Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Playoff Epics, QMJHL Finals and More

Hopefully there's some good news on the collegiate front this week.

Definitely remember feeling sort of pot committed while watching that 5OT playoff game that Primeau ended. When it looked like matters wouldn't be settled after 2 OTs, I decided to just stay up and ride it out. I was exhausted when Primeau finally scored.

I also remember going into work the next day after the game against the Pens went to 4:40AM and my co-workers wondering if I'd make it through the day. I was completely wiped out.

I had to leave the house for the Leafs game. My family couldn't take it anymore. I was pumping gas and listening to the game on the radio when Roenick won it. I high fived all the people at the pumps and drove home to watch the replays.

I had to leave the house for the Leafs game. My family couldn't take it anymore. I was pumping gas and listening to the game on the radio when Roenick won it. I high fived all the people at the pumps and drove home to watch the replays.
- mayorofangrytown

Now, for the Leafs game, I can remember thinking the Flyers were bending a bit too much and that the Leafs would finish it.

I remember being angry because of the Kapanen hit because Darcy Tucker is a terrible human being.

I'm pretty sure I yelled something about the Leafs fornicating themselves when Roenick potted that goal.

I hated that Leafs team and that whole era of Leafs players.

My brother is a huge leafs fan and when Roenick scored the winner all I remember is a shoe came flying pass my head and I booked while screaming WOOOOOOOOOO WE WIN WE WIN

I honestly remember watching that Leafs series and just thinking "this is why playoff hockey is the greatest thing" ..

Heavy, physical, fast, skilled, intense..everything that you want to watch as a fan.

I honestly remember watching that Leafs series and just thinking "this is why playoff hockey is the greatest thing" ..

Heavy, physical, fast, skilled, intense..everything that you want to watch as a fan.
- opeth_pa

The Flyers and Leafs had some real good playoff battles in the early 2000's, for sure.

I couldn't stay up for that 5 overtime win... Was digging trenches and mixing concrete back in those days, took all my will power to get through the first two ot's...

That's awesome to hear that about you, Bill, getting irritable amd all, just shows you care!

I had to leave the house for the Leafs game. My family couldn't take it anymore. I was pumping gas and listening to the game on the radio when Roenick won it. I high fived all the people at the pumps and drove home to watch the replays.
- mayorofangrytown

I had to pick my wife up from work for the Boston Game 7 comeback. Missed the Briere and Hartnell goals, but made it home for the Gagne goal.

game 2 at Boston Garden in 1974 was my all time favorite Flyer win

Ugh that video clip made me sad... I've been trying to find a Luke Richardson jersey my size for years. Not only do we share the same last name, but he also wears my favorite/lucky number. Sigh.

In 2000, I shared an apartment in Brookline, MA with 3 other guys (grad school days)... one of them was from Milwaukee, and that night the Bucks were in game 5 (best of 5) of the NBA first round playoffs. Since that game started before the Flyers-Pens game, I let him have the TV to watch that game until it ended. Unfortunately for him, the Bucks lost... but even with his team eliminated, he stuck around to watch as we changed channels back in time to watch the 3rd period of the Flyers game. He wasn't really a hockey fan, but at least that night, he was hooked on the drama, as the Flyers and Pens stayed tied through periods 3,4,5,6, and 7, despite multiple close calls for both sides. I, of course, was stressed out beyond belief (either series would be 2-2, or Flyers would trail 3-1... HUGE difference of course)... only the intermissions between OT's kept me sane. By the time Primeau scored the winner (almost 2:30 am!), my first reaction was disbelief... I had been watching for 5 periods shot after shot *NOT* go into the net... something like 70-80 shots on goal straight without a marker... so I was like, did that actually go in? Then, of course, I almost woke up everyone else on the block screaming "SCORE!!" And my Milwaukee roommate, despite seeing his basketball team's season end 5 hours ago, congratulated me. Wow - it's still a thrill when I think back to it.

