All posts tagged Philadelphia flyers

Top Ten Ingredients for a Stanley Cup Winning Team


What does it take?

What does a team require to win the Stanley Cup?

Defence, offence and great goaltending will allow a bunch of guys to carry a shiny, silver chalice to their home towns. Glory and benefits …

The single dudes? Put it this way … a Cup in hand saves nine lines …!

Married with a few kids in the back of the SUV? The Cup a place to store the kids. A crib annotated with signatures from past victories.

What most people do not know – there are a few intangibles that every team that has toted Lord Stanley’s Cup high above their shoulders has owned.

Here are the Top Ten Ingredients for a Stanley Cup Winning Team …

10. Red Bull in the water bottles.

9. Satin – lined jockstraps to make the ‘in-between’ shift moments that much more pleasurable.

8. Earphones with Scotty Bowman subliminal messages pumped every period.

7. A dart board with Alan Eagleson‘s photo on the dressing room wall.

6. Skates equipped with staples on the toe.

5. A goaltender who has never heard of the Philadelphia Flyers.

4. T- Shirts imprinted with Maurice Richard‘s eyes …

3. Free foil!

2. Eleven pictures of the Pocket Rocket ironed on the inside of every jersey.

and the number one ingredient?

1. A  fabric softener that not only leave clothes soft and comfortable –  a fresh and lasting fragrance as well …!

Puttin’ on the Foil! Want some …?

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by Rick Keene on May 17, 2012  •  Permalink
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Posted by Rick Keene on May 17, 2012

http://laforumdemontreal.wordpress.com/2012/05/17/top-ten-ingredients-for-a-stanley-cup-winning-team/

Spooky is as Spooky Does. The Man behind the Flyers’ Goalie Curse.


If a Flyers’ fan or player did not believe in goalie curses before – they sure do now!

In last night’s series ending loss to the New Jersey Devils, the way the Flyers went down in defeat was downright spooky. Scary. Hand – wrenching, white knuckles kind of stuff …

Hitchcock – ian …

For days, years and decades – Philadelphia iced a good hockey squad. A roster often unmatched, whether it was under the watchful eye of Ziegler through Bettman. Year after orange, black and white season – every player on the Philly roster poured their sweat and blood toward winning the Stanley Cup. Every player except whoever happened to be in between the pipes.

That’s not to say the padded ones did not try. Au contraire mes freres! The net minders gave their all.

Robbie Moore, the diminutive goalie from Sarnia, Ontario – putting all of his 5′ 5″ frame in front of hundred mile an hour snapshots in 1979. Posting an impressive 5-0 shutout in his Flyers’ debut. Moore went on to play four more regular season games with Philadelphia that season. He posted two shutouts and finished with a 1.77 G.A.A.

He would match his season total in games played in the post season. Unfortunately, his goals against soared to 4.03 and the Flyers’ were bounced in the second round by the Rangers.

Moore never to play goals in Philly again … Moore never to play in the NHL again …

Legend has it – Mr. Moore was prone to nerves. Tossing his cookies before, frequently during and occasionally after games. An anxious goalie makes a strange crease fellow. An anxious goalie makes a mess!

Was Moore victim number one of the curse … ? More importantly – who is responsible for the curse?

Curse History

The Flyers won back to back championships in the mid – seventies. One of the reasons, and a very big one – was the play of goalie Bernie Parent.

Parent backstopped a young, some say ‘ too violent’ Flyer squad to victory over the Boston Bruins in 1974 and the following season as well. Aside from this ‘championship roadblock’, the Flyers’ journey has been filled with many, often peculiar ‘bumps in the road’.

The Origin of the Curse?

The Curious Case of Michel Belhumeur

What’s in a name?

Everything if you happen to be have been in goals for the Washington Capitals during the 1974- 1975 and 75- 76 seasons. For part of it anyway…

Micheal ( Michel ), translated his play into a 0 – 29 – 4 record with a goals against average of 5. 34 during his two and only seasons with the hapless Caps. These stats made him part of hockey history and wrongly translated his name to what the goalie from Sorel, Qc must have felt; ‘ill humor’ in lieu of the direct translation; ‘ good humor’!

