the shift and then the ref took a look at it and it was in."
Chris Kelly and Brad Marchand both had a goal in regulation for the Bruins.
"Yeah, it's great to come in and get the two wins but we are far from done," said Kelly. "Obviously, Montreal did this same thing to us and we know they are going to come hard in Boston."
Krejci, who was injured in last year's Game 3 against Philly and never returned in the series, has torched the Flyers for three goals and two assists in the first two games of this series.
Thomas, meanwhile, was a backup to Tuukka Rask in the 2010 playoffs before regaining his starting job with a stellar 2010-11 campaign. The Vezina Trophy finalist has turned aside 83-of-88 shots sent his way in this series and stopped every one of Philadelphia's 32 shots from the start of the third period until the end of the game on Monday.
Although Boston is just two wins away from reaching the conference finals for the first time since 1992, the Bruins have still yet to record a power-play goal in these playoffs. Boston was 0-for-2 with the man advantage on Monday and has failed to score on 28 power-play chances in nine games.
James van Riemsdyk was Philadelphia's best skater in Game 2, scoring both goals for the Flyers to give him seven tallies in this postseason. He is tied with teammate Danny Briere for the most goals in the playoffs this spring.
"I think it was a great team effort, a good response game from us," said van Riemsdyk. "But unfortunately that doesn't mean much because we didn't win the game."
The Flyers' goaltending situation continued on its tumultuous path through the 2011 postseason in Game 2. Starting netminder Brian Boucher left in the second period with an apparent hand injury, but came back for the third and played the rest of the game. He allowed all three goals on 35 shots while Sergei Bobrovsky stopped all six shots he faced in nearly nine minutes of action in the second period.
Boucher had been pulled from Game 1 of this series after allowing five goals on 18 shots, but Laviolette opted to start him in the second games. Boucher is expected to get the call in net again tonight.
Philadelphia played Game 2 without top defenseman Chris Pronger, who sat out with an undisclosed injury. Pronger has played in just three games this postseason after sitting out the last month of the regular season and the first five games the Flyers' opening-round series win over Buffalo.
The Bruins could be without a defenseman of their own tonight, as Adam McQuaid is dealing with a neck sprain suffered in Monday's contest. McQuaid suffered the injury late in the first period when he attempted to check Philadelphia forward Mike Richards near the Boston net. McQuaid had him lined up, but Richards stepped out of the way and McQuaid went crashing into the back boards head-first.
After several minutes on the ice, McQuaid was helped into the locker room. He was then taken to Jefferson Hospital in downtown Philadelphia for evaluation.
McQuaid has three assists and is plus-four in Boston's nine playoff games this year. McQuaid will likely be replaced by veteran Shane Hnidy if he is unable to go tonight.
The second-seeded Flyers are hoping to get Jeff Carter back at some point in this series, and he is questionable for Game 3. Carter, who led Philly with 36 goals in the regular season, suffered a sprained right MCL in Game 4 of the Buffalo series and hasn't played since.
Philadelphia was a seventh seed last year when it pulled off the amazing comeback against the Bruins, and the Flyers went on to win the Eastern Conference title before losing in six games to Chicago in the Stanley Cup Finals. This year, the Flyers are a second seed and entered the postseason as Atlantic Division champions.
Boston has also improved its seeding from a year ago, as the Bruins were a sixth seed in 2010, but gained the third spot in the East after winning the Northeast Division.
This is the sixth all-time postseason encounter between the Flyers and Bruins. Philadelphia has won three of those series and last year's meeting was the first playoff battle between the clubs since 1978.
The Flyers set a franchise record with 25 road wins during the regular season, posting a 25-11-5 mark away from home. Philly was 2-1 in Buffalo in the opening round.
The Philadelphia Flyers will try to avoid falling behind 3-0 to Boston in the Eastern Conference semifinals when they visit the Bruins for tonight's Game 3 at TD Garden.
Of course, the Flyers dropped the first three games of last year's best-of- seven conference semifinal encounter with Boston before posting four straight wins to become the third team in NHL history to win a series after going down 3-0.
Counting last year's collapse against the Flyers, the Bruins have lost seven best-of-seven series after taking the first two games. Philadelphia has a 3-13 record in series that it has trailed two-games-to-none and one of those wins came last year against Boston.
Boston now has a chance to redeem itself for last year's postseason meltdown and take charge of this series with Games 3 and 4 being played on home ice.
The third-seeded Bruins, who will host Game 4 on Friday, had a decent 22-13-6 record on home ice during the regular season and were 2-2 on home ice against Montreal in the opening round. Boston defeated the Canadiens in seven games, and for the first time in club history they overcame a 2-0 deficit to win a series.
"We have to win, we have to go to Boston and win one hockey game," said Philadelphia head coach Peter Laviolette.
After slamming the Flyers by a 7-3 score in Game 1, Boston grabbed a 2-0 lead in the series with Monday's overtime victory at Wells Fargo Center. David Krejci scored the winner at the 14-minute mark of OT and Tim Thomas made 52 saves to help lift the Bruins to the 3-2 victory.
Flyers defenseman Braydon Coburn had the puck behind the left side of his net and attempted to wrap it around the boards, but Nathan Horton kept it from going out. From the top of the right circle, he sent it over to the slot and Krejci's one-timer appeared to hit the back pipe.
The goal was initially waved off, but at the next whistle the play was reviewed. Replays showed the puck hit the rear brace of the net before ricocheting back into play.
"He (Horton) picked it up and he made a nice play," said Krejci about the goal. "I wanted to get a good one-timer and it worked. I thought it was in but then they kept playing so I just wanted to finish up on the shift and then the ref took a look at it and it was in."
Chris Kelly and Brad Marchand both had a goal in regulation for the Bruins.
"Yeah, it's great to come in and get the two wins but we are far from done," said Kelly. "Obviously, Montreal did this same thing to us and we know they are going to come hard in Boston."
Krejci, who was injured in last year's Game 3 against Philly and never returned in the series, has torched the Flyers for three goals and two assists in the first two games of this series.
Thomas, meanwhile, was a backup to Tuukka Rask in the 2010 playoffs before regaining his starting job with a stellar 2010-11 campaign. The Vezina Trophy finalist has turned aside 83-of-88 shots sent his way in this series and stopped every one of Philadelphia's 32 shots from the start of the third period until the end of the game on Monday.
Although Boston is just two wins away from reaching the conference finals for the first time since 1992, the Bruins have still yet to record a power-play goal in these playoffs. Boston was 0-for-2 with the man advantage on Monday and has failed to score on 28 power-play chances in nine games.
James van Riemsdyk was Philadelphia's best skater in Game 2, scoring both goals for the Flyers to give him seven tallies in this postseason. He is tied with teammate Danny Briere for the most goals in the playoffs this spring.
"I think it was a great team effort, a good response game from us," said van Riemsdyk. "But unfortunately that doesn't mean much because we didn't win the game."
