Round 2: Ottawa vs Philly

[Shell]

Friday, May 2, 2003
Hitchcock admits to 'dirty' fibs
By Bruce Garrioch, Ottawa Sun

PHILADELPHIA -- Flyers coach Ken Hitchcock came clean yesterday. He doesn't really think the Senators are a dirty team.

Hitchcock, who labelled the Senators as dirty after Game 2, won't apologize. He was just trying to fire up his boys in their playoff series against the Senators.

Hitchcock coached junior hockey in Edmonton and he had a close relationship with the Oilers GM/coach Glen Sather and current Senators GM Muckler, who were always using strategic head games.

Asked if he had made up his tirade against the Senators, Hitchcock fessed up yesterday.

"Was it contrived? Well, let's put it this way: There's a guy on the other side of the hallway (Muckler) who knows what exactly what I'm talking about. He's a master," said Hitchcock.

SATHER A 'MASTER'

"Believe me, (Muckler is) a master I've butted heads with as coach, but he learned from his boss who was also a master (Sather).

"When you do something like this, it can be fun and it can bide time in a playoff series."

Muckler had a good laugh and fired a shot Hitchcock's way when told of the response.

"That's partly complimentary, I guess. At least (Hitchcock's) got a sense of humour," said Muckler. "But I guess the next time he comes up with something like this he'd better stand in the front of the mirror and practise his speech a bit longer before going public with it."

TOGETHER AGAIN: The Flyers spent Wednesday in a downtown Philly hotel trying to promote togetherness. Hitchcock said he met "the band" 50 Cent during the short stay. Told by a reporter that "50 Cent" was an extremely popular one-man rapper, Hitchcock was surprised. "There's one guy in the band. I don't know, I saw them all and it looked like there were about 70 of them. I know one thing, they're loud because I could hear them practising all night."

[tommy]

Sheesh, Cechmanek has something like a 0.74 goals against average in the game after a loss this playoffs. 5-0, like guyute (I think) said.

Great game to watch if you like tight defense. It's hard to tell who has a decided advantage, though.

edit: lol, "the band" 50 cent... nice story.

[Shell]

I find it really amusing that the Ottawa Sun (http://www.canoe.ca/OttawaNews/os.os-05-03-0005.html) has a Long article about nothing but begging the fans to cheer at today's game. "Do it for your country" is pretty much how it reads.

"But it would also be great to see spontaneous standing ovations throughout the game and without prompting from the scoreboard operator." ... is there no chance of that without prompting from the newspaper?
_____

Good lord, I thought it was just the one.. all of their articles today appear to be about the fans needing to cheer!

"Fans, it's Your Time to shout"
"Ex Sens thankful for fans"
"Team looks to fans for advantage"
on and on it goes...

[Alicia]

Dang...LaPointe scores 21 seconds in...Flyers 1-0!

[Alicia]

Crap...Smolinski ties it up 1-1.

[StormShaman]

Alfredsson! Sens up 2-1!

[Alicia]

Double crap...Alfredsson makes it 2-1 Sens.

[RIO]

Ottawa's having fan issues? :crazy:

[Stormbringer]

Alfredsson! Sens up 2-1!

Woot! Go Sens!

[Alicia]

What in the hell has happened to Philly? Been watching some of the Ducks game (not going so well there, either, BTW).

[tommy]

Their penalty kill has sucked... OTT is 2 for 3 on the PP, both goals came within 15 seconds of the power play starting... and Cechmanek is his usual post-win self... they said that only once in his career has he won 2 consecutive playoff games... and Sami is blessing the Flyers with the same lack of ability to take an open shot from the point... made me laugh, actually. Ottawa is in total control.

[Shell]

The Flyers are flat. They just aren't playing well, Roman was atrocious before he was Finally pulled mid way through the second. I won't blame the score on the refs because the flyers aren't playing well, but one of those goals should have been called before the shot for too many men on the ice. There was another time that the Sens had too many men that was not called as well. I am apparently unaware of new rules regarding icing, as they are all being called against the flyers, but they waive most of the ones for the flyers, even if no one had a chance to get to the puck.

Flyers definitely did not come out hitting like they needed too, and now the Sens are kicking their ass physically as well (hope Handzus is OK).
No goals for the Sens against Esche, but this one can be written off I am guessing. I don't see them getting 3 or 4 goals against a stellar Lalime.

That's my take anyway.

[tommy]

That's true too... Lalime is incredible this game... every chance the Flyers get, Lalime is there to answer... the same couldn't be said of Cechmanek. As for the too-many-men non-call, I agree that it was a close call, and the Ottawa player took his time getting off the ice.

And my gosh, Radek Bonk is U-G-L-Y! (Not that I'm particularly attractive or anything.)

[RIO]

Well, THAT was interesting. I didn't expect Philly to take such a beating here. But it ain't over, folks. That's the good news, whether you pull for the Senators or the Flyers.

[hyena]

*sigh* philly's special teams sucked. roman sucked. the sens were playing mean. WTF? :mad: hopefully roman will bounce back like he usually does after a loss and philly will tie things up monday.

And my gosh, Radek Bonk is U-G-L-Y!
:eek2: alfredsson and chara are on that team and you single out bonk for being ugly? yikes! :D

[Shell]

OK, ugly game all around.. to continue on my ref tirade, I am not sure how Ottawa got to be on the power play after the Sens trainer sat and held JR's stick from the freakin bench :roll:

with the way Roman has been, this series screams rotating goalies.. after Roman wins one, why don't you put Esche in the next game.. least that way you will have a chance.