What does this have to do with the Flyers?

M. Belhumeur was drafted by the Flyers in 1969. He was their 40th overall pick. Following stints with the Quebec Aces, Charlotte Checkers and Richmond Robins – the 5’10″ Virgo was called up to the Flyers during the 1972-73 season.

In goals for 23 games, the rookie posted a respectable 9-7-3 record with an admirable 3.22 ‘rookie’ G.A.A. For his troubles, he was returned to Richmond for the following season and his career as a Flyer net minder was over.

The Philadelphia organization exposed Belhumeur in the 1974 expansion draft and he joined the Washington Capitals’ organization. According to reports – Michel was agitated with the Flyers for giving up on him. Were Michel’s temperament and subsequent ‘words’ responsible for a curse in Philly … ?

Maybe it was a combination of his and teammate Bill Clements’ departure to Washington?

The Origin of the Curse?

Bill Clement

Along with players such as Bobby Clarke, Bill Barber and Reggie Leach – Clement was an integral part of the Flyers’ championship teams. As one of the ‘Broadstreet Bullies‘, the Buckingham,Qc.native reached his potential during the 1974-75 season.

On the heels of a nine goal season the year before – Clement notched 21 goals as the Flyers picked up the Stanley Cup for the second straight year. Along with many of his teammates, Clement savored the win over the Bruins as his favorite and once more – along with several teammates, looked forward to a third straight Cup.

Clement never had a chance to fulfill his dream.

Like Bonhumeur; Bill ended up with the Capitals following the amateur draft. Clement was traded for the rights to Mel Bridgeman. In Washington, despite having his most prolific season, the
6’1″ bruising power – forward skated with a grudge against Kate Smith’s non- choirboys.

Could it really have been Clement who has cursed the goalies in Philadelphia? How could a man whose work consists of doing voice – over work and acting be the villain of Voodoo in the city of brotherly love? As one of the voices in the popular EA Sports’ NHL video games from 2006 inclusively to a Philadelphia Flyers’ seasoned broadcaster, surely he is in position to ‘reverse the curse’.

A curse Guy Lafleur’s former centerman in Thurso may have inadvertently placed on his alma mater when he was dispersed to Washington in 1975.

You see – Bill Clement started playing hockey at the age of eight.

As a goalie …

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by Rick Keene on May 9, 2012  •  Permalink
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Posted by Rick Keene on May 9, 2012

http://laforumdemontreal.wordpress.com/2012/05/09/spooky-is-as-spooky-does-the-man-behind-the-flyers-goalie-curse/

Whose Birthday Is It?


Just how old are you?

As we age and get older
Some saves become harder to do
But no one knows this near as much
As poor decrepit you

“How old are you” comes the question
And you simply let out a drawn out sigh
It’s not from a goal or a bad mood
It’s just so hard to count that high

If your age was a G.A.A
You would be an American League man
If your age was a bank account
You’d be the poorest in crease land

If your age was your save percentage
You’d be suffering from a stroke
If your age was the number of shots each game
Your team – a pretty old joke

If your age was your goalie pants size
No pads would ever fit
If your age was a back -up
He would be so slow he would get sh*t

But forty isn’t really all that old
You have way more future than you have past
Your body may be slowing down, that’s true
But, relax, your glove  was really never fast

 Happy Birthday Martin Brodeur!

( p.s Call Kid Mercury for your party ! )

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by Rick Keene on May 6, 2012  •  Permalink
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Posted by Rick Keene on May 6, 2012

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Why the New York Rangers won’t win the Cup and Rick’s Picks – Round Two


Require sound advice …? Need a shoulder to cry on …?

Rick Keene is the wrong guy!

Two wins and six losses with picks in the first round is a statistic normally reserved for a baseball pitcher with a bad defence behind him. ‘ The only way out is up ‘ to quote a hibernating bear.