The Flyers' goaltending situation continued on its tumultuous path through the 2011 postseason in Game 2. Starting netminder Brian Boucher left in the second period with an apparent hand injury, but came back for the third and played the rest of the game. He allowed all three goals on 35 shots while Sergei Bobrovsky stopped all six shots he faced in nearly nine minutes of action in the second period.
Boucher had been pulled from Game 1 of this series after allowing five goals on 18 shots, but Laviolette opted to start him in the second games. Boucher is expected to get the call in net again tonight.
Philadelphia played Game 2 without top defenseman Chris Pronger, who sat out with an undisclosed injury. Pronger has played in just three games this postseason after sitting out the last month of the regular season and the first five games the Flyers' opening-round series win over Buffalo.
The Bruins could be without a defenseman of their own tonight, as Adam McQuaid is dealing with a neck sprain suffered in Monday's contest. McQuaid suffered the injury late in the first period when he attempted to check Philadelphia forward Mike Richards near the Boston net. McQuaid had him lined up, but Richards stepped out of the way and McQuaid went crashing into the back boards head-first.
After several minutes on the ice, McQuaid was helped into the locker room. He was then taken to Jefferson Hospital in downtown Philadelphia for evaluation.
McQuaid has three assists and is plus-four in Boston's nine playoff games this year. McQuaid will likely be replaced by veteran Shane Hnidy if he is unable to go tonight.
The second-seeded Flyers are hoping to get Jeff Carter back at some point in this series, and he is questionable for Game 3. Carter, who led Philly with 36 goals in the regular season, suffered a sprained right MCL in Game 4 of the Buffalo series and hasn't played since.
Philadelphia was a seventh seed last year when it pulled off the amazing comeback against the Bruins, and the Flyers went on to win the Eastern Conference title before losing in six games to Chicago in the Stanley Cup Finals. This year, the Flyers are a second seed and entered the postseason as Atlantic Division champions.
Boston has also improved its seeding from a year ago, as the Bruins were a sixth seed in 2010, but gained the third spot in the East after winning the Northeast Division.
This is the sixth all-time postseason encounter between the Flyers and Bruins. Philadelphia has won three of those series and last year's meeting was the first playoff battle between the clubs since 1978.
The Flyers set a franchise record with 25 road wins during the regular season, posting a 25-11-5 mark away from home. Philly was 2-1 in Buffalo in the opening round.
Tuesday, May 03, 2011
Former Villanova star Dante Cunningham arrested
NBC10 is reporting that former Villanova star Dante Cunningham was arrested in Radnor Township last Friday.
Cunningham, who now plays for the NBA's Charlotte Bobcats, was reportedly pulled over by township police on the 100 block of East Lancaster Avenue for alleged speeding and reckless driving and police found marijuana, a marijuana pipe and a loaded BB gun.
Cunningham was eventually released pending a hearing.
Cunningham, who now plays for the NBA's Charlotte Bobcats, was reportedly pulled over by township police on the 100 block of East Lancaster Avenue for alleged speeding and reckless driving and police found marijuana, a marijuana pipe and a loaded BB gun.
Cunningham was eventually released pending a hearing.
Agassi, Sampras and McEnroe to play at Wells Fargo Center
Tennis legends Andre Agassi, Pete Sampras, John McEnroe and Jim Courier will compete at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia on Saturday, September 24, as part of the 2011 Champions Series circuit.
The newly expanded and reformatted Champions Series will begin on Thursday, September 22 in Fort Lauderdale, FL, taking the highly competitive tennis circuit to a total of 12 U.S. cities over a five week season through Saturday, October 22.
In addition to Agassi, Sampras, McEnroe and Courier, the five-week tour, produced by legendary impresario Larry Magid, will feature fellow Grand Slam champions Michael Chang, Bjorn Borg and Mats Wilander. The athletes will compete for a prize pool totaling $1 million to be shared by the top three finishers at the conclusion of the season. Each of the 12, one-night tournaments will feature four champions paired off in one-set semi-finals competing for ranking points, culminating with the winners contending for the title in an eight-game pro-set championship match.
“We are thrilled to reunite seven legends who have won an astonishing 52 Grand Slam singles titles among them,” said Jon Venison, Founding Partner of the Champions Series. “This is the greatest generation of champions ever assembled and an unprecedented opportunity for sports fans around the U.S. to reconnect with them.”
“Competing against my friends and foes in front of fans across the country is going to get my adrenaline pumping” said Jim Courier. “The player line-up and format of the circuit is ideal for me and my peers to quench our competitive thirst while showcasing tennis to many cities that lack pro tennis events. May the best man win.”
The newly expanded and reformatted Champions Series will begin on Thursday, September 22 in Fort Lauderdale, FL, taking the highly competitive tennis circuit to a total of 12 U.S. cities over a five week season through Saturday, October 22.
In addition to Agassi, Sampras, McEnroe and Courier, the five-week tour, produced by legendary impresario Larry Magid, will feature fellow Grand Slam champions Michael Chang, Bjorn Borg and Mats Wilander. The athletes will compete for a prize pool totaling $1 million to be shared by the top three finishers at the conclusion of the season. Each of the 12, one-night tournaments will feature four champions paired off in one-set semi-finals competing for ranking points, culminating with the winners contending for the title in an eight-game pro-set championship match.
“We are thrilled to reunite seven legends who have won an astonishing 52 Grand Slam singles titles among them,” said Jon Venison, Founding Partner of the Champions Series. “This is the greatest generation of champions ever assembled and an unprecedented opportunity for sports fans around the U.S. to reconnect with them.”
“Competing against my friends and foes in front of fans across the country is going to get my adrenaline pumping” said Jim Courier. “The player line-up and format of the circuit is ideal for me and my peers to quench our competitive thirst while showcasing tennis to many cities that lack pro tennis events. May the best man win.”
15th annual ECWA Super 8 results from Voorhees
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| 15th annual ECWA Super 8 champ Tommaso Ciampa |
15th Annual ECWA Super 8 Tournament - Flyers Skate Zone in Voorhees , New Jersey - Sat, April 30th, 2011
Special Guest Hostess: WWE Hall of Famer Tammy "Sunny" Sytch
Referees: John Finegan, Matt Bennett and Mike Kehner
- Mr. Ooh La Lawon and OVER THE TOP ROPE Battle Royal
- Quarter Finals: Adam Cole def. Sami Callihan
- Quarter Finals: Austin Aries def. Bobby Shields
- Quarter Finals: Tommaso Ciampa def. Rich Swann
- Quarter Finals: Shiima Xion def. SHOCKWAVE the Robot
- “TEAM ECWA” ECWA Heavyweight Champion“Greek God” Papadon, ECWA Mid-Atlantic Champion “Heart Killer” Chris Wylde and “Team MackTion” TJ & Kirby Mack def. “TEAM TWA” TWA Tag Team Champion“Fusion D.S.” Damian Dragon & Matt Saigon and “True Professional” Joshua Daniels.
Post-match, a late arriving TWA Heavyweight Champion Breaker Morant came to the ring in street clothes to explain to his team mates following their loss that he had transportation issues. Josh Daniels had none of it and hooked Breaker in a cross face submission. Dragon and Saigon left in disgust as referees and TWA Commissioner Joel Goodhart broke it up.