Ottawa is definitely not a team of pretty boys.. not like it matters.. however I just did a picture search on "Ottawa Senators" and this was one of the first hits:
http://www.lcshockey.com/issues/119/images/119alf.jpg

ah well, been a while since I saw standing room only in a penalty box.. hope the boys got the memo that while nary a whistle blew last game, there would be plenty today.. I love the consistency!

[RIO]

There were 5 Flyers in the box. :eek2:


ALF? :D

[tommy]

Even Sami got into a shoving match. But that's what the announcers were talking about.... with about 15 minutes to go, they started to talk about "messages to be sent" if it turned out to be a game heavily favoring Ottawa.

But it's been back and forth in this series, I think the Flyers can still pull it off.

[Stormbringer]

Ottawa is definitely not a team of pretty boys.. not like it matters.. however I just did a picture search on "Ottawa Senators" and this was one of the first hits:
alf pic

:eek2: How the heck did Alf come up in a search for the Ottawa Senators? Does this mean that the Sens are eventually going to do 10-10-220 ads, if they haven't done them already... (insert Twilight Zone theme here) :crazy:

[SouthernHockeyChick]

AAARRRRGGGHHHH!!!! Stupid in-laws come to town and my hockey world goes all to hell!! We taped the Flyers game so we could watch it tonight but now....I don't think so. I don't think I want to see it. :mad:

And why, WHY are there NO games tomorrow?? There was only one scheduled (NJ/TB) and now there are none....although I probably won't be able to get these people out of my house in time to see one if it were on anyway. :roll:

[Shell]

:eek2: How the heck did Alf come up in a search for the Ottawa Senators?

Not sure how it was one of the top hits.. it's a very strange page! http://www.lcshockey.com/issues/119/

It's from LCS Hockey, issue 119, April 28, 1999
The first thing I noticed was alf. The second was this:
http://www.lcshockey.com/issues/119/images/faces.gif

They have one story on the front cover and a bunch of links.. the story is (and remember from 1999)

First Round Update: Ottawa Outsville
by Michael Dell, Editor-in-Chief

The Ottawa Senators were the perfect guest. They were quiet, didn't make a mess, and left before you knew they were there. All are great qualities. Unless, you know, you're in the Stanley Cup playoffs.

And listen, this issue is really weak. I know it. You know it. Everyone knows it. But there were certain personal problems that limited its potential. Yeah, like I personally don't care anymore. So just take it in stride and maybe we'll be back with a better effort next week. Or maybe we won't. Never can tell.

And even though I realize this issue sucks, I don't think I need to see ALF reading a comic book instead. That's cold. Especially after all we've done for him...

Some of the other stories include:

Gary Bettman Speaks
Gary Bettman, everyone's favorite corporate weasel, took time out to speak with the NHL media recently. Here's what he had to say.
by Michael Dell, Editor-in-Chief
________
Rules Need a Changin'
Just in case you forgot, the punk-ass goal crease rule still blows.
by Wallace Hannum, Correspondent
_________
ESPN's Guide to Hockey
It's playoff time. Time for hockey commentators everywhere to annoy and, well, annoy.
by Howard Fienberg, Correspondent

[Jeff O Rocks]

Dang Sens...what the hell happened?? I didn't get to watch it!! :sad:

[nccanes]

Dang Sens...what the hell happened?? I didn't get to watch it!! :sad:

Missed it too. We were out of town for a soccer game. On a sorta-kinda related note, the opposing team had a small little fireplug kid, really rough, called for numerous fouls, but a tough competitor and playing with all he had. After the game we were talking about him on the ride home and one of my kids said "he was like a little Tie Domi and almost looked like him" and they other one laughed and said "I was just about to say that" and we all started laughing. (Poor kid ;) )

So a hockey-free evening. Well, we have to wean ourselves sometime - and maybe even have dinner that the dinner table instead of on our laps in front of the TV! :eek:

[Jeff O Rocks]

After the game we were talking about him on the ride home and one of my kids said "he was like a little Tie Domi and almost looked like him" and they other one laughed and said "I was just about to say that" and we all started laughing. (Poor kid ;) )

So a hockey-free evening. Well, we have to wean ourselves sometime - and maybe even have dinner that the dinner table instead of on our laps in front of the TV! :eek:

Oh lordy Eileen...did he beat up anyone when he was being penalized??? :eek: :D

I understand about eating in front of the tv.....I can't get away from it either..I still have finger sprain from switching the tv around between ESPN AND ESPN2.. :crazy: ..and eyestrain.. >> :eek2:

[Turbulence]

I still have finger sprain from switching the tv around between ESPN AND ESPN2

I wonder if you could hook up the clapper to that...
http://www.savontv.com/images/images175/the-clapper.jpg

[talkingcanes]

Dang Sens...what the hell happened?? I didn't get to watch it!! :sad:

basically, the Sens to it to them all game. Cechmanek was bad and the rest of the Flyers weren't any better. They were just outplayed from the drop of the puck IMO.

Go Sens :spin:

[folgersnyourcup]

http://media.phillyburbs.com/2003/05/04/0504flyers4.jpg


Chechmanek certainly seems to be keeping his cool after being pulled. As history shows (how he plays after a loss), he should have a great game 6. As for game 7? :crazy:

[Shell]

Chechmanek certainly seems to be keeping his cool after being pulled. As history shows (how he plays after a loss), he should have a great game 6. As for game 7? :crazy:

LOL, great pic.. and for game 7.. start Esche!

[Turbulence]

and for game 7.. start Esche!

Amen! Consistant goaltending is the key to success...and Cechmanek doesn't bring that. It's like the Detroit Joseph vs. Legace debate...only more extreme.