Round One was filled with a couple of upsets, a lot of fights, more goals than an ambitious banker and an unpaid hooker ( oops was that out loud)?

How will round two play out and will Rick Keene redeem his integrity coupons …?

Eastern Conference Round Two

 Rangers          Capitals

Two teams playing the same type of hockey from polar opposite positions. The Rangers finished first – the Capitals seventh. The Rangers are not known for putting the puck in the net and rely on a four line sweep. Everyone is contributing and when there is a weakness – goalie Lundqvist shuts the Swedish door. Caps’ net minder Holtby is playing above his years and the rookie has enabled his squad to advance to round two.

Holtby cracking or Ovechkin awakening are the two factors that matter most. Ovechkin is a dormant animal and he will come alive if the fire in his eyes stays lit from his post – game interview after ousting the Bruins. The Caps have the edge with their superior scoring power. This ain’t Alfredsson’s team.

Capitals in seven.

   Devils                  Flyers

The Flyers will struggle to gain emotion after a spiritually draining victory over the Penguins. Philly goalie Bryzgalov will need to be on the top of his game early  as the Devils will be in top gear. If Bryzgalov cannot hold them off and the series heads to N. J. with the Devils up by a couple of games – the Flyers’ dream could end.

The Flyers have Claude Giroux and the forward appears on a mission to be included in the elite Crosby – Malkin club. Giroux will not let the Flyers sag too low and he can turn a game around with one shift as he did against Pittsburgh. The Flyers have too much depth and talent for the Devils to handle and Brodeur is not twenty years old anymore .

Flyers in Five

Western Conference

  Coyotes                  Predators

Can two teams with similar logos compete in the NHL? The answer is yes and no. One will be eliminated and in this case it will be the team with teeth in it’s logo that lives to bite another day. Unless …

Gary Bettman and his cronies own the Coyotes. H’owns …h’owns …

( Slapshot officiandos – you are welcome). If the Coyotes advance all the way to the .. gulp .. finals – Bettman will be howling all the way to the bank. Say it ain’t so Joe Murphy!

The Preds have the edge hockey-wise and goalie – wise, especially if ex – Hab Hal Gill is playing. The defencman’s experience in the playoffs is a gem in the treasure chest of Nashville‘s hunt for the Cup. A younger troupe also tilts the ice in Nashville favour and Pekka Rinne is that much better than Mike Smith. Rinne also has a much cooler name …! Uma – Pekka, Pekka – Uma …

Predators in Six

     Kings                        Blues

Once again – a regal battle between two squads that are equally – matched. Great coaching balanced by four great lines will get results. Both teams are long suffering Stanley – less skaters and their home crowds will attempt to hex the opposing teams.

Advantage to St. Louis for having Elliot and Halak in goals. Elliot will start and if he falters, Halak will be healthy enough to stop the Quick – need Kings.

St . Louis in Six

As I said; Rick Keene is the wrong guy …

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by Rick Keene on April 27, 2012  •  Permalink
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Posted by Rick Keene on April 27, 2012

http://laforumdemontreal.wordpress.com/2012/04/27/why-the-new-york-rangers-wont-win-the-cup-and-ricks-picks-round-two/

Monday Q-Tip ( or how I learned to stop worrying and love Gary Bettman)


Spent the weekend shopping?

Perhaps weaving in and out of alleys ….? Looking for your dog? Cat? Drunken hamster?

Maybe – the lusty music of Barry White played in the background as your fingers explored and caressed. Every vibration from the tune’s bass sending impulses through your fingertips and onto the keyboard as porn was being browsed.

Not to worry … Here is what you missed in the National Hockey League.

East is East – West is West

( and Raffi Torres will never forget ).

Raffia Torres will appeal his suspension of twenty- five games or won’t he? This is the question and have his chances increased since Chris Neal leveled Brian Boyle on Saturday night?

