Scenes From a Tough Loss

Just a few notes on the Flyers' 2-1 loss to the Capitals on Thursday night...

• The home team did a great job staying out of the box, tallying just 4 PIM. Still, penalty calls against the team accounted for a 2-goal swing on the scoreboard, with the Caps scoring on a first period power play, and the Flyers having what would have been the game-tying goal wiped out by a penalty called on Mike Knuble.
• Speaking of which, I don't remember the last time I heard a louder "Asshole" chant. The goal light went on, the Pennywise started up, and the place went nuts. 2-2. Then it became clear that it was nullified, and most people thought Knuble was called for goalie interference, which hadn't been called on an earlier play in which the Caps had a goal immediately called off because Marty Biron was interfered with. The Caps weren't assessed a penalty, with the ref stating it was incidental contact (replay appears to confirm this), but seeing Knuble carted off, followed by the replay showing that he lightly pushed his defender, who flopped hard on the ice as the puck passed by Jose Theodore. The chants rained down for a few minutes, first "Assssshole," then "Hey Ref, You Suck!" Simon Gagne being hauled down on a questionable play by Alex Ovechkin during a breakaway didn't help matters for the zebras.
• Anyone else think booing Ovechkin every time he touches the puck is kinda lame? That kind of treatment should be reserved for true offenders, not just for any rival's superstar. 
• How sweet was this?
• Marty Biron played a great game, giving up only a power play goal and an Ovechkin rocket after a turnover behind his crease.

• The Flyers led in most statistical categories, including shots, faceoffs, hits, and (fewer) penalty minutes. They put up 38 shots, but the key stat (which sadly we don't have) was the number of missed shots they had. So many pucks seemed to sail high or wide, or trickle just outside the goal mouth.
• Two categories they didn't do so well in (other than goals-for): takeaways and giveaways. Lots of very poor passing on power plays and even strength.
• Fans of every sport in any city love to hate on obviously middle-of-the-road players. Special-teamers filling in on D, middle relievers, reserve infielders, etc... The dumbass behind me screamed at Andrew Alberts all night, as if not winning the Norris Trophy this season would somehow be a breach of his contract. Alberts, by the way, was even for the night and registered three hits in a game in which the Caps scored only twice. Not surprisingly, Arron Asham and Riley Cote were hearing it from this guy too. They are members of the fourth line. Out of four.
• Dan Carcillo is having a slow start at becoming a fan favorite, as he was held off the score sheet while Scottie Upshall netted his third goal since being traded to Phoenix. Gotta be hard for Carcillo, first being under the microscope because he's the guy the Flyers traded a popular player away for, and then Upshall starts tearing it up for the other team. One reason for Upshall's increased production is that he's averaging just under 5 minutes more ice time per game since joining the Coyotes.
• It's a relief to see that Danny Briere is likely healthy again. He got hit a few times, but got up without any issues after every one. Hopefully it lasts, and the funk the Flyers power play was in tonight doesn't.
• Up next is a weekend home-and-home with the Rangers, starting Saturday afternoon in Philly, and a game in Detroit on Tuesday.