Late 90's, I must've been 5 or 6, playoff series against Buffalo, we lost that game/series and I remember my dad saying that was the last game of hockey until next season and I cried all night.

EDIT: 1998. I wasn't quite 5 yet.
- GirouxForTheShow

oh, i remember that night like it was yesterday. i was driving up to rhode island earlier in the day to visit my best friend from college, when i got into a car accident on the hairpin exit on the garden state parkway that feeds into the turnpike. it was raining and the woman in front of me was going way too fast, lost control and smashed into the barrier on the left. i couldn't pass right, and i hydroplaned right into her. needless to say, i didn't make it to RI. my car was basically destroyed, took several hours for a friend to get me, etc etc.

so i'm home for the game instead. the sabres michal grosek scored on a rebound off the crossbar with sean burke in net, ending their season, and wasting dave babych's game tying goal in the 3rd. it was still raining, quite hard, and not having a car i walked about a mile down the road to the 7-11 to get something to drink and to get rid of the rage, i flipped garbage cans over, spiking anything not tied down on the way there. and back. i was so (frank)ing furious.

It is one of the few things that helps me get past the 9-5 work day.

You guys feel confident going into next year? I think the division is wide open
- TPC

I'm more confident in the long term than the immediate future. I agree on the division. Flyers and Rangers kind of tread water, I think Columbus, NJ and even the Caps will be better.

Still, is Mason can repeat, it's hard to count out a team with Giroux on the roster

http://instagram.com/p/q7H7y2mQ9B/?modal=true
- 2Real

I did powertrain. I put on 17 pounds in 6 weeks

Thanks man.

I'll bet even little toddler GiG wouldn't have lost 99s rookie autograph though, ya dumb dummeh!!
- Giroux_Is_God

Yeah lotsa stuff was lost during my college years, like sanity, good judgement and brain cells just to name a few

Yeah lotsa stuff was lost during my college years, like sanity, good judgement and brain cells just to name a few
- BiggE

Sounds like me!

My first Flyers memory isn't really a memory at all. I don't remember who they were playing. I don't remember what year it was. All I remember is during the first period of some game, one of the Flyers scored, and I jumped off of the top of the couch (since I was climbing on it) and jumped around, rattling the nearby Christmas tree. Dad tackled me and was yelling HE SCORESSSS FOR A CASE OF TASTYCAKES and we were rolling around laughing and cheering.

Regarding hockey, I owe everything to my dad. He taught me everything and got me into the game at a young age. I remember as a little kid (like...4 years old) playing in the garage of the old house. We didn't have much in the garage, so we'd play hockey in there with the door closed. The nets were cardboard boxes...dad was on his knees and I was standing up using a mini stick. We'd play for what seemed like hours. We'd play against each other or on the same team...he'd always announce. I didn't know then, but I know now what "THEY POKE AT IT!" and "Score for a case of tastycake!!" really mean to Flyerdom. He'd always announce like Hart, with those being the 2 phrases I (and most people, I guess) remember most. Getting older, we'd play on the driveway with actual sticks and a net, and sometimes there'd even be a "fike" as I would say. I'd always beat dad. I was the toughest around...I even threw my stick down, ruffled the back of my jersey, and fixed my imaginary elbow pads....

What might be my fondest hockey memory/memories was when I was in what I'd say 3rd grade. I was old enough to stay awake for most, if not all, of the games, and if I missed anything I'd just watch it on Sportsrise the next morning getting ready for school. Dad worked the night shift, so he'd leave about mid way through the 1st period and not get home until after I'd leave for school the next morning. I would leave notes/pictures on computer paper depicting what happened during each game he missed. I remember drawing one where a Flyer (Gagne?) scored on Brodeur in OT, writing in big letters at the top DYLT (Dad you'll love this...meaning dad you'll love what happened during the flyers game last night). I drew Marty in front of the net with the puck past him and Gagne with his hands up in the air...there was even a fan or 2 (it was Devils home game I guess ) and the jumbotron. Another drawing I drew was 2 people talking. One of them was Bob Clarke as GM, talking to the Yotes' GM with the talk bubbles: "Boucher for Esche??" "Sure!" because I didn't like the trade at the time. I'd tape each one with scotch tape to the outside of the garage door into the house, so it was the first thing Dad would see.

My first "real", specific game memory? I can think of 2. One was the brawl against the Senators. This one, I think out of my 2, is chronologically first. Dad, on his off days, would tape late games for me on VHS or tape whatever I missed if I had to go to sleep. We'd watch them together when we got the chance, but he made time for that baby.