The Senator hit the Rangers’ Boyle with a very similar hit albeit not as bad as Torres’ on Hossa. Neal’s hit was the same as Max Pacioretty nailing the Penguins‘ Chris Letang … Max received a two game suspension and since Neil is a somewhat repeat offender ( was fined before ), Mr. Neal should receive five games if Shanahan and the league wish to be taken serious …

Whatever the outcome, a suspension or slap on the hockey glove – the decision will give Torres some leverage if he decides to appeal. The problem? Torres has been a bad, bad boy too often. He may have used all his ‘ get out of jail for free ‘ cards and cannot collect 200 million for passing go … Not this time.

Pittsburgh – Flyers Series

See what happens when a team does not listen to their Moms? Recall the saying: ‘ walk away … count to ten … ‘? How about the phrase; ‘ if your friend jumps off a bridge will you too …’?

The Malkin – led, Crosby – wannabe Penguins played hockey the Flyers’ way and lost. No ifs, ands or Bryzgalov’s about it. Following an inspiring attemp to come back from a 3 – 0 deficit, the Pens were too banged up emotionally and physically to beat their cross – state rivals. Penguin goalie Fleury was as bad as a goalie could get in the series and why his coach played him so often – is a mystery as deep as Scott Gomez’ stay in Montreal.

This series was a lot of fun and a dreaded sense could be felt throughout the Flyers’ home in the final moments even though the home team was eliminating their rivals. Nobody likes to see a good thing end. Whoever the Flyers’ opponents will be in the next round – it will take Philadelphia a few games to get pumped.

Bruins – Caps

If this series was named after a toy; a yo – yo would be suffice. These two teams trade goals and games like a hooker on a good night. The Bruins are resilient which makes Hab fans cringe and Bostonian’s nervous. For some reason, Boston excels when their backs are against the boards. A Washington upset seems unlikely as game seven plays out in the land of Bobby Orr. If ever was a time for Ovechkin to dispel the ‘ Crosby is king ‘ rumors – it is now or maybe never for Alexander the Great. Rookie Washington net minder Holtby has played with so much poise, Tomas Vokoun may find himself on yet another team come spring 2012.

Vancouver – L.A

The Canucks along with the Sedin Sisters won the Presidents Trophy. If the trophy had been named after John F. Kennedy – an assassination was carried out true to form. Goalie Robert Luongo was killed off as the starting net minder, Alain Vigneault may have been ‘ iced ‘ as the head coach and the entire city was left without a reason to riot.

Are the Canucks quickly becoming the Buffalo Bills or the Atlanta Braves of hockey? It appears an off – season shake up will be the task at hand. Just don’t say ‘ Quick ‘ too quickly to a Canuck right now …

Detroit – Nashville

Is it a surprise the Predators dismissed the Wings faster than a bouncer dissed a minor at a nightclub? Not really … Is it a surprise the high – powered Wings scored less than a pedophile millionaire in Thailand? How do you say yes in Swedish?

Datsyuk, Franzen and Zetterburg – three guys who every team would love to have. Trios amigos who were stopped in their tracks by an outstanding goalie named Rinne. The Predators are a good team yet their net minder threw everything aside when it counted most. The Wings are in transition, much like the Canadiens of 1980 inclusively … The veterans are aging and the youth are filling their baby bottles with experience.

Time will tell if the Wings will keep their fans equipped with octopi or if they will fade into Hab or Islanders land. Jimmy Howard is no Terry Sawchuk and has Mike Babcock’s act run old in the city of Motown…

San Jose – St. Louis

Another year, another team aside from San Jose will hoist La Coupe Stanley. Why is it – season after non – festive season, do the Sharks exit from the playoffs quicker than a patron at a fire – engulfed movie theatre?