[tommy]

first of all, no way... start Roman... he is always excellent after a loss, and he's a part of their successes (he blanked ottawa twice this series)...

second of all, speaking of the flyers, in espn the magazine, this issue's cover story is smack talk, and patty roy had the best line i think i've ever heard, talking to jeremy roenick, in 1996.

roenick did some smack talk about patty, and patty fires back to the cup-less Roenick. "I can't hear Jeremy... all my STANLEY CUP RINGS are clogging my ears." classic smack.

[Shell]

yeah, but we're already counting on Cechmanek to win tomorrow's game 6.. no problem.. we're worried about game 7! ;)

[tommy]

ooooh i get it... hmm... tough decision there... let me sleep on it, mmkay? ;)

[SouthernHockeyChick]

second of all, speaking of the flyers, in espn the magazine, this issue's cover story is smack talk, and patty roy had the best line i think i've ever heard, talking to jeremy roenick, in 1996.

roenick did some smack talk about patty, and patty fires back to the cup-less Roenick. "I can't hear Jeremy... all my STANLEY CUP RINGS are clogging my ears." classic smack.

LMAO! Have to give it to Roy....that one was pretty good. :D

[Guyute]

ridiculously ugly game. reminded me of a canes game.

that's all I'm saying about that. it's done, over, history.

on to game 6.

[tommy]

reminded me of a canes game.

man, guyute... that's pretty harsh.

[Guyute]

man, guyute... that's pretty harsh.

was this season not pretty harsh? did we not show up with a total lack of interest for some games?

if I'm wrong, give me an example. otherwise, it was Exactly like some canes games we saw this season... which I've had enough of, and don't expect to see my flyers, in the 2nd round, in game 5, playing like.

[tommy]

i think you misunderstood me...

i was trying to say... was the flyers game really THAT bad??? lol, not the other way around!

[Guyute]

lol... ahhhhh... ok.

YES, it was THAT bad. :mad:

I'm still fuming. hence, no comments.

[crazy4canes]

Philly will be back with a vengeance in game 6. I'm sure this is going to 7 games. Fear not, guyute. Now if Cechmanek would just string together two good games (because I have no doubt he will start), Philly might have a chance. :crazy:

Honestly, I'd rather see Ottawa win because I believe they have the best chance to beat the Devils and the Devils must go down. JMO.

[RIO]

I was so amused by that picture of Roman blowing a gum bubble that I cut it out of the paper and saved it. :D That's a cool Czech attitude for ya....

[SouthernHockeyChick]

After that first period all I can say is....http://www.jordysworld.de/emoticons/wut94.gif

[tommy]

Well, um... that was... just wonderful.

Roman looked like an idiot on that second goal, he was already practically on his knees, no wonder he got beaten. The first goal was completely the defense's fault, though.

But hey, they can come back, remember the Molson Miracle? How about the First Union Frenzy?

[StormShaman]

That period was just brutal for the Flyers--it's like they didn't even care. :/

[hyena]

s&*t. i'm turning the TV off. :sad:

[Canesluver]

Oh, geez -- 4-0
I'm feelin' for ya, Guyote.

Shell -- I'm thinking you had the right idea. Cechmanek's not helping much, right now. . . . . . :sick:

Edited to add: okay, so it's 4-1, now -- but still. . . . . .

[StormShaman]

None of the Flyers are helping right now. :/

Though Handzus did score, so it's 4-1 now.

[SouthernHockeyChick]

FINALLY they score. But still...http://www.jordysworld.de/emoticons/wut92.gif

[Alicia]

Even with that Handzus goal, isn't this it if Philly doesn't win tonight? It doesn't look good....and Primeau needs to calm down!

[ausoleil]

Well, *I* am enjoying this, as Philly is a team I truly despise. I sat for years in Greensboro then the RBC and listened to the snide comments their fans made, and now, well, if the Sens punch four more in, all the better.

Besides, Primeau is a Flyer. 'Nuff said about that.

[Captain Slack]

Well, *I* am enjoying this, as Philly is a team I truly despise. I sat for years in Greensboro then the RBC and listened to the snide comments their fans made, and now, well, if the Sens punch four more in, all the better.

Besides, Primeau is a Flyer. 'Nuff said about that.

Ditto.

[ausoleil]

Far as I am concerned, rooting for Primeau is rooting against the Canes.

[SouthernHockeyChick]

Besides, Primeau is a Flyer.
So is Sami.

Far as I am concerned, rooting for Primeau is rooting against the Canes.
Was there really a need to go there? :roll:

I guess we'll be hearing that about Irbe next.

[Kat]

Far as I am concerned, rooting for Primeau is rooting against the Canes.

Well, some people on this board do have divided loyalties due to growing up elsewhere. I am not one of them in this case (my other team is Pittsburgh, so I have no love for Philly), but maybe we shouldn't be so quick to criticize those of us who feel that way. Just my $.02.

I also think that maybe that series with Toronto took more out of them than we can imagine.

-Kat

[Alicia]

Everyone here doesn't necessarily feel the same, ausoleil. At least not because of one player, jmo.

[nccanes]

I wonder how much Primeau endeared himself to the Flyer faithful with that ill-timed penalty decking Lalime. Yeah, I know the PP had ended before the Sens 4th goal, but just a whopping 5 seconds before.... :roll:

I don't hate the Flyers because of Primeau, I don't even hate the Flyers currently, but I'm sure Ausoleil is not alone in that regard....

[SouthernHockeyChick]

but I'm sure Ausoleil is not alone in that regard....
You can say that again. They are coming out of the woodwork on some other boards (and here too obviously since we haven't really had too much Flyer hating being expressed until tonight).

BTW.....GO FLYERS!!!!!