- Semi-Finals: Adam Cole def. Austin Aries
- Semi-Finals: Tommaso Ciampa def. Shiima Xion
- BATTLEOF THE ECWA GRAND SLAM CHAMPIONS, TEACHER VS. STUDENT: “The 1st Super 8 Champion and Hall of Famer” Ace Darling def. “2008 Super 8 Champion” Aden Chambers
- Finals: Tommaso Ciampa def. Adam Cole to win the 15th Annual ECWA Super 8 Tournament.
Slippery Rock's Fusco has chance with Vikings
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| Former Slippery Rock C Brandon Fusco |
(The Phanatic Magazine) - Nastiness is a trait that usually isn't all that coveted in the job market unless you happen to be a prospective NFL offensive lineman.
NFL personnel people covet disagreeable types, something Slippery Rock's Brandon Fusco embraces as part of his personality.
The 6-foot-4, 316-pound Fusco was a late bloomer in the world of football, taking up the game in his junior year at Seneca Valley High School. By his senior season, he was "built like a pencil," weighing just 240 pounds.
"I wasn't really into sports that much," Fusco said on a conference call after being drafted by the Minnesota Vikings with the 172nd overall pick in the NFL Draft last weekend. "Sophomore year, [I} didn't really do nothing and football just kind of came to my attention.
"I always watched it on TV and I sometimes got into a pissed off mood so I wanted to get out on the field and take my frustrations out on people. Started football and started it my first year and just really loved the sport."
Fusco's only Division I offer came from Youngstown State as a walk on. Instead, the Cranberry Township, Pa. native opted for Division II Slippery Rock, where he slowly morphed into an NFL prospect.
Fusco started 44 games in the pivot for The Rock, amassing 332 knockdown blocks over his career in Western Pennsylvania while allowing only four sacks, none of them in his senior season.
Fusco was honored as a first-team All-America pick after his final college campaign and was Slippery Rock's offensive MVP, an almost unheard honor for a center at any level.
"I think I was the heart and soul of our offense," Fusco said. "I took a lot of pride in our team and the team looked up to me a lot when times were rough. Slippery Rock, everyone means a lot to me and I took a lot of pride in football."
Perhaps, his most significant accomplishment, however, was catching the eye of numerous NFL scouts at the Senior Bowl and the NFL Rookie Combine thanks in large part to his unpleasant disposition.
"I think I get it from my dad. He has a temper on him," Fusco said of his surly attitude on the playing field. "I mean I'm not like a pissed off kid but people piss me off and I like to take it out on people on the field.
"I played good at the Senior Bowl. I could have played a lot better but I think what really opened a lot of people’s eyes was the combine. I had really good numbers and I really showed a lot."
Some draft services rated Fusco as high as a third round pick but he ended up being taken in the sixth round by the Vikings, a team intent on building an offensive line that has been hit by age and injuries over the past few seasons.
"I figured I would be drafted, I just didn't know where. It was a waiting game for me," said Fusco.
The scouting reports say Fusco has the requisite size and toughness to play in the NFL but perhaps not the athleticism.
"I disagree with that," the big man said. "I think I have the athleticism to play any position in the NFL, the guard, tackle, or center. Evidently the Vikings liked me a lot."
The current starter at center in Minnesota is former Notre Dame star John Sullivan, a competent player who struggled with a series of calf injuries in 2010. His backup is ex-Oklahoma All-American Jon Cooper, an undersized player who excels in the mental part of the game but has trouble moving the pile.
"You have two centers right now in Sullivan and Cooper," Fusco said. "I'm going to be coming in and competing with those guys and I feel confident in my game. I think if I just learn the system, get used to this level, I think I can be pushing for a starting job soon."
Fusco will probably need a year or two of development in Minneapolis to handle the rather large jump in competition but with sound and patient coaching, he looks to have a considerably higher ceiling as a player than the Vikings' other options.
"I just love football and I'm just excited about being a Viking and starting my career," Fusco said.
A consistent energy level would serve the Flyers well
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| Bruins G Tim Thomas |
PHILADELPHIA (The Phanatic Magazine) - When the obituary is finally written on the Flyers 2010-11 season, I'm sure it will have a familiar ring to it.
The organizations's inability to obtain a top-tier goaltender is certainly worthy of exploring but it's a little like beating a dead horse. For whatever reason the Philadelphia brass thinks its assets in the salary cap era are better spent in other areas.
That argument was bolstered last season when the Flyers almost won the Cup with the pedestrian Michael Leighton as their netminder.
To me, the bigger problem with this unit is the lack of energy and urgency until their backs are against the wall.
You saw it '09-10 when Philadelphia fell behind Boston 3-0 before storming back to win. You saw it against Buffalo in the first round this year when the Flyers stumbled to a 3-2 deficit against a vastly inferior team and needed a Game 6 overtime win just to survive. And you saw it over the over the weekend when the Orange and the Black did its best sleepwalking impression in a 7-3 drubbing at the hands of the Bruins in Game 1 of the East semis.
Monday was going to be a little different. All over the country, a patriotic fervor erupted when President Barack Obama announced late Sunday night that a brave group of Navy Seals had killed al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden in Pakistan.
The Wells Fargo Center was jumping with the type of jingoistic fever I haven't seen in Philly since Sgt. Slaughter battled the Iron Sheik in a Boot Camp Match across the parking lot at the Spectrum.
Peter Laviolette calls it "jam" and there was enough jam in the building to jack Eeyore up.
“That was pretty cool," budding Flyers star James van Riemsdyk said of the atmosphere . "Obviously being an American and playing in a city like Philadelphia, one of the most prominent American cities is pretty cool and the fans were unbelievable. They are so passionate about a country and our sports and to hear that it was pretty special.”
Perhaps it was apropos that van Riemsdyk, one of the few Flyers from the United States, scored two goals before Boston could blink an eye. After all, JVR was born in North Jersey and one of his best friends lost his father to the terror on 9/11.
The jam, at least some of it, dissipated, however, It always does and the Flyers stopped attacking, letting Tim Thomas settle in. Goals by the Bruins' Chris Kelly and Brad Marchand evened things by the end of the first period.
What looked like it was going to be a run-and-gun affair reminiscent of George Gervin's Spurs vs. David Thompson's Nuggets turned into a defensive stalemate.
Brian Boucher had to leave for the last 7 1/2 minutes of the second period with a hand injury before returning to start the third. The embattled Sergei Bobrovsky kept the Flyers in it, however, by stopping all six shots he
faced.
Philadelphia should have won in the third when they peppered Thomas with 21 shots on goal, a franchise record for any period of a home playoff game. JVR was a monster and Danny Briere had the best opportunity of all in the last five seconds of regulation but fanned as the puck bounced over his stick while he was looking at an open net.
The jam was back for the extra frame and Philadelphia responded early, buzzing Thomas again and again but the likely Vezina Trophy winner was spectacular. In the end he stopped 52-of-54 shots before David Krejci silenced the crowd at 14:01 of overtime.
