Bill Meltzer: Musings: The Journey & Destination, Alumni Golf Today, and More

I agree, sometimes I wonder which playoffs I had more fun watching, the 10 run to the finals, or the war of PA (which had higher ratings then the cup final that yr).

The thing I will remember about this season was the playoffs starting towards the end of January, and how every game for the rest of the season was a war. My friends and I were fortunate enough to make it to about 75% of all the weekday (Monday- Thursday) games and were able to soak in the wonderful atmosphere.

Hopefully we will have a easier ride to the playoffs this season, but if we don't, at least it will be a hell of a ride.

Yeah it's true. The 2009-10 season was a rollercoaster and frustrating, as the team really underachieved. But the playoff run made it a load of fun.

I think a lot of it has to do with expectations going in. Last year was a fun year for me, because I felt that they overachieved by making the playoffs.

Also, July and August are the worst months of the year

One of my favorite moments from 2011-2012, even more so than games 3 and 6 versus Pittsburgh, was the Winter Classic alumni game. Seeing Bernie Parent play, albeit only for 5 minutes, and having Lindros set up LeClair, was one of the best hockey experiences of my adult life. That season has a really sour ending, but was also maybe the most fun season in recent years, even more than the 2009/2010 run, just because of the roster makeup, especially Jagr.

Yeah it's true. The 2009-10 season was a rollercoaster and frustrating, as the team really underachieved. But the playoff run made it a load of fun.

I think a lot of it has to do with expectations going in. Last year was a fun year for me, because I felt that they overachieved by making the playoffs.

Also, July and August are the worst months of the year
- Jsaquella

its so hot right now :/

One of my favorite moments from 2011-2012, even more so than games 3 and 6 versus Pittsburgh, was the Winter Classic alumni game. Seeing Bernie Parent play, albeit only for 5 minutes, and having Lindros set up LeClair, was one of the best hockey experiences of my adult life. That season has a really sour ending, but was also maybe the most fun season in recent years, even more than the 2009/2010 run, just because of the roster makeup, especially Jagr.
- jmatchett383

Jagr Salute in Pgh in a flyers uniform

July and August = beach and birthday. Get outta here jsaq.

March and April are the worst. "Oh these months aren't winter months so it should be getting warmer! Yay! This winter has been so long. I'm ready for spring", I say as I watch it rain in 40° weather 4 days out of the week.

Jagr Salute in Pgh in a flyers uniform
- flyers4487

Was awesome when Giroux and Hartnell did the salute at the All Star Game introductions.

July and August = beach and birthday. Get outta here jsaq.

March and April are the worst. "Oh these months aren't winter months so it should be getting warmer! Yay! This winter has been so long. I'm ready for spring", I say as I watch it rain in 40° weather 4 days out of the week.
- Giroux_Is_God

I think he meant from a sports prospective, which I agree with. Currently unless you are close to the shore its too hot outside to do anything during the daytime.

Happy 80th birthday to Ted Harris, a solid veteran Dman, he was one of the unsung heroes on the 74-75 Cup team.

11-12 was probably my favorite season to watch as a flyers fan

the 09-10 playoffs were incredible as well

Jagr Salute in Pgh in a flyers uniform
- flyers4487

The Mike Rupp salute in the Winter Classic wasn't quite as good.

One of my favorite moments from 2011-2012, even more so than games 3 and 6 versus Pittsburgh, was the Winter Classic alumni game. Seeing Bernie Parent play, albeit only for 5 minutes, and having Lindros set up LeClair, was one of the best hockey experiences of my adult life. That season has a really sour ending, but was also maybe the most fun season in recent years, even more than the 2009/2010 run, just because of the roster makeup, especially Jagr.
- jmatchett383

Putting the playoff results aside, and looking back to the years prior to 2009, some of my favorite seasons were:

75-76: Watching the LCB line dominate and crushing the Soviets were the highlights of that season. If only Parent and Macleish could have stayed healthy....

79-80: The Streak was just so much fun, plus Quinn's system was fun to watch and the games were often wide open. Oh yeah, and go (frank) yourself Leon Stickle!!

84-85: The youngest team in the league played like their pants were on fire. It may have come primarily from fear of Keenan, but it was fun to watch. What even made it better was that, going into the season, no one expected them to be anything more than a .500 team. Watching Mark Howe and Tim Kerr in their primes was awesome!

92-93: Yeah, they didn't win a whole lot, but watching Lindros just destroy opponents that year was a blast. Still think they screwed up firing Dineen at the end of the season, he had them playing great down the stretch and was hamstrung by his woefully inconsistent goalies.

94-95: C'mon, who didn't love watching the Legion of Doom. The season may have ended on a sour note, but the ride was fantastic!

03-04: Hitch's best Philly club was loaded with hard working veterans and fun to watch players. If the D had only been able to stay healthy, I really think this club would have brought Philly a cup.

05-06: Another year that didn't end well, but watching the line of Gagne-Forsberg-Knuble dominate the first half of the season was a blast.

07-08: After the year from hell, it was so much fun watching this rebuilt squad come together and exceed expectations by going to the Conference final.

Putting the playoff results aside, and looking back to the years prior to 2009, some of my favorite seasons were:

75-76: Watching the LCB line dominate and crushing the Soviets were the highlights of that season. If only Parent and Macleish could have stayed healthy....

79-80: The Streak was just so much fun, plus Quinn's system was fun to watch and the games were often wide open. Oh yeah, and go (frank) yourself Leon Stickle!!