EDIT: And if you hate the Flyers that's fine with me....all I'm saying is don't tell me that I am being dis-loyal to the Canes if I like the Flyers.

[nccanes]

You can say that again. They are coming out of the woodwork on some other boards (and here too obviously since we haven't really had too much Flyer hating being expressed until tonight).


That's probably because there has been more vocal support for the Flyers.

I don't think there's ever consensus on which teams to "hate". Just ask Rio ;). It's all based on silly stuff we think is very important ;), said calmly now that the Leafs are off playing golf!

[talkingcanes]

I don't hate the Flyers. I don't like them either and hope Ottawa finishes them off. I don't like Primeau, but not because of his Canes "experience" since I wasn't much into hockey during that period. I just don't care for them as a team. I like Sami, but that's not enough reason for me to pull for Philly.

Hockey fans are a passionate bunch and have strong emotions. My strongest emotions are for the Canes and no other team will ever bring the same joy or heartbreak for me. I am enjoying the playoffs a great deal, but am not really invested in them in terms of strong emotion. I know that's not the case with everyone though.

[ausoleil]

My dislike of Philly goes back further than Carolina, further even than Hartford. It was borne of the days that I lived outside of Boston as a little kid and was a fan of the Bruins...

As far as Sami, I do wish him the best. Except when he comes to Raleigh to play against the re-tooled Canes.

The Flyers had a good run, but they will start to think about next year in about 45 minutes.

Finally...if you could read back to the pre-crash boards I picked Ottawa as the team I would like to see come out of the East. I just like their style of hockey and think they alone would have the best shot against whomever emerges from the West.

[SouthernHockeyChick]

And my connection with the Flyers goes back to before the Carolina Hurricanes even existed....so how does pulling for the Flyers make me anti-Canes? I don't get it.

If I were so inclined to say such things I might say that pulling for the Bruins is like pulling against the Canes (with all the history there between the Whalers and the Bruins). But I think we all, as hockey fans, probably have our own reasons for our allegiances.

If Ottawa had not ended up playing the Flyers I am sure they would have been who I was cheering for...but oh well. An old loyalty kicked in. And, IMO, no one should have to explain their loyalties when the Canes are not even playing.

[folgersnyourcup]

Horrible game by Philly. They just seem to be way out of their league here. The game could have been closer though if Chechmanek had shown up from the getgo.... I'm sorry, but I think that if Philly ever expects to make a legitimate run at the cup again they must get someone more consistent than Chechmanek. Oh good grief....... how pitiful to make it 5-1. I'm for the Senators but it's almost unbearable to watch Chechmanek.

[nccanes]

Horrible game by Philly. They just seem to be way out of their league here. The game could have been closer though if Chechmanek had shown up from the getgo.... I'm sorry, but I think that if Philly ever expects to make a legitimate run at the cup again they must get someone more consistent than Chechmanek. Oh good grief....... how pitiful to make it 5-1. I'm for the Senators but it's almost unbearable to watch Chechmanek.

I'm reminded of Tripp Tracey's numerous comments about Cechmanek not being strong and reliable enough to take a team deep in the playoffs.

[ausoleil]

SouthernHockeyChick, I have never forgiven Primeau for his holdout...and if you listen closely when he gets the puck in the RBC you will hear a chorus of many who are inclined to agree with that viewpoint.

And for what it's worth, I care not one whit about the Bruins.

Enjoy the last three minutes of your Flyer's season. They golf tommorow.

[StormShaman]

I like Sami, but that's not enough reason for me to pull for Philly.

Ditto.

And I pity the fool that says I'm anti-Canes because I'm cheering for the Canucks in these playoffs.

[StormShaman]

SouthernHockeyChick, I have never forgiven Primeau for his holdout

Have you forgotten that manglement put their foot in it too during that whole fiasco? Neither side was in the right in that whole shameful mess.

[tommy]

What a poor way to end the season. Kind of an erratic game. Cechmanek didn't live up to his post-loss potential. But I think OTT/NJ is going to be one hell of a series.

Havlat is an amazing player, if Ottawa goes all the way, he or Lalime could be Conn Smythe material.

[SouthernHockeyChick]

I have absolutely nothing against the Sens....after the financial problems they have had and the character they have shown I am glad to see them doing well. I just wish it had not been against the Flyers. But, Cechmanek didn't hold up and the rest of the team didn't want it bad enough, evidently. The Sens flat out out-played them.

Now...who I will be pulling for between them and NJ I'll have to get back to you on...after I have cooled off from being told by a Sens fan that I am not supporting my Canes. :mad:

[nccanes]

I'm not Ausoliel nor a mod, but perhaps this comment:

Far as I am concerned, rooting for Primeau is rooting against the Canes.

is misleading some of you. I took it to mean Auso would never be able to pull for a team that he plays for. I didn't take it as a slam against those that do pull for Flyers. He feels that strongly, but I didn't take it as a judgement. But that's just me.

There have been numerous players mentioned in that regard: "I can't pull for a team that [insert player's name] plays for".

And as far as management's handling of Primeau, it's obvious some people have decided who they felt was more at fault. They have a right to do that.

Anyway, game over. I bet Cechmanek feels as bad as Theodore did after the Canes/Habs series...

[talkingcanes]

Cechmanek had a tough game, no doubt, but 1 goal just wasn't going to be enough and the rest of the team couldn't find the net. (how sadly familiar does that sound :sad: )

The Sens had a lot to prove and the Leafs series caught up with the Flyers. There's only so much energy allotted to you before you wear out and the Flyers looked worn out.

[tommy]

Anyway, game over. I bet Cechmanek feels as bad as Theodore did after the Canes/Habs series...