The other one I can remember vividly is game 6 against the Lightning. Our friends from Tampa were up here in PA visiting, and it was a bad time, up until the last 10 minutes!

My favorite memory as a Flyer fan to this date, that I can say I actually remember and paid attention to, is Game 7 against the Bruins.
- Giroux_Is_God

great stuff.

i was at both of those games in 2004. my first year as a season ticket holder. glorious memories, both of them.

nice thread and memories from everyone. I guess i'm the old coot here, my first memory was reading about their first 2 games (Oct. 1967) in the Inquirer, both loses on the west coast. the short column covered both games since they were out west and no one really knew who they were.
my first live game was their 2nd home game on 10-22-67 against the california golden seals, it was a 5-2 victory and our seats cost $2.00 in the upper deck behind the goal. the spectrum, with its partially assembled scoreboard was beautiful. it was the neatest place an 11 year old had ever been to.
- monty burns

Awesome

I'm more confident in the long term than the immediate future. I agree on the division. Flyers and Rangers kind of tread water, I think Columbus, NJ and even the Caps will be better.

Still, is Mason can repeat, it's hard to count out a team with Giroux on the roster
- Jsaquella

Yea Mason repeating is the big variable. If he does you guys will be dangerous. I still don't love your d corps, not a big fan of the deal MacDonald got. But you do have a couple of guys not far away that could have a nice impact.

The Rangers need JT Miller to fill out that 3rd line line center role Richards had last year. I think he is ready. Him contributing will be huge. Also gotta hope Lombardi, Stempniak and Glass can replace the depth that Boyle, Dorsett, and Pouliot brought. That is the big question mark.

I love Dan Boyle over Stralman. The Rangers haven't had a right handed defensemen with his offensive skills in a long time.

didnt become a serious Flyers fan until Lindros.

as a kid that loved wrestling bad guys, my favorite player was Chelios after hearing about what he did to Propp (and Hextall's retaliation) from my dad. Loved that he was the most hated man around here. So that early 90s Blackhawk team was my favorite until Lindros switched me forever when i was about 10.

Yea Mason repeating is the big variable. If he does you guys will be dangerous. I still don't love your d corps, not a big fan of the deal MacDonald got. But you do have a couple of guys not far away that could have a nice impact.

The Rangers need JT Miller to fill out that 3rd line line center role Richards had last year. I think he is ready. Him contributing will be huge. Also gotta hope Lombardi, Stempniak and Glass can replace the depth that Boyle, Dorsett, and Pouliot brought. That is the big question mark.

I love Dan Boyle over Stralman. The Rangers haven't had a right handed defensemen with his offensive skills in a long time.
- TPC

Mason looked really strong and rebounded very well after a mid-season dip. The skill is there and he's working hard to maintain his game.

Agree on MacDonald & the D group, but they've been drafting D like crazy, so help is on the way...eventually.

I love Stralman, but Boyle is still really good. I also like the Lombardi and Stempiank moves. Miller should be able to step in and be a regular contributor, too...plus, Hank is still Hank & McDonagh should be healthy and raring to go

great stuff.

i was at both of those games in 2004. my first year as a season ticket holder. glorious memories, both of them.
- hammarby31

Thanks hammar.

That must have been absolutely crazy. The "best" game I went to was when Hartsy beat Fleury with 1 second left.

I'll miss that clown.

didnt become a serious Flyers fan until Lindros.

as a kid that loved wrestling bad guys, my favorite player was Chelios after hearing about what he did to Propp (and Hextall's retaliation) from my dad. Loved that he was the most hated man around here. So that early 90s Blackhawk team was my favorite until Lindros switched me forever when i was about 10.
- Crimsoninja

I hated Chelios. Still dislike him greatly.

Mason looked really strong and rebounded very well after a mid-season dip. The skill is there and he's working hard to maintain his game.

Agree on MacDonald & the D group, but they've been drafting D like crazy, so help is on the way...eventually.

I love Stralman, but Boyle is still really good. I also like the Lombardi and Stempiank moves. Miller should be able to step in and be a regular contributor, too...plus, Hank is still Hank & McDonagh should be healthy and raring to go
- Jsaquella

Yea both of them came in at under 1 million cap hits. They were both steals IMO.

You guys have any other forward prospects on the way outside of Laughton? I know your D corp is close to getting a youth infusion.