84-85: The youngest team in the league played like their pants were on fire. It may have come primarily from fear of Keenan, but it was fun to watch. What even made it better was that, going into the season, no one expected them to be anything more than a .500 team. Watching Mark Howe and Tim Kerr in their primes was awesome!

92-93: Yeah, they didn't win a whole lot, but watching Lindros just destroy opponents that year was a blast. Still think they screwed up firing Dineen at the end of the season, he had them playing great down the stretch and was hamstrung by his woefully inconsistent goalies.

94-95: C'mon, who didn't love watching the Legion of Doom. The season may have ended on a sour note, but the ride was fantastic!

03-04: Hitch's best Philly club was loaded with hard working veterans and fun to watch players. If the D had only been able to stay healthy, I really think this club would have brought Philly a cup.

05-06: Another year that didn't end well, but watching the line of Gagne-Forsberg-Knuble dominate the first half of the season was a blast.

07-08: After the year from hell, it was so much fun watching this rebuilt squad come together and exceed expectations by going to the Conference final.
- BiggE

In 07-08 when Jason Smith blocked that shot and while prone, wracked that puck into the opposing goal, I knew we were back.

In 07-08 when Jason Smith blocked that shot and while prone, wracked that puck into the opposing goal, I knew we were back.
- flyers4487

In 07-08 when Jason Smith blocked that shot and while prone, wracked that puck into the opposing goal, I knew we were back.
- flyers4487

Without looking, I'm gonna say that was his only goal of the season, a good 180-footer.

Without looking, I'm gonna say that was his only goal of the season, a good 180-footer.
- jmatchett383

That would be correct. He and Hatcher were all out warriors that season. Both played through debilitating injury and many of the younger players commented on how much of an inspiration they both were.

The 11-12 elimination by the Devils drove me nuts.

That would be correct. He and Hatcher were all out warriors that season. Both played through debilitating injury and many of the younger players commented on how much of an inspiration they both were.
- BiggE

He was the perfect bridge captain for what we needed.

I know hommer is not perfect, and the previous years team played much worse then they were capable of, that was one hell of a rebuild on the fly.

That would be correct. He and Hatcher were all out warriors that season. Both played through debilitating injury and many of the younger players commented on how much of an inspiration they both were.
- BiggE

The person I felt so bad for was Jaroslav Modry. His grandfather was dying in the hospital and you were pulling so hard for the guy, but he just wasn't good, at all, during those playoffs.

It was the Refs fault.

He was the perfect bridge captain for what we needed.

I know hommer is not perfect, and the previous years team played much worse then they were capable of, that was one hell of a rebuild on the fly.
- flyers4487

I mean its obvious what was sacrificed in order to rebuild quickly...but it sure was entertaining

Putting the playoff results aside, and looking back to the years prior to 2009, some of my favorite seasons were:

75-76: Watching the LCB line dominate and crushing the Soviets were the highlights of that season. If only Parent and Macleish could have stayed healthy....

79-80: The Streak was just so much fun, plus Quinn's system was fun to watch and the games were often wide open. Oh yeah, and go (frank) yourself Leon Stickle!!

84-85: The youngest team in the league played like their pants were on fire. It may have come primarily from fear of Keenan, but it was fun to watch. What even made it better was that, going into the season, no one expected them to be anything more than a .500 team. Watching Mark Howe and Tim Kerr in their primes was awesome!

92-93: Yeah, they didn't win a whole lot, but watching Lindros just destroy opponents that year was a blast. Still think they screwed up firing Dineen at the end of the season, he had them playing great down the stretch and was hamstrung by his woefully inconsistent goalies.

94-95: C'mon, who didn't love watching the Legion of Doom. The season may have ended on a sour note, but the ride was fantastic!

03-04: Hitch's best Philly club was loaded with hard working veterans and fun to watch players. If the D had only been able to stay healthy, I really think this club would have brought Philly a cup.

05-06: Another year that didn't end well, but watching the line of Gagne-Forsberg-Knuble dominate the first half of the season was a blast.

07-08: After the year from hell, it was so much fun watching this rebuilt squad come together and exceed expectations by going to the Conference final.
- BiggE

that Joffrey Lupul OT winner was such a relief goal, being up 3-1 and almost losing the series.

going one year further, in 08-09, that pgh series is still a hard pill to swallow. dan carcillo with one of the worst timed fights in the history of the playoffs. still think if we couldve won that game, a lot of doubt would be in their heads going back for game 7, a game in which anything couldve happened.

that Joffrey Lupul OT winner was such a relief goal, being up 3-1 and almost losing the series.

going one year further, in 08-09, that pgh series is still a hard pill to swallow. dan carcillo with one of the worst timed fights in the history of the playoffs. still think if we couldve won that game, a lot of doubt would be in their heads going back for game 7, a game in which anything couldve happened.
- sjk540

It was not the best time for a fight, but they still should have forced a Game 7. You're up 3-0, at home, you need to close it out.

going one year further, in 08-09, that pgh series is still a hard pill to swallow. dan carcillo with one of the worst timed fights in the history of the playoffs. still think if we couldve won that game, a lot of doubt would be in their heads going back for game 7, a game in which anything couldve happened.
- sjk540

Ugh, that game was brutal.

The fight might have been poorly timed, but it'd been nice if Flyers could have popped another goal in once they let in the first one.