Good analogy... I'm sure you're absolutely right.

[StormShaman]

I'm not Ausoliel nor a mod, but perhaps this comment:

Far as I am concerned, rooting for Primeau is rooting against the Canes.

(snip)

There have been numerous players mentioned in that regard: "I can't pull for a team that [insert player's name] plays for".

Yes, but saying "I can't pull for a team that [for example] Bryan Marchment plays for" isn't the same as saying "Cheering for Bryan Marchment is cheering against the Canes." The first is non-confrontational. The second is clearly confrontational.

Just my 1/50 of a dollar.

[nccanes]

Yes, but saying "I can't pull for a team that [for example] Bryan Marchment plays for" isn't the same as saying "Cheering for Bryan Marchment is cheering against the Canes." The first is non-confrontational. The second is clearly confrontational.

Just my 1/50 of a dollar.

Right, I agree. I just thought I'd chime in that I didn't take it that way, I took it like they couldn't bring themselves to cheer for a Primeau team.

Tough way to lose a series, that's for sure. Speaking of Primeau, wasn't it he that thought if they'd lost the Toronto series that the team would be dismantled/reorganized to some degree? Wonder if there's still some truth to that.

[SouthernHockeyChick]

Speaking of Primeau, wasn't it he that thought if they'd lost the Toronto series that the team would be dismantled/reorganized to some degree? Wonder if there's still some truth to that.
He definitely said that he thought he would be the first to go.

[Alicia]

That game pretty much made me feel sick. :sick: I sort of adopted Philly during their 7-game effort against Toronto. I'm not one of those who pulls/doesn't pull for a team based on one particular player or another; one player does not a team make. That said, good luck to Ottawa in the next round, IMO you're gonna need it.

[Cool Hand Luke]

Condolences to the Flyers fans, but I think the better team won. The Flyers were pushed to the limit against the Leafs and that might have been a factor, but this Ottawa team has matured and looks ready to give the devils all they can handle. I also agree that Chechmanek is not steady enough to go deeply into the playoffs, like what Tripp Tracy said. (who would have thunk he knew what he was talking about!). Hitchcock probably should have alternated goalies, ala Weekes and Irbe last year.

I'd like to pipe in a bit about Primeau since he has been interjected into this thread. He really burned my a$$ with his attitude during his holdout, not so much the holdout by itself. Every athlete has the right to holdout, but I specifically remember some comments made, like Raleigh never will be a hockey town, how the fan base stunk, and finally how he eventually refused to play for us no matter what we would pay him. Now, some of these things might have been true, but fans never like to hear them and I'll never forget them. What the holdout showed me was not only his poor attitude, but how stupid a move it was for him. He ended up forfeiting almost a whole year's salary and eventually signed with the Flyers for the same annual amount that he turned down with the Canes. He did get a longer contract, but we got Roddy, and talk about getting the better end of that deal!!

[RIO]

Well, I was pulling for Ottawa to win, but a little part of me was also wondering if a more physical team like Philly would be what the play-offs are needing since Toronto faltered. *Ponder ponder ponder.....*

[Jeff O Rocks]

I was very disappointed for Philly and for the way they played...WTF was Cechmanek doing at mid-ice and then fell down??? Oh well...I do feel bad for him...and the crowd was an embarassment...don't boo your team when you know it is over....have a little class like we did last year in Game 4..give them a standing O and let them know you appreciate them and the really good season they had! :roll:

sorry guyute..I know you are the most disappointed and sad! :sad:

[Turbulence]

Sens deserved to win after that one...

I think it would have been a bit closer with Esche in net for Philly. They needed a solid backstop, and Cechmanek wasn't it. He's just so dang streaky!

Better luck next year Philly fans. We feel your pain. :sick: :smoke:

[crazy4canes]

Well, my heartfelt condolences to those that were pulling for the Flyers. I was hoping for a better game. It's like the Flyers didn't even care. Maybe the Toronto series was finally catching up or they were dejected after game 5? Who knows.

Anyway, I got a warm fuzzy after the game as all the Flyers gathered around Cechmanek. JR seemed to really be trying to tell him that it wasn't his fault or something. Then the handshakes when Roman was talking to all his fellow Czechs. Great stuff. Reminds me of why I love this sport so much. :) Class individuals, these hockey players are. :spin:

[nccanes]

Okay, if you are a flyers fan you must have a sense of humor before you go here, but here's a rather funny slam on Cechmanek from BroadStreetBully.com. Click on his head...

http://www.broadstreetbully.com/index.shtml

There are some other clips, obviously some pissed Flyer fans.

:crazy:

[hyena]

*sigh* :sad:

http://us.news2.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20030506/capt.1052186461.senators_flyers_pxc112.jpg

[Canesluver]

He [Primeau] did get a longer contract, but we got Roddy, and talk about getting the better end of that deal!!

Agreed! We must never forget that point. :)

[Guyute]

sens were the better team. we were outplayed and outlasted. that's all there is to it.

hell, I picked the sens to be in the SCF's since before Christmas. was just hoping the flyers would pull it out.
but, Hitch said when he came on board, that it was going to take 2 years for his system to hit stride. which means... next year is the one.

as for ausoleil's comment....

that's the most assinine thing I've heard in a long time. Guess there's no reason to send off my hundreds of dollars for season tickets... seein's that I'm anti-cane now.

hate on any team you want... but don't tell people who they're cheering for makes them less of a canes fan. that crap makes me :sick:

nccanes- thanks for the link... but I'm certainly in no mood (yet) to visit bsb.

next series should be good. though I don't know who to root for... the sens who just wiped my flyers. or the devils, which would make me more anti-cane. ahhh decisions. :roll:

[canadianinmd]

However, I think the Flyers would have had a much better series with Ottawa if they were not tired.

