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Reputation:98
Level:Superstar
Since:Nov 5, 2007
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I'll start this one peacefully before the hate takes over.
No doubt the Pens have a scary team. Lots of weapons, lots of talent, and for now, I'll offer lots of respect. I've posted before that this team was Soft, but you have to give credit where credit is due, and they've had a great playoff so far. I doubt I will get the Pens fans' respect in return. The ones that usually come trolling in here are the one-liner types that throw out the highly creative "Flyers suck"-type posts. Very intellectual.
This Flyers team though, they are pretty good, and taking the Habs apart game-by-game, should be a sign of a team that deserves to be here, not lucky. On paper, the Pens are obviously loaded with more talent, but we have some gamers that know how to compete and know how to win. Depth is are key, and hopefully Biron continues to be the Conn Smyth-calibur goalie he has played like to get us here.
I really hope the refs get it right this round. I say that as objectively as I can, because poor refereeing has been a common ingredient in all of these series. But if the BS 5 on 3s keep popping up for the opposition (now PIT), this will get ugly with Malkin and Crosby shooting on us.
I see a lot of predictions having us done by Game 5. Of course I disagree. This has the recipe for a Game 7 finish.
Go Flyers. This is the match-up we wanted! Now lets take it.
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Reputation:98
Level:Superstar
Since:Aug 1, 2007
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By no means am I taking this series lightly. This is going to be a knock down, drag out fight to the end. If its not I would be surprised. RJ, has had our number all year and I know he will be up for this series. And Biron is on fire.
Should be a great series. IMO the best series in the playoff to date. Good luck and let the trash talking begin.
GO PENS. Kick the Flyers A$$.
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Reputation:96
Level:Superstar
Since:Feb 26, 2008
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Anybody who has watched the Gagne-less Flyers in these playoffs knows how balanced and deep the team is. As long as we play tough, two-way hockey and Biron keeps his cool, there's no way this series is over in 5. I agree on those 5-on-3s, though. We must be close to setting a playoff record for them. Anyway, you can't win it if you're not in it. Go Flyers!
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Level:Amateur
Since:Mar 14, 2008
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This message has been removed by the administrator.
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Level:Amateur
Since:Mar 14, 2008
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This message has been removed by the administrator.
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Reputation:96
Level:Superstar
Since:Jan 29, 2008
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Lots of cocky p-burghers out there...clearly the smog and soot is getting into their brains and affecting logical brain function over there
they essentially get a bye vs. Ottawa and then beat the underachieving Rangers in the same amount of time as we beat the #1 seed...in the meantime we take out the hottest team and player in all of hockey
Pens in five is all over the place, oh well the tears will be even saltier when reality hits
HITS being the key word here cuz it will be real interesting to see how these "super" Stars react to 5 to 7 straight games of pummeling, something they have NEVER experienced
I caught some of the Pens/Rangers today and it looked an Olympic Exhibition Sport - Synchronized Skating - and they were calling penalties for poor grooming
Well get the 3 judges lined up in between the benches because a soccer game is going to break out the first time crosby gets hit and he goes louganis off the high dive, I have a feeling us Flyer fans are going to respect Ovechkin a lot more after this series, at least that guy took and gave some hits and only had one bad dive in seven games...
I can't wait to see Sid's playoff beard after this series---
FLYBOYS Destiny AWAITS
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Reputation:96
Level:Superstar
Since:Nov 26, 2006
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What scares me about this series is that the NHL is jerking off about the possibility of Crosby in the Cup finals....I am 100% sure that the Flyers will not get any calls again in this series and will be playing against the refs and the replay booth in Toronto. Prime example of how the refs and the NHL wants Pittsburgh in the finals was vs the Rangers in game 5, Drury gets high sticked to the face and cut, but not a single penalty is called let alone 4 minutes that should have been called. Then, low and behold with 1:45 left in the 3rd period of a tie game, Drury has his stick hit a Pen in the face, draw blood, and he goes to the box for 4 minutes...typical of how Pittsburgh has been protected all season long.
This will be a long battle and a physical one at that...Pittsburgh has so much fire power it is virtually impossible to stop them consistently on a PK, so these refs will determine the champion...if the refs call a somewhat fair game, I like the Flyers....if the refs call the game the way they have been, then the Pens will get every call and march on.
I am simply stating fact here guys, and the only people who disagree are Pittsburgh fans (so that must tell you something)
The Flyers have faced adversity vs Washington, when nobody wanted them to win because of the beloved Ovechkin....2nd round they faced adversity against Montreal/Canada and won in 5 games...i think we might have something here to give the mighty Pens and all of their diehard fans out there (for the past 2 years now!!!!)
a run for the Conference championship....
