Cinderella missed the pumpkin coach on Tuesday night, as the Washington Capitals came one goal short of advancing to the eastern conference semi finals. The Caps surrendered their early lead to end up in overtime and couldn’t score the winning goal that would have kept their story rolling through one more series at least.
The Flyers took advantage of an overtime power play situation and banged in a puck that had eluded Christoabl Huet, a goal to celebrate back in Philadelphia as they now prepare to move on to meet the Montreal Canadiens.
Washington, young and energetic produced some of the most entertaining and exciting hockey of the last eight weeks in the NHL, from the exploits of Ovechkin and Backstrom, to the rebirth of Huet, Cooke and Federov there was much to like about the over achievers from the US capital.
While there will be disappointment in not traveling further down the path towards the Stanley Cup this year, there certainly is hope and now expectations that better things are soon to come in the next few years for hockey in DC.
For the Flyers the series win returns them to a level of hockey that they haven’t had to face in the last few years, another young team that started to come together at just the right time.
The had fought victory over seven games with the Capitals, did much to erase those early season memories of an almost goon like squad, ready to inflict as much pain and suffering as required to get the job done.
Instead they provided an effort of determination and grit, to not let setbacks derail their plans. At points in this series they looked every bit as dominant as those legendary Flyer teams of the past, though in other moments they still very much resembled the work in progress that they are.
It’s that inconsistency that still leaves a few questions about them, some of which will be examined fully we’re sure as their series with the Habs moves along, game one is Thursday night in Montreal.
The Flyers took advantage of an overtime power play situation and banged in a puck that had eluded Christoabl Huet, a goal to celebrate back in Philadelphia as they now prepare to move on to meet the Montreal Canadiens.
Washington, young and energetic produced some of the most entertaining and exciting hockey of the last eight weeks in the NHL, from the exploits of Ovechkin and Backstrom, to the rebirth of Huet, Cooke and Federov there was much to like about the over achievers from the US capital.
While there will be disappointment in not traveling further down the path towards the Stanley Cup this year, there certainly is hope and now expectations that better things are soon to come in the next few years for hockey in DC.
For the Flyers the series win returns them to a level of hockey that they haven’t had to face in the last few years, another young team that started to come together at just the right time.
The had fought victory over seven games with the Capitals, did much to erase those early season memories of an almost goon like squad, ready to inflict as much pain and suffering as required to get the job done.
Instead they provided an effort of determination and grit, to not let setbacks derail their plans. At points in this series they looked every bit as dominant as those legendary Flyer teams of the past, though in other moments they still very much resembled the work in progress that they are.
It’s that inconsistency that still leaves a few questions about them, some of which will be examined fully we’re sure as their series with the Habs moves along, game one is Thursday night in Montreal.
CBC Sports-- Flyers' Lupul arrives right on time
Fox Sports-- Power play carries Flyers into second round
Washington Post-- It's over (for now)
Washington Post-- A Letdown, But the Caps' Buzz Lingers
Washington Times-- Over and Out
Washington Times-- Coming soon a team to be reckoned with
Washington Times-- Lupul regains his confidence
Philadelphia Inquirer-- Flyers win series on Lupul’s goal in OT
Philadelphia Inquirer-- Capping it off
Philadelphia Daily News--Flyers-Capitals, Game 7 recap
.
NHL.com-- Stats Pack
No comments:
Post a Comment