They had just came off a long battle with the Leafs- a series that could have went either way. However, the Flyers did prove they deserved that series.

I think they played quite well but the energy just was not there to beat a powerhouse like the Sens.


Go Nucks

[Shell]

Ouch! (from Philly.com)

If goalie Roman Cechmanek isn't with the Flyers next year, what work should he look for?
Sanitation engineer - 22 votes (10%)
Department store mannequin - 89 votes (40%)
Pillsbury's chief biscuit taster - 62 votes (28%)
Grave digger - 51 votes (23%)

[Jeff O Rocks]

However, I think the Flyers would have had a much better series with Ottawa if they were not tired.



Panger was saying the same thing..he said he thought the fatigue from the Toronto series finally caught up with them!! :sad:

I was glad that the team did show Cechmanek some love...I know he felt like it was all his fault....the Flyers showed lots of class as they went through the hand shake line..lots of congratulations and good lucks exchanged!! Love to see that...coughshanahanandchelioscough!! :mad: :spin:

[Shell]

LOL, went to read the Ottawa citizen and their front page has this picture:
http://media.canada.com/scripts/locate.asp?id=20ce62c5-b502-4846-bb1a-334742ef8af6
and underneath it is a link that says "Gay marriage inevitable, Liberals told"
http://www.canada.com/ottawa/ottawacitizen/

[StormShaman]

ROFL!

[Shell]

You do have to feel bad about ending a season like that.. it was very sad. I understood the booing with about 6 mins left.. try to kick the team in the ass and get them to move.. however, I didn't think they were going to do it for the whole 6 mins (damn philly fans ;)) What a deflating, terrible way to end :cry: and yes, I even feel bad for Roamin CzechManic.
"I know. I heard what people say. They hate me," Cechmanek said [about the fans]. "I don't know why they hate me, hate our team. We do what we know."

[StormShaman]

"I know. I heard what people say. They hate me," Cechmanek said [about the fans]. "I don't know why they hate me, hate our team. We do what we know."

Awww. :sad:

[Stormbringer]

LOL, went to read the Ottawa citizen and their front page has this picture:
and underneath it is a link that says "Gay marriage inevitable, Liberals told"
http://www.canada.com/ottawa/ottawacitizen/

ROTFL!! :D

[Guyute]

Roman does, and has- since he's been there, take the brunt of the blame. it's not all his fault. flyers didn't score a PP in the entire series. that's not his job. hope he doesn't have a mental breakdown one day...

and shell... philly fans boo. that's all there is to that. ;) though at the end of the game, the boos were being overtaken by cheers. it wasn't too bad. not all fans are the same... some will boo because they're team got knocked out (in an ugly game), some will cheer and thank the team for a great season... and mumble as they walk to the exits....

"next year".

[Shell]

There were cheering, but they were doing it while chanting "Let's go sixers"
It's just got to be a tough way to close the book on the season.

[Guyute]

well yeah, sure it does.

but, the players on philly teams know what it's like before they even sign. it's a tough town to play in. every fan is a coach, a gm. most people are loud, and don't mind telling you how they feel.

anytime you hear an interview with someone about "how do you like playing in philly", or "would you want to be traded to philly"... the athletes will say it's a very tough place to play. But, most of them love it because of that. point being, they know what it's like... and I doubt they'd expect any less.

[folgersnyourcup]

I really liked the way the Flyers players rallied around Chechmanek at the end of the game, specifically with the news reporters. Roenick particularly though several other players put in good words for him. Yeah, he wasn't great, and at times he stunk, but as one of the commentators said, when he stunk the whole team stunk. In his wins this series, both of them coming with a shutout, he stood on his head but the Flyers still salvaged a win despite not scoring any powerplay goals with some hard hitting play. But in the four Flyers losses this series I thought they were just horribly outplayed from top to bottom. I don't know what the Flyers should do.... They need to do something to improve their whole team. Perhaps next playoff season they won't have such a difficult first round though and have more energy? Is Esche a good backup? I don't think I've ever seen him start a game. Perhaps they should do a bit of goalie switching next post-season like the Wild do to avoid Chechmanek's history of streaky play in the playoffs?

I was pulling for the Sens in this series but that's certainly an absolutely crushing season-ending loss.

[RIO]

"I know. I heard what people say. They hate me," Cechmanek said [about the fans]. "I don't know why they hate me, hate our team. We do what we know."

Awww. :sad:

....bless his heart..... :cry:

[Alicia]

"I know. I heard what people say. They hate me," Cechmanek said [about the fans]. "I don't know why they hate me, hate our team. We do what we know."

Awww. :sad:

....bless his heart..... :cry:

For real...I really do feel badly for him. :sad:

[tommy]

That is so insanely stupid. We give our team a standing frikkin ovation after a round 1 loss, and they get booed because they missed the conference finals. It's okay to be upset, but it's not like it was an unsuccessful season. My goodness, can't they get a hobby or something?

[RIO]

My goodness, can't they get a hobby or something?

Yes, but the "Chillin' with Tommy" elective was all filled up. Me and the grumpy Flyers fans had to take woodshop instead. :beatup:

[tommy]

My goodness, can't they get a hobby or something?

Yes, but the "Chillin' with Tommy" elective was all filled up. Me and the grumpy Flyers fans had to take woodshop instead. :beatup:

::sticks out tongue:: :p

[Alicia]

May 6, 2003
Philadelphia Flyers are getting used to disappointing endings


By ROB MAADDI
Associated Press

VOORHEES, N.J.