P.S. Didn't the Flyers order pizzas to their dressing room at some point during the OT's?

In 2000, I shared an apartment in Brookline, MA with 3 other guys (grad school days)... one of them was from Milwaukee, and that night the Bucks were in game 5 (best of 5) of the NBA first round playoffs. Since that game started before the Flyers-Pens game, I let him have the TV to watch that game until it ended. Unfortunately for him, the Bucks lost... but even with his team eliminated, he stuck around to watch as we changed channels back in time to watch the 3rd period of the Flyers game. He wasn't really a hockey fan, but at least that night, he was hooked on the drama, as the Flyers and Pens stayed tied through periods 3,4,5,6, and 7, despite multiple close calls for both sides. I, of course, was stressed out beyond belief (either series would be 2-2, or Flyers would trail 3-1... HUGE difference of course)... only the intermissions between OT's kept me sane. By the time Primeau scored the winner (almost 2:30 am!), my first reaction was disbelief... I had been watching for 5 periods shot after shot *NOT* go into the net... something like 70-80 shots on goal straight without a marker... so I was like, did that actually go in? Then, of course, I almost woke up everyone else on the block screaming "SCORE!!" And my Milwaukee roommate, despite seeing his basketball team's season end 5 hours ago, congratulated me. Wow - it's still a thrill when I think back to it.

P.S. Didn't the Flyers order pizzas to their dressing room at some point during the OT's?
- copelal

Pizzas and popcorn.

Shoot - I just remembered this... both Clarke's game 2 OT goal in the '74 Finals and Primeau's goal in the marathon 2000 game were at 12:01 of the period... so any time you want to guess when the Flyers will score an instant-classic game winner, that's the time I would pick.

Yes they had pizza which some guys would just eat the crust. I know Matthew Barnaby (who was with the Pens at the time) talks about it on Sirius Radio every time multi OT games are mentioned on the lunchtime show.

Flyers reportedly have interest in Kevin Shattenkirk (via trade) and Loui Ericsson as a FA. I'm not sold on acquiring either.

Source: http://www.broadstreethoc...shattenkirk-loui-eriksson

Flyers reportedly have interest in Kevin Shattenkirk (via trade) and Loui Ericsson as a FA. I'm not sold on acquiring either.

Source: http://www.broadstreethoc...shattenkirk-loui-eriksson
- dragonoffrost

Both good players, but not the right time to be pulling those kinds of moves, IMO.

I'll never forget the Primeau game. I was sick with a 102/103 fever. I sat on the couch shivering, finally turning on the gas fireplace because I was so cold. I stayed up the entire game. Needless to say, I missed work the next day. Priorities.

why was there never an injury report, didn't that used to be the norm ?

Both good players, but not the right time to be pulling those kinds of moves, IMO.
- Tomahawk

I like both players but not sure I want to invest assets and money into those two.

Rather just spend money on Stamkos.

Rather just spend money on Stamkos.
- J35Bacher

- Tomahawk

I know.

Unpopular to everyone.

But I think it works for the now and still keeps the plan of drafting and developing going.

I remember saying "OK, i'll just stay up until the end of the period". Then, "OK, 11:30". Then, "OK, end of THIS period". Finally went to bed around 1 am. My brother said he was at a bar. They locked the doors at 2, but allowed anyone to stay. Still served until the Flyers won.

Game 7 against the Devils was the same night as my rehearsal dinner. We divorced 5 years later. I should have seen that red flag.

I remember saying "OK, i'll just stay up until the end of the period". Then, "OK, 11:30". Then, "OK, end of THIS period". Finally went to bed around 1 am. My brother said he was at a bar. They locked the doors at 2, but allowed anyone to stay. Still served until the Flyers won.

Game 7 against the Devils was the same night as my rehearsal dinner. We divorced 5 years later. I should have seen that red flag.
- Levit8

The first-ever playoff OT game was at was the Knuble 2OT winner. Loved that game. Sat in a 1.5-hour parking lot jam and did not care.