PLAYOFF TIME IS ALMOST HERE

Hello again fans. I am glad that many of you have found this blog to be a great way to provide some constructive discussion and share your thoughts on the team. When I decided to do “Behind the Mic” at the beginning of this season I wanted to provide an inside look at the team and also provide the fans with a chance to voice their opinions as well. The passion for the team really comes across and for that I thank you. Even though we don’t always agree. And that is ok.

The team has been on a bit of a roller coaster in recent weeks. During the good games we can definitely see that the skill and systems are there, but being able to do that on a consistent basis has been the struggle. A lot of times at this time of year things tend to be that way. These players have been away from home since the last week of August, the season has been long, the pressure is mounting, and every thing is magnified come playoff time.

It is almost a forgone conclusion that the Orange and Black will, once again, finish in 3rd place in the Addison Division. They are currently six points behind the 2nd place Selkirk Steelers and six points ahead of the 4th place Winnipeg South Blues.

The Flyers will most likely stay in third unless they get red hot here at the end of the season or on the other side of the coin go right down hill.

The Steelers have three games in hand on Winkler and the Blues have one. The Flyers need five points in their last four games to secure at least third sport, however the Blues would need to run the table in their last five games in order for that number to come into play.

If Winkler wins each of their last four games the would finish with 70 points, Selkirk currently has 67 and needs only four points in their remaining seven games to clinch at least 2nd place. The Steelers are also six points behind the division leading Winnipeg Saints so we may just be in for a Winkler/Selkirk semi-final series for the fourth year in a row….that would be a lot of fun to watch.

There has been a lot of pressure on this team this season. They were pegged by many as the class of the Addison Division before one game was even played. However, injuries, inconsistent play, bad luck, and a big combination of other things have prevented that from becoming a reality.

In my humble, “from the sidelines” opinion they need to just start having a little fun while at the same time taking in seriously. And that my friends is always easier to do when you are winning.

A lot of the comments in recent posts have focused on staying positive and being their to cheer on the team in good times and bad. I honestly believe, IF, they can get things going here at the end of the season that we will be in for an exciting ride the rest of the way. I really hope I’m right and if the entire team pulls together, and we as fans of the Flyers are pulling with them then the possibilities are endless. So come out and cheer your boys on as they put and end to the 2009/2010 season these next four games.

Just for your viewing pleasure I have found some funny and thought provoking hockey quotes from some people who know more about the game and have played the game a heck of a lot more then we all have so check it out..

Conn Smythe
Maple Leafs coach
"If you can't beat `em in the alley, you can't beat `em on the ice."

Jacques Plante
"Goaltending is a normal job, sure. How would you like it in your job if every time you made a small mistake, a red light went on over your desk and 15,000 people stood up and yelled at you?"

Brett Hull
"I'm not dumb enough to be a goalie."

Harry Neale (Former Toronto Maple Leafs Head Coach)
"I know my players don't like my practices, but that's okay because I don't like their games.""Last season we couldn't win at home and we were losing on the road. My failure was that I couldn't think of any place else to play."

Gil Perreault
"The three important elements of hockey are: forecheck, backcheck and paycheck."

Wayne Gretzky
"You miss 100 percent of the shots you never take."

Harry Sinden
"The only way you can check Gretzky is to hit him when he is standing still singing the national anthem."

Mark Messier
"Biologically, I'm 10. Chronologically, I'm 33.In hockey years, I'm 66."

Pat Foley
Blackhawks broadcaster
"If you've only got one day to live, come see the Toronto Maple Leafs. It'll seem like forever."