The Philadelphia Flyers and their $57 million US payroll made yet another brief post-season appearance.

But this time, the coach won't get fired, no star player will take the blame, and the roster won't be overhauled. The Flyers are much more optimistic entering this off-season than others recently.

"We're not that far away, but there's a step we have to take to get to the top of the heap," coach Ken Hitchcock said Tuesday.

His first season in Philadelphia ended Monday night with a dismal 5-1 loss to the Ottawa Senators in Game 6 of their second-round series.

Hitchcock is Philadelphia's fifth coach since Terry Murray was fired after the Flyers were swept by Detroit in the 1997 Stanley Cup final. Hitchcock has better job security than his predecessors.

When he was hired, team chairman Ed Snider promised his coach would serve at least his entire four-year contract. Snider didn't back off that statement after the Flyers lost to the Senators.

"I feel we made great progress this year," Snider said. "I'm very excited about our coaching staff. I think Hitchcock did an outstanding job turning this franchise around and putting us in the right direction. And it's just going to get better and better. I see no reason why it won't."

The underachieving Flyers lost in the first round of the playoffs the previous two years.

This season, they finished the regular season with 107 points, one less than Atlantic Division-champion New Jersey and only six fewer than the Senators, who led the league. And then Philadelphia knocked out the Toronto Maple Leafs in the first round of the playoffs.

Ottawa is stockpiled with younger players that have played together for several years and are emerging into stars. The Flyers have several aging stars making a lot of money that are no longer producing at the same level they once did.

John LeClair ($9 million) scored just two goals in the playoffs. Jeremy Roenick ($8 million) had three. Tony Amonte ($6 million) had one.

"There are older players who have to accept a lesser role for us to improve," Hitchcock said, not mentioning names. "If we do that, we can get better. We can't catch Ottawa if we continue to use people in the same roles. Roles have to change. You can't base it on dollars. Sometimes people have to take a different role to help the team win. It's the reality of where you are in your career."

The Flyers do have a solid nucleus of young talent, including forwards Simon Gagne and Justin Williams, centre Michal Handzus and defenceman Kim Johnsson. And they have the benefit of Hitchcock, a coach who has won a Stanley Cup, leading the Dallas Stars to the 1999 title.

"We're on the right path, heading in the right direction," captain Keith Primeau said. "There's a lot of positives for this franchise to build on."

[Shell]

Posted on Wed, May. 07, 2003

Flyers of future to have an accent on youth
By Tim Panaccio
Inquirer Staff Writer

Changing assignments, lesser roles and more dependence on youth.

That was Flyers coach Ken Hitchcock's three-pronged theme yesterday during "breakup day" following the Flyers' ouster in the second round of the playoffs by the Ottawa Senators.

"We have to deal with the reality of where players are in their careers," Hitchcock said.

And that reality is this: The Flyers are an aging, if energetic, club with splices of youth. Their core veteran group of forwards Jeremy Roenick, Tony Amonte, Keith Primeau, Mark Recchi and John LeClair averages nearly 33 years of age.

Their six defensemen used against Ottawa average almost 30 years of age. And that group didn't include 33-year-old Eric Desjardins, who was hurt.

The forthcoming collective bargaining agreement, the huge contracts the Flyers' forwards each have, and no-trade clauses all limit what this team can do to get younger and faster.

Hitchcock is proceeding as if today's roster is the same that will be seen come September, though acknowledging that there will be some changes.

"There are young players who have top-end talent that we need to work hard on developing," he said, speaking of Simon Gagne, Justin Williams, Radovan Somik and Eric Chouinard.

"We can't get a lot better and catch Ottawa if we continue to use the same players in the same roles here. We have to change a bit. People have to accept less. We have top-end young people who need to have a bigger bite out of this team."

Hitchcock used 31-year-old Primeau, who was marvelous in a checking-line role, as an example of a veteran player who made an adjustment to a different role from scorer to checker. He said Recchi (35) and LeClair (33) need to follow that lead "for us to move ahead."

"A bigger factor is how we develop our younger players in the next two to three months," Hitchcock said. Then he added bluntly: "I don't think, quite frankly, we are going to get any better with our older players. They are who they are right now."

Hitchcock's solution is to change roles so that the veterans have lesser roles while the younger players are pushed harder to make that next step. Gagne was expected to be a major impact player this season, but recurrent groin injuries kept him from achieving that next level.

Hitchcock expects that a healthy Gagne and Williams will deliver next season.

"There is a time for players to improve, and you put them into that situation and demand improvement," the coach said.

The defense. Hitchcock expects more youth to come from changes on the defense within the organization. Everyone expects last year's top draft pick, Joni Pitkanen, to be signed. He was sensational in Europe this season, and his lateral quickness is exactly what the Flyers' defense lacks. Jim Vandermeer and Dennis Seidenberg are expected to have greater roles.

"We have three or four young defensemen who have to come in now and have a huge bite," Hitchcock said, if the Flyers are to add speed and mobility on their back line to give them a greater push on teams like Ottawa.

General manager Bob Clarke has to decide whether to re-sign Desjardins or pursue unrestricted free agent Derian Hatcher, who wants to play for Hitchcock, according to sources close to Hatcher. At least one defenseman has to go from the group that includes Chris Therien (31), Eric Weinrich (36) and Dmitry Yushkevich (31) to make room for change.

Desjardins said again yesterday that he wants to come back. The Flyers have no room to re-sign him and Yushkevich, who played the entire Ottawa series with a separated right shoulder.

Special teams. Hitchcock said he and his coaching staff "did all right" in this area. This was the only time yesterday when the coach seemed to be less than candid.