That's great, and I'd expect it from you.
- Jsaquella

i know, right?

i remember another game against the islanders during the 85-86 season, a saturday afternoon, and the islanders scored with 1 second left to win the game. one of the lower level, removable folding chairs ended up being thrown on the ice. i was 13, and there just with wilsonecho, who was 7. i let loose a stream of obscenities, naturally, and the woman in front of me turned around and looked at me like i was the devil incarnate. i think she asked me something about where were my parents. i don't recall my response, or if i even gave her one. another car ride home of pure anger.

didnt become a serious Flyers fan until Lindros.

as a kid that loved wrestling bad guys, my favorite player was Chelios after hearing about what he did to Propp (and Hextall's retaliation) from my dad. Loved that he was the most hated man around here. So that early 90s Blackhawk team was my favorite until Lindros switched me forever when i was about 10.
- Crimsoninja

i still hate chelios. always will. (frank)ing douche.

I hated Chelios. Still dislike him greatly.
- Jsaquella

I didn't realize he was hated. All I see him as is that pretty good dman on the Wings who never retired.

Pretty good. Not really good. The really good dman on the Wings that never retired is Lidstrom, and it's pretty much impossible to hate him, no?

Thanks hammar.

That must have been absolutely crazy. The "best" game I went to was when Hartsy beat Fleury with 1 second left.

I'll miss that clown.
- Giroux_Is_God

the senators brawl was just ridiculous. it just kept going and going and going. i remember there only being a handful of players remaining on each bench when it finally stopped because of all the ejections. i think the esche/lalime fight was my favorite moment. the 2002 playoff loss against him when the flyers scored all of 2 goals in 5 games was still fresh, and i wanted esche to beat the (frank)ing piss out of him.

the tampa game is the most exciting, best ending live flyers game i've attended, and i've been to some good ones.

Yea both of them came in at under 1 million cap hits. They were both steals IMO.

You guys have any other forward prospects on the way outside of Laughton? I know your D corp is close to getting a youth infusion.
- TPC

Nick Cousins, Taylor Leier, Brandon Alderson...mostly 3rd liner/depth types. Leier really came on his last two years in junior. They got a couple kids this year in the draft, Nicolas Aube-Kubel a speedy and skilled little guy and Oskar Lindblom, who they feel is a steal for thee 5th round. Unsure if any are ready to step in yet

Fortunately, they still have Couturier & Schenn who are still very young, as well as Simmonds and Voracek who are still under 26. I'd like to see a bit of shuffling up front, to improve the 5 on 5 play. The only two lines that really did OK at 5 on 5 were Giroux's and Couturier's ( and the latter's is based as much on usage as it is on performance)

Yea both of them came in at under 1 million cap hits. They were both steals IMO.

You guys have any other forward prospects on the way outside of Laughton? I know your D corp is close to getting a youth infusion.
- TPC

Not really. All our young forwards are on the team already. The closest player that fits your description is Akeson I'd say.

However, that could change quickly with this Hayes saga

i still hate chelios. always will. (frank)ing douche.
- hammarby31

I remember as a kid we had a yard sale and I tried to sell his trading card for 10 bucks. No takers mostly because I was dumb and put a dollar sign instead of a cents sign. But I have hated him ever since.

the senators brawl was just ridiculous. it just kept going and going and going. i remember there only being a handful of players remaining on each bench when it finally stopped because of all the ejections. i think the esche/lalime fight was my favorite moment. the 2002 playoff loss against him when the scored all of 2 goals in 5 games was still fresh, and i wanted esche to beat the (frank)ing piss out of him.

the tampa game is the most exciting, best ending live flyers game i've attended, and i've been to some good ones.
- hammarby31

There was like 3 or 4 guys on each bench...

More coaching personnel than players

I didn't realize he was hated. All I see him as is that pretty good dman on the Wings who never retired.

Pretty good. Not really good. The really good dman on the Wings that never retired is Lidstrom, and it's pretty much impossible to hate him, no?
- Giroux_Is_God

It is. Lidstrom was awesome. But I hated Chelios, from when he was a great defenseman with the Habs

I didn't realize he was hated. All I see him as is that pretty good dman on the Wings who never retired.

Pretty good. Not really good. The really good dman on the Wings that never retired is Lidstrom, and it's pretty much impossible to hate him, no?
- Giroux_Is_God

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pRVXzQ3YuNM

Yea both of them came in at under 1 million cap hits. They were both steals IMO.

You guys have any other forward prospects on the way outside of Laughton? I know your D corp is close to getting a youth infusion.
- TPC

akeson. jason akeson. middle name: art ross. prepare for the fury.

It is. Lidstrom was awesome. But I hated Chelios, from when he was a great defenseman with the Habs
- Jsaquella

Seems like it's a common thread here...was Chelios cheap or something? Or just good?

Or both?