"As the game went on I was just trying to work hard and to build to get myself into the game," Thomas said. "By the time the third period rolled around I was starting to feel really good. Fortunately I was feeling good at the right time because they got some shots and some opportunities and kept me busy for the third period.”
“He was pretty good in there tonight," van Riemsdyk added when talking about Thomas . "I think it’s just a matter of us bearing down on those second chances. That’s all we can really do.”
Krejci's blistering one-timer appeared to hit the back pipe but was initially waved off. The play was reviewed at the next whistle and replay clearly showed the puck hit the rear brace of the net before ricocheting back into play, giving Boston the win and a 2-0 lead in the best- of-seven series.
"I wanted to get a good one-timer and it worked," said Krejci. "I thought it was in but then they kept playing so I just wanted to finish up on the shift and then the ref took a look at it and it was in.”
As the set shifts to Beantown it's clear that the Flyers don't know what they will get between the pipes on any given night. It's clear the power play is woefully inconsistent and Chris Pronger is down again.
About all they can pack for the short trip up I-95 is their energy level and that sense of urgency that seems to only show up when needed.
"We try not to worry about that," van Riemsdyk said when asked about the latest hole that the Flyers have dug for themselves. "We are just worrying about one game at a time and that’s all it takes to win. We are down 2-0 now but if we take it one day at a time, one game at a time and I think we will be in good shape.”
Monday, May 02, 2011
On the NBA: Randolph, Grizzlies far from content
By John McMullen,
PHILADELPHIA - One school of thought had the Memphis Grizzlies showing up in Oklahoma City as a content team, a fat cat ready for a nap after swallowing a canary.
After all, the Grizzlies arrived in OKC for Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals on Sunday less than 48 hours after the most significant accomplishment in franchise history.
The little engine that could stunned a San Antonio team that totaled 61 victories during the regular season, won the Southwest Division title, and went into the playoffs as the No. 1 seed in the West.
The conductor piloting the Grizzlies train and sending the Spurs scurrying for tee times was none other than Zach Randolph, the dominant power forward that poured in a franchise postseason record 31 points and pulled down 11 rebounds in Memphis' Game 6 clincher against San Antonio.
The big man saved his best for when it counted most, scoring 17 of his points in the fourth quarter of that one, knocking down 6-of-8 shots from a variety of locations on the floor in the 99-91 Grizz win.
Memphis, which came into the playoffs this year with an 0-12 all-time mark in the postseason, became just the second No. 8 seed in NBA history to topple a No. 1 in the first round since the best-of-seven format was instituted.
"Not a lot of people knew about us coming in, but we certainly have made some noise, turned some heads, and got some attention that probably wouldn't have been given to us if we lost this series," Grizzlies head coach Lionel Hollins said after taking the Spurs. "We would have been just another eighth seed losing to the No. 1 seed. I'm pleased with the way it turned out."
I'm sure Randolph was also pleased but he proved anything but satiated, exploding again in Game 1 against the Thunder, posting 34 points and 10 rebounds in the Grizzlies 114-101 win. The Indianapolis-area native, knocked 12-of-22 shots and made all nine of his free throws en route to breaking his own franchise postseason record for points that was less than two days old.
"He's a good player," Thunder head coach Scott Brooks understated when talking about Randolph. "We have to limit his touches and make the ones that he does get, tougher. We have to crowd the paint."
Oklahoma City superstar Kevin Durant was more effusive in his praise.
"You can't stop him," the NBA's scoring champion said. "We've got to make him shoot tough shots but even when he missed he'd be there to get his own rebound and the tip-in. He's an animal. I think he's the best power forward in the league."
In the opening round, Randolph tortured future Hall of Famer Tim Duncan to the tune of 21.5 ppg and 9.2 rpg. The only thing that slowed him down was foul trouble.
Things figured to be tougher against the Thunder, a much younger team that can throw defensive-minded center Kendrick Perkins at Randolph as well as weakside shot-blocking terror Serge Ibaka. The only thing that changed Sunday, however, was who the Grizzlies' 6-foot-10 big man was tormenting.
Perhaps the most underrated "star" in the game, Randolph is not only a daily double-double threat these days, he's virtually an automatic double-double, a bull in the china shop on the blocks.
You can virtually forget stopping "Zebo" when he gets position on the entry pass and he has teamed with Marc Gasol to give the Grizzlies the NBA's best interior offense.
Few gave Memphis much of a shot against the up-and-coming Thunder, widely regarded as the best young team in the league but the Grizzlies were 3-1 against Oklahoma City in the regular season and have already found a way to swipe home-court advantage in Game 1.
And its Randolph that has turned the dumb and happy No. 8 seed into a disagreeable, dissatisfied bunch that doesn't seem to understand it's not supposed to belong.
PHILADELPHIA - One school of thought had the Memphis Grizzlies showing up in Oklahoma City as a content team, a fat cat ready for a nap after swallowing a canary.
After all, the Grizzlies arrived in OKC for Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals on Sunday less than 48 hours after the most significant accomplishment in franchise history.
The little engine that could stunned a San Antonio team that totaled 61 victories during the regular season, won the Southwest Division title, and went into the playoffs as the No. 1 seed in the West.
The conductor piloting the Grizzlies train and sending the Spurs scurrying for tee times was none other than Zach Randolph, the dominant power forward that poured in a franchise postseason record 31 points and pulled down 11 rebounds in Memphis' Game 6 clincher against San Antonio.
The big man saved his best for when it counted most, scoring 17 of his points in the fourth quarter of that one, knocking down 6-of-8 shots from a variety of locations on the floor in the 99-91 Grizz win.
Memphis, which came into the playoffs this year with an 0-12 all-time mark in the postseason, became just the second No. 8 seed in NBA history to topple a No. 1 in the first round since the best-of-seven format was instituted.
"Not a lot of people knew about us coming in, but we certainly have made some noise, turned some heads, and got some attention that probably wouldn't have been given to us if we lost this series," Grizzlies head coach Lionel Hollins said after taking the Spurs. "We would have been just another eighth seed losing to the No. 1 seed. I'm pleased with the way it turned out."
I'm sure Randolph was also pleased but he proved anything but satiated, exploding again in Game 1 against the Thunder, posting 34 points and 10 rebounds in the Grizzlies 114-101 win. The Indianapolis-area native, knocked 12-of-22 shots and made all nine of his free throws en route to breaking his own franchise postseason record for points that was less than two days old.
"He's a good player," Thunder head coach Scott Brooks understated when talking about Randolph. "We have to limit his touches and make the ones that he does get, tougher. We have to crowd the paint."
Oklahoma City superstar Kevin Durant was more effusive in his praise.
"You can't stop him," the NBA's scoring champion said. "We've got to make him shoot tough shots but even when he missed he'd be there to get his own rebound and the tip-in. He's an animal. I think he's the best power forward in the league."
In the opening round, Randolph tortured future Hall of Famer Tim Duncan to the tune of 21.5 ppg and 9.2 rpg. The only thing that slowed him down was foul trouble.