The coaching staff failed miserably on special teams. Craig Hartsburg was hired specifically to fix the power play. The team changed players and it still didn't work. The penalty killing improved steadily, then fell apart in the Senators series.

"It's an area that over the course of the summer we have to take a hard look at," Hitchcock said.

The goalie.Hitchcock conceded that goaltender Roman Cechmanek panicked under pressure, and the coach wants some answers as to his frame of mind.

It only takes one bad game to lose a playoff round. Cechmanek had bad games and bad goals, but the team's defensive breakdowns in front of him were every bit as catastrophic.

"He has to take a step back and evaluate his own performance in the playoffs," Hitchcock said. "I am curious after a month or so after we talk again where he is at on the learning curve. I think what happened to Roman happens to a lot of goaltenders who go through mounting pressure of people watching, where the goalie becomes the focus point of trying to win a series against a significant opponent. I think he succumbed to that pressure."

Cechmanek has to "look in the mirror" and be accountable and make a commitment to change his ways, the coach added.

You'd be hard-pressed to find a scout who thinks the Flyers can win with Cechmanek. He's too unpredictable, they say.

"I want to ask him questions and want him to be candid about why there were times when it got so wacky," Hitchcock said. "There were some very highlight-film, 'you've got to see this' goals that went in. I want to have those conversations with him and I want candid observations back. If he can figure out why, then we've got a really good situation."

If not?

"Then I will be very disappointed," Hitchcock said.

[Alicia]

Monday, May 12

GM Clarke: I don't think he wants to come back

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Associated Press


VOORHEES, N.J. -- Flyers goaltender Roman Cechmanek probably will not return to the team following a disappointing finish in the playoffs.

"I think it'll be very difficult to bring Roman back,'' general manager Bob Clarke said Monday. "I don't think he wants to come back. I think he feels it's not a good place for him.''


Cechmanek was 33-15-10 with a 1.83 goals-against average in the regular season, helping the Flyers finish just one point behind first-place New Jersey in the Atlantic Division.


But Cechmanek played poorly in the final two games of Philadelphia's second-round series against Ottawa, allowing nine goals on 46 shots.


The Czech native has a 1.96 lifetime goals-against average in three seasons, lowest among goaltenders with at least 150 regular-season games since 1943-44.


"It's an interesting situation with Roman,'' Clarke said. "He's runner-up for the Vezina (Trophy) one year, he's tied for the lowest goals-against in the league and his save percentage is always good, but his playoffs have been inconsistent.


"He shuts a team out one night, but when you get down to the nitty gritty and you let a soft goal in, it takes a lot out of your team emotionally.''


Cechmanek, whose unconventional style sometimes left him vulnerable to rebounds, has had ups and downs since becoming the Flyers' starter in 2001.


In the 2003 playoffs, he won his first playoff series in three tries by shutting down Toronto, giving up only four goals in the last three games. In the Ottawa series, Cechmanek had two shutouts before the Flyers fell apart in the last two games, losing 5-2 and 5-1.

[nccanes]

Interesting to read these article from the coach and gm so close together and sound somewhat different.

IMO, there is really no reason to be discussing this in the public eye at this point. Since they are, it leads you to believe they using the media themselves. Interesting.

[Guyute]

I had wished they would've kept Boosh instead of Roman. but oh well.

I agree... until he can get his head straight... he's not gonna be "the man". there's something about the pressure in the playoffs that just doesn't work for him. question is...... who do they go after?

please. PLEASE. don't take Irbe. lol
from a canes standpoint, I'd like to see us not foot his bill next season. from a philly standpoint... ugh. Please don't take Irbe. :eek2:

[Shell]

Cechmanek's agent defends client
Canadian Press
5/13/2003

PHILADELPHIA (CP) - Peter Svoboda, the Edmonton-based agent for Roman Cechmanek, denies he told GM Bob Clarke that the Flyers goalie did not want to return to the team next season or that he was unhappy playing in Philadelphia.

Clarke said during his annual post-season news conference Monday that it would be ``very difficult to bring Roman back.''

``I don't think he wants to come back,'' said Clarke. ``Talking to his agent, I think he feels that (Philadelphia) is not a good place for him.

``He's still under contract but the agent doesn't feel that he wants to come back.''

Svoboda says Clarke called him last Friday.

``He said the situation on the team with fans getting on him is maybe not a desired situation,'' Svoboda told the Philadelphia Inquirer from Prague. ``I said, `I agree with you, Bobby, maybe this is not a desirable situation,' and I told him I would speak to (Cechmanek).

``But I never told him that Roman did not want to come back. And, in fact, Roman told me that he had a good conversation with (coach Ken Hitchcock), that he liked Philadelphia and that he wants to come back.''

The Flyers were eliminated in the second round of the NHL playoffs by Ottawa. Clarke said Cechmanek was inconsistent.

``We'll try and trade him, that's for sure,'' Clarke said.

Cechmanek signed a three-year, $10-million US contract in January 2002. He's to earn $3 million next season and $3.5 million the following season.

He was 33-15-10 with a 1.83 goals-against average last season. He has a 1.96 GAA in three seasons, lowest among goaltenders with at least 150 regular-season games since 1943-44.

Against Ottawa in the playoffs, Cechmanek had two shutouts.

``I know they made him look silly on some of the goals they scored on him but Ottawa has the players who can do that,'' Svoboda told the Edmonton Journal. ``Did the Flyers think Roman would have to get four shutouts for them to win?

``Can't the team win two games on their own. I know I'm biased but I'm also right.''

Said Clarke: ``He shut them out twice but let in some soft goals, and when you give up goals at the wrong time, players lose confidence.''