The Boston Red Sox had the curse of the Bambino. The Cubs – the curse of the Billy goat. The Sharks? The curse of Doug Wilson …

Mr. Wilson was appointed the G.M of the Sharks in 2003. Mr. Wilson once played in Chicago as a defenceman. Mr. Wilson left for San Jose and the Blackhawks have since won the Cup. San Jose… ? Not so much … The city of San Jose should blow up a puck at center ice. Exorcise the demons that reside in Wilson’s office. Re – name the squad the San Jose Goats … Anything to keep San Josians coming back to the rink. After all, before Larionov – hockey was as transparent in Wilson’s land as Pierre Gauthier was in Montreal.

That’s it hockey fans from coast to coast …

Keep your sticks on the ice, lock up your cats and dogs and remember – don’t let your hamsters drive drunk!

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by Rick Keene on April 23, 2012  •  Permalink
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Posted by Rick Keene on April 23, 2012

http://laforumdemontreal.wordpress.com/2012/04/23/monday-q-tip-or-how-i-learned-to-stop-worrying-and-love-gary-bettman/

Everybody’s going Way Out !


And a-one and a-two!
There’s a place where I can go
And that’s where I wanna be
I’m sayin’ good-bye to you, good people,
For I’ve found a place for me!
(Yeah yeah yeaaaaaaah…)

Gonna go way out…WAY OUT!
That’s where the fun is, way out…WAY OUT!
That’s where the sun is, way out…
WAY OUT!

- The Way Outs

If Fred Flinstone could fast – forward to 2012 in a time car; one – his legs would be very sore and two – he would discover the NHL is filled with aliens.

Entire hockey teams behaving like men behaving badly and badly at that. Unlike anything hockey fans have witnessed since Kate Smith rallied the city of brotherly love to not love anyone in the mid – seventies. Bettman’s boys are losing it and losing it big!

Sidney Crosby fighting? Tossing his purse aside and demonstrating his frustration? Hey Sid! Remember the concussion that sidelined your industrious sideline career? If you keep this up – a Crosby coffin will be the most popular Penguin merchandise on sale at EBay.

Even former Penguin, Jaromir ( you gotta move like ) Jägr – has a few thoughts on the person who captains his old squad;

There is a lot of talk now about Sidney Crosby and what he’s been doing on the ice. Some give it a lot of thought, others less. And I am a guy who does not care at all, I take no notice. He does harm only to himself. But every man is different, perhaps this helps him get into the game and play better.

And why not?

The Penguins appear deader than an adolescence’s dream of pulling in Jessica Alba for a night. The Pens’ problems stem from a schizophrenic point of view. One Penguin team was successful – this one is not!

M&M ‘s Rule !

If Pittsburgh followed the rule of the M and M’s – they may have had a chance. They would not melt in any glove as they compete for the Candy … er … Stanley Cup.

Taking two candies between thumb and forefinger. Apply pressure, squeezing them together until one of them cracks like Bryzgalov’s ideas. That one is the loser. Eat the inferior one as soon as possible and the winner gets to go another round.

The black and gold and the red M&Ms are tougher. The newer blue ones from Winnipeg are genetically inferior.The blue M&Ms as a race – cannot survive long in the intense theatre of competition that is the modern candy and – Bettman’s world.

Occasionally, a mutation appears. A candy that is misshapen or pointier. Flatter than the rest. Almost invariably this proves to be a weakness, but on very rare occasions it gives the candy extra strength. In this way, the Maple Leafs continue to adapt to their environment.

At the end of the pack, there remains one M&M, the strongest of the herd. Since it would make no sense to eat this one as well, I pack it neatly in an envelope and send it to: M&M Mars, A Division of Bettman’s NHL, New York, New York 17840-1503 U.S.A.

Along with the strong M & M – I attach a note;

“Please use this M&M for breeding purposes.”

Theres a town I know where the hipsters go they call it Philadelphia
Twitch! Twitch!
And when you get an itch to do the Twitch in Philadelphia
it’s a twitchin’ town so I’ll see you down in Philadelphia
Twitch! Twitch!

