FanNation - The Republic of Sport

      As the flyers season came to a grinding hault at Mellon Arena yesterday afternoon I was at a loss for words. Disappointed would be a good one I think heartbreak is even better. As magical as this playoff run was, it was not the way to go out. To listen to the crowd chant at the boys, I really did feel bad for them. I guess when you run out of gas this is the result. After watching the demoralizing loss yesterday, the flyers are in need of some help. Fowards were non-exsistent, except jeff carter scott hartnell and  Thoresen showed a lot of heart. Biron had no chance on a few shots, but all in all Biron looked absoultely terrible. To win big playoff games you need you're goal tender to make key saves, and that just didn't happen yesterday.

       I was reading an article this morning that Paul Holmgren and Peter Lukko, are going to sit down and figure out what pieces they still need to complete the puzzle for next year. I'm not really sure what they really need. A change of how they play would be a good start. They were missing Simon Gagne this whole season, and lost our 2 top defensemen in the playoffs. Maybe get rid of Hatcher, for a younger mobile defense men I dunno. I thought Hatcher played well in the playoffs, but can he do it for another season. I dunno? The loss still hurts, I love this team and the City. Philadelphia teams have my heart, especially the Flyers, cause hockey is such a passionate sport. There are a lot of emotions, and this group means a lot to me. They represent the hard working guys, the under dogs. Every dog has it's day. It was naiave to think of winning the Stanley Cup, but this team makes you believe.

      The Penguin's gave us a reality check, that this Flyers team wasn't ready. Asking a lot from a group that finished dead last lastyear, and now here they were in the Eastern Conference Final. It was more heartbreaking yesterday, but I know the boys will regroup this summer and come back refocused next season. It will be a matter of who's new, and what lines will be different. The future looks bright with young #77 Parent, Steve Downie and Claude Grioux. Time will tell, hard to see the Flyers crumble like that. Being a Philadelphia fan you learn to roll with the punches. Never give up, it was a great season and I'm proud of each and everyone of them. Mike Richards now knows at an early age, what it takes to get to the Stanley Cup. A round of appaulse from me to the boys, thank you for a great season. Looking forward maybe will get our shot next year. Thank you Flyers.