Things figured to be tougher against the Thunder, a much younger team that can throw defensive-minded center Kendrick Perkins at Randolph as well as weakside shot-blocking terror Serge Ibaka. The only thing that changed Sunday, however, was who the Grizzlies' 6-foot-10 big man was tormenting.
Perhaps the most underrated "star" in the game, Randolph is not only a daily double-double threat these days, he's virtually an automatic double-double, a bull in the china shop on the blocks.
You can virtually forget stopping "Zebo" when he gets position on the entry pass and he has teamed with Marc Gasol to give the Grizzlies the NBA's best interior offense.
Few gave Memphis much of a shot against the up-and-coming Thunder, widely regarded as the best young team in the league but the Grizzlies were 3-1 against Oklahoma City in the regular season and have already found a way to swipe home-court advantage in Game 1.
And its Randolph that has turned the dumb and happy No. 8 seed into a disagreeable, dissatisfied bunch that doesn't seem to understand it's not supposed to belong.
Soul set to hold practice on Market Street
By John McMullen
PHILADELPHIA (The Phanatic Magazine) - The Philadelphia Soul are set to hold the first ever professional sports team practice on the streets of Philadelphia.
The 16th and 17th blocks of Market Street in Center City will be closed on Thursday, May 5 from noon to 1 p.m. in order for the team to hold a walkthrough practice prior to its home game against the Jacksonville Sharks on Friday, May 6 at the Wells Fargo Center.
Mayor Michael Nutter, former Governor Ed Rendell, Soul Co-owner and former Eagle-great Ron Jaworksi, head coach Mike Hohensee, the 2011 Soulmates and the entire team will be on hand.
PHILADELPHIA (The Phanatic Magazine) - The Philadelphia Soul are set to hold the first ever professional sports team practice on the streets of Philadelphia.
The 16th and 17th blocks of Market Street in Center City will be closed on Thursday, May 5 from noon to 1 p.m. in order for the team to hold a walkthrough practice prior to its home game against the Jacksonville Sharks on Friday, May 6 at the Wells Fargo Center.
Mayor Michael Nutter, former Governor Ed Rendell, Soul Co-owner and former Eagle-great Ron Jaworksi, head coach Mike Hohensee, the 2011 Soulmates and the entire team will be on hand.
Flyers try to rebound in Game 2
By Dan Di Sciullo
After getting pummeled on home ice in the opener of the best-of-seven Eastern Conference semifinals, the Philadelphia Flyers will try to bounce back when they host the Boston Bruins in Game 2 tonight at Wells Fargo Center.
The Bruins jumped all over the second-seeded Flyers in Saturday's Game 1, pounding the home club by a 7-3 score. David Krejci led the way for third- seeded Boston with two goals and two assists.
Although the Flyers came back from a three-games-to-none deficit to eliminate Boston from last spring's conference semis, Philadelphia does not want to fall further behind in this year's series.
"I don't what it is," said Flyers Danny Briere. "The past couple of years it seems we need adversity to start playing better. This needs to be an eye opener because we'll be done in a hurry if we keep playing that way."
Although the Bruins suffered four straight losses in their historic meltdown in the 2010 conference semis, Krejci hasn't been a part of a Boston loss against Philadelphia in the last two postseasons. It was a big turning point in last year's series when Krejci suffered a broken wrist in Game 3 and sat out the final four tilts of the conference semis.
Brad Marchand added two goals and a helper for the Bruins on Saturday. Marchand is another player who did not skate for Boston in any of its losses to Philly in last year's playoffs. He played in 20 games during the 2009-10 regular season, but was a healthy scratch for the entire conference semis.
Marchand held on to his rookie status this year and notched 21 goals and 20 assists in 77 games for the Bruins.
Nathan Horton, Mark Recchi and Gregory Campbell also tallied in Game 1 to back 31 saves from Tim Thomas, who was the backup to Tuukka Rask in last year's playoffs before taking his starting job back with a stellar 2010-11 campaign.
"Each game you have to do it again. What you've done in the past doesn't matter. The next game starts over," Thomas said.
Boston went 0-for-5 on the power play on Saturday and has yet to score a goal on 26 opportunities with the man advantage in this year's playoffs.
Briere, James van Riemsdyk and Mike Richards scored for the Flyers, who failed to build on momentum from Tuesday's Game 7 home win over Buffalo.
Briere's tally was his NHL-leading seventh of the playoffs. He also has 95 points (42 goals, 53 assists) in 94 career playoff games.
Brian Boucher, who was heralded for winning all four games of his club's first-round series with Buffalo despite constant uncertainty in net, was shelled for five goals on 23 shots in Game 1.
"As a goaltender, I'm responsible for stopping the puck," Boucher said. "It's always a wake up call to come out. It seems to be one of the last things coaches can do, instead of yelling at the guys or taking a timeout. That's the way it goes."
Sergei Bobrovsky allowed two scores on 10 shots in relief, but Boucher will start Game 2.
The Flyers are hoping to get Jeff Carter back at some point in this series, but he will miss Game 2. Carter, who led Philly with 36 goals in the regular season, suffered a sprained right MCL in Game 4 of the Buffalo series and hasn't played since.
Philadelphia was a seventh seed last year when it pulled off the amazing comeback against the Bruins, and the Flyers went on to win the Eastern Conference title before losing in six games to Chicago in the Stanley Cup Finals. This year, the Flyers are a second seed and entered the postseason as Atlantic Division champions.
Boston has also improved its seeding from a year ago, as the Bruins were a sixth seed in 2010, but gained the third spot in the East after winning the Northeast Division.
This is the sixth all-time postseason encounter between the Flyers and Bruins. Philadelphia has won three of those series and last year's meeting was the first playoff battle between the clubs since 1978.
The Flyers had a 22-12-7 record as the host this year, while Boston was 24-12-5 as the guest.
Philadelphia is 2-3 on home ice in this year's postseason. The Bruins, who will host Game 3 on Wednesday and Game 4 on Friday, are 3-1 as the visiting club in this postseason.
After getting pummeled on home ice in the opener of the best-of-seven Eastern Conference semifinals, the Philadelphia Flyers will try to bounce back when they host the Boston Bruins in Game 2 tonight at Wells Fargo Center.
The Bruins jumped all over the second-seeded Flyers in Saturday's Game 1, pounding the home club by a 7-3 score. David Krejci led the way for third- seeded Boston with two goals and two assists.
Although the Flyers came back from a three-games-to-none deficit to eliminate Boston from last spring's conference semis, Philadelphia does not want to fall further behind in this year's series.
"I don't what it is," said Flyers Danny Briere. "The past couple of years it seems we need adversity to start playing better. This needs to be an eye opener because we'll be done in a hurry if we keep playing that way."
Although the Bruins suffered four straight losses in their historic meltdown in the 2010 conference semis, Krejci hasn't been a part of a Boston loss against Philadelphia in the last two postseasons. It was a big turning point in last year's series when Krejci suffered a broken wrist in Game 3 and sat out the final four tilts of the conference semis.
