The three-game winning streak ended and the Flyers returned to their losing ways as the road campaign ended painfully by granting the Caps their first ever, four-game sweep in their history. There was a time that playing Washington’s rather lame franchise was an easy three victories for Philly. They’re still disorganized, terrible and pathetic. I’ve decided not to waste the money and vacation time seeing them play in Dallas this March. I’m saddened because this would be their first appearance at the AA in over three years but it isn’t worth the energy, distance and cash to see them if they’re not going to even try to play well against the Stars. I’m not saying the Flyers have to win, they didn’t when I saw them in 2003 yet they should play well enough to make it close.
Meanwhile, the Coyotes were on a roll! Last night they completed a five-game road sweep, first one in the NHL since Detroit in 2002. This bumped them up to 11th place in the conference and fourth in their division. If they can keep that momentum, they may actually make the playoffs which is the goal for this season. I think the comeback victory in OT after being down 4-1 in Carolina was one of the better games NHL Center Ice aired. I still wanted to see the 8-0 beating they gave the Sharks. The victories did move CuJo up the list of successful goalies; he’s now ahead of Jacques Plante. Sadly, two players were traded in the process. Mike Comrie was sent to Ottawa for some AWOL Russian. I find it funny that he was their second pick after Petr Nedved was grabbed by Edmonton first. Should’ve been the other way around. Comrie is a good player but I think his career will pan out the same way as Adam Oates’ in that by the time he retires, he’ll have no Stanley Cup but he played for more than half of the League. Defenseman Seidenberg, one of the few Germans in the NHL, was sent to Carolina for forward Adams.
Around the remainder of the NHL. Marty Brodeur keeps winning with the Devils and landed yet another shutout. Hopefully Terry Sawchuk won’t burst from the grave to stop it, unless zombies can be distracted by a corner bar. The US Juniors team took third place in Sweden which is still better than the US at the Olympics. Their loss to Canada was at least a good struggle as they took it to overtime.
Lastly, Kansas City showed the Pens their plan to land the team with good ol’ corporate welfare. After their failures with other sports franchises in that ghost town, subsidies would be the only way to succeed. I don’t think the NHL is really that interested in keeping the team in Pittsburgh since money talks and Atlanta wouldn’t have to change conferences in the possible re-alignment. Houston would be nice but I wouldn’t change my loyalties to Phoenix and Philly as long as they have Sid “the big baby kid” Crosby. They’d also have to change their name to the Aeroes to honor Gordie Howe’s time in Houston.