now that I have had time to digest it...

    I have had a month to deal with the Flames not making the playoffs after their great stretch run.  I have had only a couple of days to deal with the Flyers elimination from the post season. 
Neither of the above scenarios left a good taste in my mouth Flames deserved a better fate.  They had the heart, grit and momentum going for them.  I would have loved to seen them tare it up as an 8th seed. 
    The Flyers stumbled their way into the playoffs and failed to perform in the 2nd round.  Considering how Jekyl & Hyde they were down the stretch I am not at all surprised they had an early exit.  I do not think anyone who has watched the Flyers since February should be surprised at the Flyers early exit.
    It has been interesting reading all the post assigning blame.  Pronger said it best in his CSN interview "you win as a team and you loose as a team".  Winning and loosing are both infectious at times.
    For me I know when I lose I question myself completely.  I question and analyze my entire performance.  I am my worst critic.  That doesn't build my confidence.  At times that is what takes it down.  Just going off of what I do I can't imagine how those players feel.  They can't play another game til September or a game that counts til October,  That is a long time to chew on your last performance.  No one is going to put any greater blame on each of them then themselves. 

For all the couch critics out there think about if you were in the players shoes a bit.

ok other things now....
I did not accomplish near enough shenanigans as I would have liked to have accomplished this hockey season.  For next season I hope to have a little more fun and make things a bit more shenanigans for those following along.  Suggestions are always welcome. 

There will be summer updates.  You can count on that.  Check in after the Stanley cup is awarded for summer twitter points.  Can Danny Syvret maintain his grip on the top spot guess we will find out?

Another Slacker update

I get lazy at this time of year.  First let's do twitter points
I saw a Phantoms and Flyers games in the last 2 weeks.  Mike Cammalleri had a great evening this past week going back and for with Mike Commodore he gets 5 points for this efforts.  

Danny Syvret (@dannysyvret) 153
Andrew Rowe (@RoweAndrew) 140
Greg Moore (@mrballoonhands) 120
Mike Testwuide (@MikeTestwuide) 120
Stefan Legein (@Stefanlegein) 108
Matt Carle (@mattcarle25) 60
James VanRiemsdyk (@JVReemer21) 60
Matt Moulson (@mmoulson) 40
Michael Grabner (@grabs40) 20
Scottie Upshall (ScottieUpshall) 20
Paul Bissonette (@biznasty2point0) 20
Mike Cammalleri (@mcammalleri13) 5
Rob Schremp (@Robschremp) 4



I declare Danny Syvret the twitter points winner and Rob Schremp the loser of this regular season contest. 

Twitter points summer tweeting edition will start once the Stanley Cup is awarded.  Any and All NHL, AHL. & OHL players on twitter will be included in this list.  5 point for making me laugh and 10 points for tweeting back to me. 

Now on to the good stuff.  The pictures from the 2 games I attended.

first Phantoms
http://www.flickr.com/photos/neat1325/sets/72157626344213619/

Yes I know already saw the Crunch and Phantoms go at it.  Same results Phantoms won.  This time by a bigger margin.  It was a good game.  I liked the Phantoms logos but not the lettering on the jerseys for this game.  These jerseys were auctioned off post game with Leighton's going for $1,000.


Second Flyers
http://www.flickr.com/photos/neat1325/sets/72157626344709059/

Flyers finally won a game at home.  Maybe this is a sign of things to come.  I will say that it remains to be seen if that was the tipping point to finally sustain the momentum needed to carry them forward with confidence in the first round of the playoffs.  We will find out later this week.  Stay tuned.

That is all I have for right now.  until next time. 

I am a slacker here is an update

Definitely I am a slacker.  First a twitter points update.  It was pointed out that I should add Matt Carle @mattcarle25 and James Van Riemsdyk @JVReemer21 to my twitter points list.  I am adding them but only as of the beginning of February. I am also adding now former phantom Greg Moore back to the beginning of the season.  Some new comers to the list since I saw the Coyotes play in Philly.  As expected Mike Cammalleri did not play and falls to last place.

Danny Syvret (@dannysyvret) 133
Andrew Rowe (@RoweAndrew) 120
Greg Moore (@mrballoonhands) 120
Mike Testwuide (@MikeTestwuide) 100
Stefan Legein (@Stefanlegein) 88
Matt Carle (@mattcarle25) 40
James VanRiemsdyk (@JVReemer21) 40
Matt Moulson (@mmoulson) 20
Scottie Upshall (ScottieUpshall) 20
Paul Bissonette (@biznasty2point0) 20
Rob Schremp (@Robschremp) 4
Mike Cammalleri (@mcammalleri13) 0


Here are links to the pictures I have taken since my last update

Habs at Flyers
http://www.flickr.com/photos/neat1325/sets/72157625785422145/

Phantoms at Crunch
http://www.flickr.com/photos/neat1325/sets/72157625940467702/

Coyotes at Flyers
http://www.flickr.com/photos/neat1325/sets/72157626134167184/

One of my friends borrowed my camera and saw Flyers at Tampa Bay
http://www.flickr.com/photos/neat1325/sets/72157626006431213/

My next game is March 22nd Caps at Flyers.  I will update more after that next game.  