Brad Marchand added two goals and a helper for the Bruins on Saturday. Marchand is another player who did not skate for Boston in any of its losses to Philly in last year's playoffs. He played in 20 games during the 2009-10 regular season, but was a healthy scratch for the entire conference semis.
Marchand held on to his rookie status this year and notched 21 goals and 20 assists in 77 games for the Bruins.
Nathan Horton, Mark Recchi and Gregory Campbell also tallied in Game 1 to back 31 saves from Tim Thomas, who was the backup to Tuukka Rask in last year's playoffs before taking his starting job back with a stellar 2010-11 campaign.
"Each game you have to do it again. What you've done in the past doesn't matter. The next game starts over," Thomas said.
Boston went 0-for-5 on the power play on Saturday and has yet to score a goal on 26 opportunities with the man advantage in this year's playoffs.
Briere, James van Riemsdyk and Mike Richards scored for the Flyers, who failed to build on momentum from Tuesday's Game 7 home win over Buffalo.
Briere's tally was his NHL-leading seventh of the playoffs. He also has 95 points (42 goals, 53 assists) in 94 career playoff games.
Brian Boucher, who was heralded for winning all four games of his club's first-round series with Buffalo despite constant uncertainty in net, was shelled for five goals on 23 shots in Game 1.
"As a goaltender, I'm responsible for stopping the puck," Boucher said. "It's always a wake up call to come out. It seems to be one of the last things coaches can do, instead of yelling at the guys or taking a timeout. That's the way it goes."
Sergei Bobrovsky allowed two scores on 10 shots in relief, but Boucher will start Game 2.
The Flyers are hoping to get Jeff Carter back at some point in this series, but he will miss Game 2. Carter, who led Philly with 36 goals in the regular season, suffered a sprained right MCL in Game 4 of the Buffalo series and hasn't played since.
Philadelphia was a seventh seed last year when it pulled off the amazing comeback against the Bruins, and the Flyers went on to win the Eastern Conference title before losing in six games to Chicago in the Stanley Cup Finals. This year, the Flyers are a second seed and entered the postseason as Atlantic Division champions.
Boston has also improved its seeding from a year ago, as the Bruins were a sixth seed in 2010, but gained the third spot in the East after winning the Northeast Division.
This is the sixth all-time postseason encounter between the Flyers and Bruins. Philadelphia has won three of those series and last year's meeting was the first playoff battle between the clubs since 1978.
The Flyers had a 22-12-7 record as the host this year, while Boston was 24-12-5 as the guest.
Philadelphia is 2-3 on home ice in this year's postseason. The Bruins, who will host Game 3 on Wednesday and Game 4 on Friday, are 3-1 as the visiting club in this postseason.
Collins finished second in NBA Coach of the Year voting
PHILADELPHIA (The Phanatic Magazine) - The Sixers' Doug Collins finished as the runner-up to Chicago rookie head coach Tom Thibodeau in the race for NBA Coach of the Year.
Collins piloted Philadelphia to a 14-game improvement and a return to the playoffs where the Sixers lost to the Miami Heat in five games. Thibodeau, meanwhile, guided the Bulls to the best regular season record in the NBA and a No. 1 seed in the playoffs.
The NBA made the announcement Sunday, one day before Thibodeau's Bulls were set to begin their second-round playoff series against Atlanta.
Thibodeau garnered 76 of 119 available first-place votes and earned 475 points overall from a panel of sportswriters and broadcasters. Collins finished with 18 first-place votes and 210 points.
San Antonio's Gregg Popovich finished third in the voting and Denver's George Karl was fourth. Portland's Nate McMillan and Miami's Erik Spoelstra were the only other coaches to earn first-place votes.
Collins piloted Philadelphia to a 14-game improvement and a return to the playoffs where the Sixers lost to the Miami Heat in five games. Thibodeau, meanwhile, guided the Bulls to the best regular season record in the NBA and a No. 1 seed in the playoffs.
The NBA made the announcement Sunday, one day before Thibodeau's Bulls were set to begin their second-round playoff series against Atlanta.
Thibodeau garnered 76 of 119 available first-place votes and earned 475 points overall from a panel of sportswriters and broadcasters. Collins finished with 18 first-place votes and 210 points.
San Antonio's Gregg Popovich finished third in the voting and Denver's George Karl was fourth. Portland's Nate McMillan and Miami's Erik Spoelstra were the only other coaches to earn first-place votes.
Sunday, May 01, 2011
Flyers talk the day after Game 1 setback
Courtesy of the Philadelphia Flyers
Flyers Center Claude Giroux
Q: Were the guys pretty quiet this morning?
“Well I mean you got to turn the page. If you lose 1-0 in overtime or 7-3, I think in playoffs that’s what’s so great about it, you just got to turn the page and get ready for next game.”
Q: Ed Snider was here this morning; did he say anything to you?
“No not yet. I saw him walk around when we had meetings, so we didn’t have time to talk to him.”
Q: When you see him walk around, does that grab your attention? He is one guy who definitely cares about his team.
“Well he cares for sure. He is always around, always after games comes into the room and shakes guys’ hands. He is always happy. I think he believes in us for sure.”
Q: Do you take that responsibility a little heavier when there’s an owner that’s hands on like that?
“Well anytime you see someone important like that, that cares so much, it obviously helps your motivation and want to play for a guy like that.”
Flyers Defenseman Sean O’Donnell
Q: How would you describe the mood of the team this morning?
“We are upbeat. We are optimistic. I think to have success you need to have a short memory in this game, whether it’s a good game or a bad game. I think guys were more dejected and bummed out after the game. But you get a chance, you go home and you sleep on it. You wake up the next morning and there is nothing you can do about it. You got to get ready for Monday’s game. I think the guys are ready to come and atone for yesterday afternoon and hopefully tie this thing up 1-1.”
Q: Is it easier to bounce back after the team is embarrassed and not much is needed to be said?
“I think you are dead on there. It’s funny, the first game against Buffalo we lost 1-0. The guys were optimistic because we felt like we had outplayed them and the chances were heavy in our favor. We just ran into a hot goalie and we lost. We said we don’t have to change a whole lot. We can just keep doing what we are doing. We couldn’t say that after game 1 against Boston. We also feel optimistic because it was very uncharacteristic. We were very sloppy in our end. I thought Boston played a good game. We had made a lot of mistakes, blown coverage and things that were very uncharacteristic of us. We feel like that can be fixed so we are ready for tomorrow.”
Q: Do you worry about the team’s effort at this time of year?
“Like I said, it’s one at a time. Yeah I don’t think that was acceptable, our effort last night and our execution. But that game is done. Whether it was a double overtime loss, a shutout, or 9-8, we didn’t win the game. We have to put that one behind us and move on to game 2. I think one of the strengths of the team is when we have had an effort like that we usually bounce back and respond. I think this team will do the same thing tomorrow night.”
Q: Did you get a strong indication from yesterday about the physicality of this series?
