THE UPS AND DOWNS OF PLAYOFF HOCKEY

As all of you have seen through the first eight games of playoff hockey this season there are many ups and downs. And unfortunately right now things seem to be on the down slope of that scale. After the amazing ending to the Selkirk Steelers series where the Flyers won three straight games, all in overtime, with Lazorko scoring the winning goal each and every game, things appeared to be going in the right direction and the absolute right time.

But then came the division final. The Flyers effort in game one was far less then any game of the first series. It was shocking to see a team that had played so great against the Steelers come out absolutely flat to start a hugely important game. It almost seemed as though they were experiencing a bit of a first round hangover. And even though they had five days to get ready for the Saints the weekend with three straight overtime games seemed to drain them.

One night later, along came game two. And what a start it was. After scoring a minute in and making it 2-0 halfway through the first it made a lot of people (including myself) breathe a sigh of relief. But then the train seemed to fall off the tracks. The Saints adjusted to get better and the Flyers weren’t able to keep up.

Being down 2-0 in the series is not where the Flyers wanted to be but its where they are. And as they say in baseball they are just a bloop and a blast away from tying things up. I know that may be way easier said then done but its true. The first period in game two proved then it can be done. However, as good as that period was there is no way that the Flyers are good enough to think that they can play a 20 minute hockey game and still win. Especially in the division final!!!

They know they can still win and we need to have confidence in them too. If they are able to squeak out a win at the Dakota tomorrow night then tying up the series at home is a real possibility.

Some things need to happen. The Flyers need to start playing better as a team. They have as much, if not more talent then the Saints but at the moment the Saints are playing way more as a team then Winkler. They use each other and trust each other to be where they are supposed to be. They know that their goaltender will make the big save and that the defense will get the puck out of their zone. All things that the Flyers are sadly finding out rather late.

I hate being critical but thems the facts. If this thing comes to an end this weekend there will be a whole long list of things we can talk about as to why, after such an exciting start to the playoffs, did it go south in such a hurry.

But for now lets not think about that. There is still for sure two more games to go and lets give them all the support that we can and hope that the boys are able to give it all they have and are able to go home after the season with no regrets.

I know things are looking a bad right now but it only takes a couple more wins and it’s a different ball game.

BIG WEEKEND

A playoff series is always full of a few key moments that when you look back on them after its all over you can pin point where the series was won or lost. This particular series between the Flyers and Steelers already has a number of these moments.

Missed penalty shots in overtime, blown 3-1 leads, short handed goals, injuries, suspensions, double OT winners, you name it and this series has it….and its not nearly done!!!

Game four of there series last night was, in my opinion, the make or break game of the series for the Flyers. Lets just say for a moment that the Flyers had lost that game. They would be down 3-1 in the series going back to Selkirk for game five. They would have to three straight games in the next four days in order to win the series and do it with their back firmly pressed against the wall.

We can all be happy that that isn’t the case. The Flyers double overtime win last night has given them the momentum heading into game five tonight in Selkirk. The Flyers knew all along that if they wanted to win the series the needed to take care of business at home and would need just one win in the House of Steel. And let me tell you, they would rather do it tonight then wait for game seven on Tuesday.

If you are one of those people that likes to watch sports you have seen the highs and lows of sport. Sidney Crosby’s OT winner in the Olympic gold medal game and Joe Carter’s home run to win the World Series for the Toronto Blue Jays would be some of the positives that you can think of. Then there are the lows. Bill Buckner anyone? A game like game four of this series can be one of those moments that you look at a couple days from now and think “That was the series right there”. For the Flyers it can propel them to a series win because all the momentum is with them coming into a tough weekend. IF the Flyers can come out with a strong start in game five there chances should be good this weekend. The Orange and Black would love to have the opportunity to win the series at home tomorrow night but they must take care of business this evening.

However, if the Steelers are able to rebound then Flyer Nation will have a lot of ammo to choose from when it comes to picking situations or moments that could have gone differently. Lets hope we don’t need to do that.

Remember the last time the Flyers won a playoff series on home ice? Neither do I. Lets hope we get to see it tomorrow. I absolutley love the emotion and the joy that comes with a big overtime goal or a game winner home run or any event that brings a sudden and perminant end to any sort of game. Don't forget you can tune into CKMW this weekend for all the action. Just click on the links to your right.

Thanks again and have a good one!