Eight minutes into the first period down at the Wachovia Center, the Flyers are up 2-0 over the Penguins on the strength of two power-play goals by Mike Knuble. There are few greater sights in the league than a man named Michel screaming like he might kill someone, and we've had the pleasure twice in two weeks. And what's the icing on the cake? Two shifts after the goal, Jason Smith beat the hell out of Ryan Malone, pummeling him with a few solid shots, then throwing him to the ice. Unfortunately, Danny Briere was tabbed for a 4-minute penalty for giving Malone some stickwork. A replay showed that Sid the Spoiled Kid Crosby lifted Briere's stick into Malone's face, but let's not get caught up in the details and all. Then I'd have to point out that after Knuble's second goal survived a video review, Don Koharski pointed to the center dot and gave Crosbaby a pat on the ass. I ain' lyin.
The Flyers killed off all 4 minutes, plus another Crosby-related stick call, which put them down two men for a bit. Hopefully the kills against a high-powered Pens offense will keep the Orange and Black motoring.
Update: The Flyers took the 2nd period off, letting the Penguins
get to within 1 and gain a lot of momentum, but they owned the 3rd.
Mike Richards and Kimmo Timonen each ended up 3 assists, and Marty Biron had a great game in net. Kimmo also added his first goal as a Flyer, as did Scott Hartnell (EN). The Flyers are the last NHL team to stand undefeated at home (5-0). Sidney Crosby may be great for the game because he's as talented as a
hockey player can get, but I'll never be a fan of someone who takes
that many dives and whines like a basketball player who didn't get a
foul call. He's learned a lot from Lemieux, but he'll never be as tough.
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