“I don’t think it was an overly physical game yesterday. People finished their checks. It’s only been one game, but I thought there was a little more chippyness and chirping and that kind of stuff and big hits in the Buffalo one. But it has only been one game. It also takes a lot away when it is 5-1 halfway through the game. It kind of takes some of the steam and momentum out of both teams. They kind of play a little differently. I don’t think we got a chance to really hate one another yet. I expect it to be a physical series as we move on.”
Q: Some players called last night an eye opener, did you get the feeling that some players were shocked from last night?
“Yeah I think after the game the guys were kind of like ‘what just happened?’ We didn’t play the way we wanted to. We had a lot of blown coverages. But I think other than the tip-in goal off the faceoff, the first 5 that [Boucher] was on for, were all rebound goals. They got inside of us and we didn’t have good coverage. I think that’s what is pretty uncharacteristic of our team. There are a proud bunch of guys in here so we are ready to respond.”
Q: David Krejci said last night that a lot of the Flyers mentioned his injury last year and that kind of motivated him. Are there times when it’s just better to let a sleeping dog lie?
“You get certain players. I think anyone who has gotten to this level has a sense of pride. I wasn’t here and can’t comment on what happened last year. But I read about how he supposedly struggled in the first round and he certainly made up for that last night. I don’t really buy that kind of stuff about be careful what you say, don’t wake a guy up, you don’t want to do this because most guys at this level, if it takes another team to say something to you or whatever. I think most guys motivate themselves and not have someone kind of stir them to wake them up. We didn’t execute last night and they did. We need to make sure we get it back.”
Flyers Center Danny Briere
Q: You said last night that game had to open some eyes, do you get that feel this morning?
“Yeah it wasn’t a lot of fun. We realized how bad we played and how made mistakes we made, how many brain cramps we had yesterday. There are a lot of things we needed to rectify.”
Q: Is it easier to bounce back from a game where everyone knows what went wrong compared to a 1-0 game where you thought you played well?
“Sometimes we talk about an eye opener. Sometimes it makes you realize the effort need to be at its highest. You can’t afford to take it easy and hope that somehow you will still be in the game. What I am hoping is that everybody had their worst game at the same time and that we can move on and start playing better. We can’t just go in to the next game hoping to win, like we did yesterday, we have to believe that we can win.”
Q: Is it a concern that effort is a question at this point of the year?
“I don’t think it was really effort. I think it was brain cramps. There is a difference between effort and making the wrong decisions. I think those are the few things we need to rectify, the few mistakes that we usually don’t let happen.”
Q: Was that a product of the Bruins doing some things you didn’t expect?
“Not at all. We knew. We were well prepared in that department. We just didn’t execute. That’s why we got into so much trouble. We know they have a big team and are going to be physical. Sometimes even against smaller team we never made those mistakes that we made last night. Sometimes it good to watch tape and realize how many bad things you did, which we did this morning.”
Q: The high stick by Chara wasn’t called. What happened there?
“I don’t think it was intentional. He was battling with someone else in front of the net. But the thing with him is that every time he battles he always has his stick is always in the air. At the size he has, I don’t think he needs to do that. You are supposed to be in control of your stick. But it happened, like I said it wasn’t intentional on his part.”
Q: Did it get you on low or high in your head?
“On the side. It was on [the right] side of the head.”
Q: Do it reach a point where you say how many times can we reach into the well and battle back?
“Not at all. I think we seem to play better when we are under pressure and forced to find some desperation for some reason. I wish we wouldn’t have to go there all the time, but for some reason this team seems to play better in those situations.”
Q: When does that kick in? Does it start tomorrow night?
“I hope it does. Two home games like that, you don’t want to waste both of them. We have to use that energy from our building to our advantage more.”
Q: Is it something to see Ed Snider walking around practice?
“It’s pretty cool. That’s why he is considered one of the best owners in any team sport. He is very passionate. He loves his team, loves his players. It’s pretty cool to see him.”
Soul get back on winning track in Iowa
DES MOINES, Iowa (April 30, 2011) – The Philadelphia Soul (2-5) defense forced four turnovers – scoring on two – and held off the Iowa Barnstormers (2-5) to secure the 76-62 road victory in front of 8,103 fans on Saturday night at the Wells Fargo Arena. The Soul, who snapped a five-game losing streak, posted a season-high 76 points in the victory – the most points in a regular-season game since April 21, 2008 when they defeated the Columbus Destroyers, 76-55.
“We still have some areas for improvement, but it was nice to get the victory,” said Soul head coach Mike Hohensee. “We capitalized on the turnovers and we were able to overcome our mistakes late in the game. For a team that really hasn’t had the advantage the home crowd, this was a much needed and satisfying win.”
Philadelphia QB Ryan Vena, who earned National Guard MVP, finished by connecting on 20-of-30 passes for 317 yards, eight touchdowns and one interception. Leading the receiving corps for the Soul was Keith Stokes with 11 receptions for 159 yards and three touchdowns, while Syvelle Newton had four receptions for 85 yards and three touchdowns and Donovan Morgan added three catches for 45 yards and a touchdown.
Philadelphia’s DeJuan Alfonzo had two total tackles, a fumble recovery and a 39-yard interception return for a touchdown. Tanner Varner, who earned Riddell Defensive Player of the Game, added eight total tackles and an 8-yard interception return for a touchdown, while Brandon Perkins and Jeffrey Fitzgerald each added sacks.
Iowa got on the board first when QB Brad Banks found WR Todd Blythe on a 23-yard touchdown to take a 6-0 lead. Philadelphia answered on a 49-yard pass play from Vena to Stokes to take a 7-6 lead. The Soul capitalized on a Barnstormer fumble when Vena found Stokes again on a 14-yard scoring strike to end the first quarter with a 14-6 advantage.
The Soul outscored the Barnstormers 27-21 in the second quarter on Vena scoring strikes to Ty Nsekhe (17 yards), Morgan (24 yards) and Newton (10 yards) and led at halftime, 41-27.
The offense kept clicking as the Soul scored on their first possession of the second half when Vena hit Newton on a 28-yard touchdown pass to push the lead to 48-27. But the story of the game was defense as Varner intercepted Banks’ first pass of the next possession and returned it eight yards for a 55-27 lead.
Philadelphia, who has had fourth quarter troubles, got touchdowns from Stokes and Newton, while Alfonzo sealed the victory with his 39-yard interception return for a touchdown en route to 76-62 victory.
The Soul return home to host the Jacksonville Sharks on May 6 at 7:05 p.m. in Wells Fargo Center and will play four of their next five games at home.
Russell Offensive Player: Philadelphia’s Ryan Vena
Riddell Defensive Player: Iowa’s Brad Banks
JLS Ironman: Iowa’s Errick McCown
NiftyTV Playmaker: Philadelphia’s Keith Stokes
Cutter’s Catch of the Game: Iowa’s Errick McCown
Spalding Highlight of the Game: Philadelphia’s Tanner Varner’s 8-yard interception return for a touchdown.