FLYERS IN 5...............because nobody is giving them a chance
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Reputation:98
Level:Superstar
Since:Nov 5, 2007
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Friday night is an awfully long wait.
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Reputation:96
Level:Superstar
Since:Jan 29, 2008
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yeah, I'm not quite following that...we played the 2nd night after the caps series...and its not like the west is still playing...couple of these trash talk threads could make the hundreds between now and then
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Reputation:99
Level:Superstar
Since:Sep 5, 2006
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Flyers in 7 !!!! wahoo!
a 1997 stanley cup rematch awaits vs detroit !
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Reputation:99
Level:Superstar
Since:Sep 29, 2006
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Do you really believe that there is a league wide mandate to give the Pens an unfair advantage? You are just already setting up your excuses. So how does that work? Does Bettman have a meeting with every official and let them know that he REALLY wants Crosby in the final? Come on, did you ever think that the Pens have some of the most dynamic offensive players and that is why they draw penalties? When Sid or Geno have been eating your lunch it is easy to loose composure and obstruct them. If you look at the power plays in each series it is really pretty balanced, not sure why everyone cries about the Penguins.
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Reputation:96
Level:Superstar
Since:Apr 6, 2007
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I really agree with you there, Steelerfan-Ben ... SOme people need to see a Consiracy everywhere they go.
There is No "Crosby Goes to the Stanley Cup" Mandate by the League, No Secret Organization of Referees who's goal is to make Crosby into a Stanley Cup Winner.
May the best team win .. and I hope it's the Flyers. Flyers in 6 is my call. Feel free to disagree.
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Reputation:96
Level:Superstar
Since:Jan 29, 2008
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we'll let the
DIVE-O-METER (see 8 threads down)
decide how much the refs interfere with this series...
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Reputation:99
Level:Superstar
Since:Sep 5, 2006
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lebron james, the 22 yr old face of the nba was in the finals last yr and it was the worst rated watched finals in the history of the league. having the 20 yr crosby in the finals may be good in some tv markets won't raise numbers a lot.
people just dont' watch the sport anymore. i do, of course, but i am a minority. alot of people won't watch bc of all the penalty calls. i think that's a little silly to drop a sport for that, but that's their choice not to watch.
Flyers in 7 - lets go flyers!
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Reputation:98
Level:Superstar
Since:Nov 5, 2007
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Steelersfan Ben,
I don't use the phrase "conspiracy" or think that Bettman approached referees individually. I know some other hockey fans (note - not just Flyers fans) have said this, some sarcastically, and some truly believe it.
I do think that the NHL, coming out of the year-long lock-out (still),... still rectifying TV coverage deals... still re-establishing their image... etc.,... is conscious of who their young faces are, and officials are more likely to be protective of them when games become extremely physical, based on a generalized, and yes, verbalized concern shared amongst NHL executives. This creates a serious debate: Understand the NHL's legitimate ideology of protecting their best "investments," or bitching that all players should be subject to the same treatment. You could make valid arguments for both sides given the timing of everything.
I think the personal feelings many Flyer fans take from this, is that we don't ever seem to qualify for that protective shield, regardless of its existence or not. Lindros, Primeau, Roenick, Gagne.... these are all Flyer players who were all side-lined by concussions, and when we see a player appear to get preferential treatment for the sake of avoiding "the big hit", we feel discriminated, because we never had it, and it cost us franchise players more than once, and currently with this team. Me personally, my thoughts are it is what it is. But because you and other Pens fans haven't gone through that to the degree we have, you see it as simply a complaint. And it is often over-used. But that doesn't mean there is no validity to it.
By the way, this is not all directed at you SF Ben, so I hope you don't feel like it was. Its more like you stumbled onto a big subject during a hockey-less week.
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Reputation:85
Level:All-Star
Since:Mar 10, 2008
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CKB19, I agree with you to an extent, but the players you described were more of a gritty type of player. They all are/were very good players, but they dished out as many hits as they took. I think the NHL was a little more lenient towards other players playing physical against them. It has been past and present practice. If Briere hits Rutuu from behind he probably gets a game misconduct but if its the other way around I think Rutuu gets a suspension. Same with say Crosby and Thorenson. Believe me, we watched Lemeiux have people draped all over him at times and he never had the shield so to speak. Lets just hope this series plays out that the better team wins and not because of injuries or stupid calls. I think this is probably the best matchup of the playoffs. Its Pretty even in all categories I think the pens have a slight edge in scoring, but the keys will be the Goaltending. I have watched all the Flyers games and sad to say I even rooted for them so we could meet in the conference finals. I think the calls by the refs were consistent with the way the called every game, BAD. That said may the best team win-GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO PENNNNNNNNNNNNNs
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