-The Way Outs

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http://youtu.be/9alX0UJheV8
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by Rick Keene on April 18, 2012  •  Permalink
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Posted by Rick Keene on April 18, 2012

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Why the New York Rangers will not Win the Cup and Rick’s Picks


There will be a twenty – one foot cup erected in Times Square before the playoffs start. No, it is not Shaquille O’Neal’s jock- strap! The NHL, is placing a giant Stanley Cup on the streets of the Big Apple.

Karma beats the Rangers! Read all about it! Kharma beats the Rangers!

The field of 16 is set and all the first-round matchups have been made.

Just like George of the Jungle – I will go on a shaky limb and …

Rick’s picks

Western Conference

1. Vancouver (1) and Los Angeles (8)

The Canucks are a good team and mad! Angry for losing the Stanley Cup to Boston last year. These two elements will leave the Kings booking a beach vacation sooner than later. Vancouver should take six games to shake the Kings’ sand from their skates. Allow the Luongo factor to deposit two wins to L.A lore … Vancouver in six.

2. St.Louis (2) and San Jose (7)

The best first round match- up in the west.San Jose, following years of being expected to win – suddenly are the underdogs. This may work in their favor. They have more experience than the Blues and veterans like Thornton are aware of their mortality on a good team. If Blues’ goalie Elliot starts and fails – they have Halak. If Halak starts and fails – they have Elliot. Expect the limit here. The Blues are in foreign territory and have nothing to lose… St.Louis in seven.

3. Pheonix (3) and Chicago (6)

Les Coyotes are always skating on their final legs in Pheonix. The out- pouring of love the fans demonstrated last year goes a long way. Captain Shane Doan‘s heart and legs cannot carry the team past the Hawks. Unless … Never mind. Hawks in six.

4. Nashville (4) and Detroit (5)

Did I say the best series was St.Louis and San Jose ? Ok – Maybe not. The Predators are ready to pounce and the Wings are aware their time is limited to grab a Cup with the veterans in tow. This alone should propel the Wings higher unless Nashville goalie Pekka Rinne stands on his guitar case … Red Wings in seven

Eastern Conference

1 New York Rangers(1) and Ottawa Senators(8)

Aside from Kharma, the Rangers are not high in the goal scoring department which may be their biggest opponent. The Sens have nothing to lose and may ride the Alfredsson – train all the way (at least past New York). Ranger goalie Lundvquist is a factor as is Tortorella’s temper. The play- offs are a different animal as the Rangers will discover. Senators in seven.

2 Boston Bruins(2) and Washington Capitals(7)

The defending Stanley Cup champs should commence their defence of the title easily. The Caps and their captain, Ovechkin , played tag all year with success. If Tim Thomas can avoid the CIA snipers but not the Capitals’ shots – an easy series for the Bad Bruins. Boston in six

3 Florida Panthers(3) and New Jersey Devils (6)

A strange match – up. The upcoming Panthers may be thwarted by their happiness. The final time the Cats were on the dance floor, the thought of a black President was as rare as a plastic rat on Panther ice. Martin Brodeur, the Devils’ legendary goalie may utilize this ‘end of a career’ series as one final kick at the puck. The Devils also have Kovalchuck. New Jersey in six.

4 Pittsburgh Penguins(4)and Philadelphia Flyers (5)

Let’s get ready to rumble …! An opening round series that is tailor made for everyone to be happy! The NHL brass will be smiling, the television networks and hockey fans ‘coast to coast’ will all be pumped in Pennsylvania! The teams hate each other and Mike Milbury did his job well in applying fuel to a Flyers’ fire. Unfortunately for Philly fans, coach Laviolette and his team’s ability to be undisciplined will cede the series to Pittsburgh. Pens in six

There you have it ! Enjoy the first round and remember to …

Watch out for that tree …!

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by Rick Keene on April 10, 2012  •  Permalink
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Posted by Rick Keene on April 10, 2012

http://laforumdemontreal.wordpress.com/2012/04/10/why-the-new-york-rangers-will-not-win-the-cup-and-ricks-picks/

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