“We still have some areas for improvement, but it was nice to get the victory,” said Soul head coach Mike Hohensee. “We capitalized on the turnovers and we were able to overcome our mistakes late in the game. For a team that really hasn’t had the advantage the home crowd, this was a much needed and satisfying win.”
Philadelphia QB Ryan Vena, who earned National Guard MVP, finished by connecting on 20-of-30 passes for 317 yards, eight touchdowns and one interception. Leading the receiving corps for the Soul was Keith Stokes with 11 receptions for 159 yards and three touchdowns, while Syvelle Newton had four receptions for 85 yards and three touchdowns and Donovan Morgan added three catches for 45 yards and a touchdown.
Philadelphia’s DeJuan Alfonzo had two total tackles, a fumble recovery and a 39-yard interception return for a touchdown. Tanner Varner, who earned Riddell Defensive Player of the Game, added eight total tackles and an 8-yard interception return for a touchdown, while Brandon Perkins and Jeffrey Fitzgerald each added sacks.
Iowa got on the board first when QB Brad Banks found WR Todd Blythe on a 23-yard touchdown to take a 6-0 lead. Philadelphia answered on a 49-yard pass play from Vena to Stokes to take a 7-6 lead. The Soul capitalized on a Barnstormer fumble when Vena found Stokes again on a 14-yard scoring strike to end the first quarter with a 14-6 advantage.
The Soul outscored the Barnstormers 27-21 in the second quarter on Vena scoring strikes to Ty Nsekhe (17 yards), Morgan (24 yards) and Newton (10 yards) and led at halftime, 41-27.
The offense kept clicking as the Soul scored on their first possession of the second half when Vena hit Newton on a 28-yard touchdown pass to push the lead to 48-27. But the story of the game was defense as Varner intercepted Banks’ first pass of the next possession and returned it eight yards for a 55-27 lead.
Philadelphia, who has had fourth quarter troubles, got touchdowns from Stokes and Newton, while Alfonzo sealed the victory with his 39-yard interception return for a touchdown en route to 76-62 victory.
The Soul return home to host the Jacksonville Sharks on May 6 at 7:05 p.m. in Wells Fargo Center and will play four of their next five games at home.
Russell Offensive Player: Philadelphia’s Ryan Vena
Riddell Defensive Player: Iowa’s Brad Banks
JLS Ironman: Iowa’s Errick McCown
NiftyTV Playmaker: Philadelphia’s Keith Stokes
Cutter’s Catch of the Game: Iowa’s Errick McCown
Spalding Highlight of the Game: Philadelphia’s Tanner Varner’s 8-yard interception return for a touchdown.
Union win on controversial penalty kick
CHESTER, Pa -- A trip across the country did little to alleviate the Earthquakes' offensive woes as San Jose fell to the Philadelphia Union, 1-0.
Sebastien Le Toux's penalty kick in the 77th minute proved to be the difference as the Union (4-1-1, 13 points) escaped with a victory despite playing more than half the contest a man down.
A first half marred by chippy play on the pitch at PPL Park turned the Earthquakes' (1-4-2, 5) way when Union defender Jordan Harvey was issued a red card in the 41st minute. Chris Leitch was interfered with by Harvey during an attempted tackle and did a nice job selling it, as his counterpart was sent off.
Before Harvey's ejection, the Earthquakes, who have scored just five goals in seven MLS matches this season, managed just one shot, a laser from well outside the area by Chris Wondolowski that went wide right.
Playing with a man advantage the rest of the way enabled San Jose to a take a few more chances and forced Philadelphia into more of a defensive shell.
The Union made a pair of defensive substitutions at intermission with an eye on keeping things conservative.
Despite the extra attacker the Quakes still had a difficult time generating pressure and weren't able seriously to test Union goalkeeper Faryd Mondragon, who recorded his fourth clean sheet in six matches this season.
San Jose goalkeeper Jon Busch was sharp as usual, stopping four Philadelphia shots and directing traffic in
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a very hostile environment. However, defender Jason Hernandez was whistled for a handball in the 76th minute on an innocent-looking crossing pass by Amobi Okugo well right of Busch near the end line.
"I went over and tried to make a tackle and break up a cross," a dejected Hernandez said. "I didn't see the ball, and I didn't make a play for it. I just tried to block the cross. I've played a lot of games, and that's the first time I've had that called against me."
Busch was incensed.
"This is my opinion, and I want to stress that because I don't want to be fined, but I think that was a makeup (for the questionable red card)," Busch said. "I have been around for a long time, and you don't make that call. I feel bad for Jason. He played his rear off."
Le Toux, an MLS All-Star last season, took advantage on the penalty kick and slotted his first marker of 2011 past Busch to send the Quakes to their third straight loss and extend their winless streak to five.
San Jose, which generated only six shots and one on net, also remains at the bottom of the Western Conference table.
"We had some chances, and we moved the ball well at times, but it didn't translate," Quakes coach Frank Yallop said. "You have to keep working and moving ahead. I saw some good things today."
Sebastien Le Toux's penalty kick in the 77th minute proved to be the difference as the Union (4-1-1, 13 points) escaped with a victory despite playing more than half the contest a man down.
A first half marred by chippy play on the pitch at PPL Park turned the Earthquakes' (1-4-2, 5) way when Union defender Jordan Harvey was issued a red card in the 41st minute. Chris Leitch was interfered with by Harvey during an attempted tackle and did a nice job selling it, as his counterpart was sent off.
Before Harvey's ejection, the Earthquakes, who have scored just five goals in seven MLS matches this season, managed just one shot, a laser from well outside the area by Chris Wondolowski that went wide right.
Playing with a man advantage the rest of the way enabled San Jose to a take a few more chances and forced Philadelphia into more of a defensive shell.
The Union made a pair of defensive substitutions at intermission with an eye on keeping things conservative.
Despite the extra attacker the Quakes still had a difficult time generating pressure and weren't able seriously to test Union goalkeeper Faryd Mondragon, who recorded his fourth clean sheet in six matches this season.
San Jose goalkeeper Jon Busch was sharp as usual, stopping four Philadelphia shots and directing traffic in
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a very hostile environment. However, defender Jason Hernandez was whistled for a handball in the 76th minute on an innocent-looking crossing pass by Amobi Okugo well right of Busch near the end line.
"I went over and tried to make a tackle and break up a cross," a dejected Hernandez said. "I didn't see the ball, and I didn't make a play for it. I just tried to block the cross. I've played a lot of games, and that's the first time I've had that called against me."
Busch was incensed.
"This is my opinion, and I want to stress that because I don't want to be fined, but I think that was a makeup (for the questionable red card)," Busch said. "I have been around for a long time, and you don't make that call. I feel bad for Jason. He played his rear off."
Le Toux, an MLS All-Star last season, took advantage on the penalty kick and slotted his first marker of 2011 past Busch to send the Quakes to their third straight loss and extend their winless streak to five.
San Jose, which generated only six shots and one on net, also remains at the bottom of the Western Conference table.
"We had some chances, and we moved the ball well at times, but it didn't translate," Quakes coach Frank Yallop said. "You have to keep working and moving ahead. I saw some good things today."
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