1/23/11 Phantoms at Bears and Twitter Points update

Danny Syvret (@dannysyvret) 113
Andrew Rowe (@RoweAndrew) 100
Mike Testwuide (@MikeTestwuide) 80
Stefan Legein (@Stefanlegein) 68
Matt Moulson (@mmoulson) 20
Mike Cammalleri (@mcammalleri13) 20
Rob Schremp (@Robschremp) 4

Twitter Points are updated as of Sunday's Phantoms game.  I have one more Phantoms game this week so the top players should get additional points.
I am going to Habs at Flyers tonight I think I will be subtracting points from Mr Cammalleri.


First the pictures
http://www.flickr.com/photos/neat1325/sets/72157625903476222/

The Phantoms to me looked tired.  I am very sure that they were tired.  4.5 hours to Glens Falls after Friday's game and 5.5 Hours to Hershey from Glens Falls I would be too.  Not much sleep and alot of hockey.

I was really proud of the Phantoms for keeping Hershey off the board in the first period.  It didn't hold up as well the rest of the game but you could see these guys were not giving up with out a fight.  There was fighting and Defensemen jumping up on the rush.  To me these are signs that this team is far from done.  I wish them continued success on Wednesday.  

Eric Wellwood and Stefan Legein were both injured in this game.  Legein was injured by Souray.  It seems everytime the Phantoms play the Bears this season Souray is involved with some injury. 

Baby Pens at Phantoms in Philly & Twitter Points update

Updated twitter points after last night's Phantoms game.  

Danny Syvret (@dannysyvret) 93
Andrew Rowe (@RoweAndrew) 80
Mike Testwuide (@MikeTestwuide) 60
Stefan Legein (@Stefanlegein) 48
Matt Moulson (@mmoulson) 20
Mike Cammalleri (@mcammalleri13) 20
Rob Schremp (@Robschremp) 4


The Phantoms did really well last night beating the league leading Wilkes Barre Scranton Penguins.  I think this shows that the Phantoms can play with anyone and have a very bright future. 

Here are the pictures from last night.  I hope you enjoy them. 
http://www.flickr.com/photos/neat1325/sets/72157625880248032/

Twitter Points update and a Busy hockey week

Danny Syvret and Stefan Legein are getting 5 points each for entertaining me this morning as well as reminding me I never did this post last night. 

Danny Syvret (@dannysyvret) 73
Andrew Rowe (@RoweAndrew) 60
Mike Testwuide (@MikeTestwuide) 40
Stefan Legein (@Stefanlegein) 28
Matt Moulson (@mmoulson) 20
Mike Cammalleri (@mcammalleri13) 20
Rob Schremp (@Robschremp) 4

I am attending several Phantoms games over this next stretch.  Provided everything goes well I will be adding 20 points for each game. 

 Mike Cammalleri was injured this week I do not think he will be playing on Tuesday when I go to see the Flyers play the Canadiens.  You never know but knowing my luck that will be the case. 


This little stretch is pretty busy for me.  I saw the Flyers Tuesday night.  As you can tell I never got a post up about that game but I will give you the link for the pictures. 
http://www.flickr.com/photos/neat1325/sets/72157625860955234/

I have 3 Phantoms games and one Flyers game with in the next week.  Please check back for Pictures and other updates.


I am really looking forward to tonight's Phantoms game.  I miss the Phantoms.  It had become my Friday night activity.  I am glad they are here for a Friday night game.  I feel with the amount of Twitter interaction that the Phantoms as just as close and familiar as the Flyers for me.  I am glad that so many of them have embraced that media.  I hope that all of those out there who are always saying bring up this one and that one come out and take a look at those players.  Game is on TV tonight too.  If you can not come watch in person watch on TV.  Take a look at these guys you want on the big roster. 

 I do feel really bad for the Phantoms.  They play here in Philly tonight then tomorrow in Glens Falls then Sunday in Hershey.  That is quite a few hours on the bus.  I would hope that the AHL schedule makers look next year.  It may have been better to do home and home with Hershey or Wilkes Barre  or maybe to have had Wilkes Barre, Binghamton, then Hershey to keep travel time to a minimum.  I think it will be hard on the Phantoms this weekend with all of that travel.  I will see though and let you know. 

Twitter points update & Hertiage Classic > Winter Classic

 Twitter Points update:

I am giving Stefan Legein 20 points for giving his heart out on Twitter about the World Juniors.  I think it was commendable the point he was making

Danny Syvret (@dannysyvret) 68
Andrew Rowe (@RoweAndrew) 60
Mike Testwuide (@MikeTestwuide) 40
Stefan Legein (@Stefanlegein) 23
Matt Moulson (@mmoulson) 20
Mike Cammalleri (@mcammalleri13) 20
Rob Schremp (@Robschremp) 4
 
My games for January changed a bit so does the future possible points.
Future possible points Danny Syvret 60, Stefan Legein 60, Mike Testwuide 60, Andrew Rowe 60, & Mike Cammalleri 20.
Heritage Classic thoughts

Maybe it is the Flames fan in me but I was not at all excited about this years Winter Classic knowing that the Flames will be playing the Canadians outside in February.  I thought that the HBO series helped fuel this years Winter Classic anticipation but not enjoying either of the teams playing makes it hard to keep my attention.  For me the Heritage classic has two of my favorite things the Calgary Flames and Mike Cammalleri.  Truly unless Cammalleri went back to being a Flame and the Flames played the Flyers, I couldn't be much happier. 

I have noticed that most of the talk has moved forward to who will be in next years Winter Classic but there is still one more NHL outdoor game this year.  I think that we need to make sure that is as much of a success as the Winter Classic. 

I urge you all to tell your friends and your neighbors to watch this year's Heritage classic.  It will take place on Sunday February 20th it will be televised on Versus.