We used to hate Mario because he would always torch us (just like every other team) until that day he got chemo in the morning, chartered a flight to Philly, and came out and was by far the best player on the ice. Hard to hate a guy after that. And like you said, he'd put up 2 goals and an assist and we'd still win 5-3.

We never had any rivalry with the Penguins during Mario's days because, once the Penguins started to climb, they Flyers went into their 5-year dark era. By the time we rebounded, we were in different divisions, so we didn't build the same rivalry that we had with New Jersey during the 90's.

I get the Crosby hate. I was at his first game in Philly when Hatcher smashed him. Once you saw him whining at the refs like that as an 18-year-old, that's basically you painting a target on your back. And the league catered to him in his early years, no doubt. But really, to me, I can't say I hate him any more because he's matured into what he was billed as, one of the best to ever play. The two Penguins I really despise are Malkin and Letang. Malkin is probably one of the sneakiest dirty players in the league (elbows and slew foots galore) and Letang has perfected the head-snap when a glove or stick comes anywhere close to his face.

But I wouldn't say I hated guys like Dupuis, MAF, Guerin, Staal, and Orpik during their Penguin days. I may not have LIKED them, but I didn't hate them simply for being on the Penguins. When it comes to the Rags and Devils, I hate them somply fgor the jersey they wear. Oddly enough, I respect some guys on those teams (like Lundquist and Daneyko) but I still hate them and wish them nothing but ill fortune on the ice.
- jmatchett383

Growing up watching Mario I can say I never hated him like I hate Crosby. Not even close. Mario never offered a reason to hate him. He was an amazing player and they almost literally never beat the Flyers.

I respect Crosby's game. He is a great player. I agree with on you the Rangers. I hate the jersey. Doesn't matter who is wearing it. I think the Devils hate was based on the Brodeur teams. I don't hate them right now because they stink.

I also hate the Canadiens. At least this series we won't be subjected to "Montreal rules" for the road games. I also love that no Canadian team has won the cup since 1993. I just think it is funny that Canada hasn't won the cup for so long. It's like the US not winning a football title for 27 years.

Growing up watching Mario I can say I never hated him like I hate Crosby. Not even close. Mario never offered a reason to hate him. He was an amazing player and they almost literally never beat the Flyers.

I respect Crosby's game. He is a great player. I agree with on you the Rangers. I hate the jersey. Doesn't matter who is wearing it. I think the Devils hate was based on the Brodeur teams. I don't hate them right now because they stink.

I also hate the Canadiens. At least this series we won't be subjected to "Montreal rules" for the road games. I also love that no Canadian team has won the cup since 1993. I just think it is funny that Canada hasn't won the cup for so long. It's like the US not winning a football title for 27 years.
- mickel25

I'd put Toronto ahead of Montreal, but that's their fan base as much as the team. They're beyond delusional and it's impossible to have an unbiased, civil conversation with them (and (frank) Tie Domi). Beating them in 2004 was fantastic.

I don't know, I just can't hate EVERY Penguin the way I hate EVERY Ranger.

I'd put Toronto ahead of Montreal, but that's their fan base as much as the team. They're beyond delusional and it's impossible to have an unbiased, civil conversation with them (and (frank) Tie Domi). Beating them in 2004 was fantastic.

I don't know, I just can't hate EVERY Penguin the way I hate EVERY Ranger.
- jmatchett383

The Maple Leafs are the Mets of hockey. They think they are the Canadians but have none of the titles.

The Maple Leafs are the Mets of hockey. They think they are the Canadians but have none of the titles.
- mickel25

haha that's a fantastic analogy.

Also, to clarify: When I said we "hated" Mario, I meant we hated how well he played against us, never as a person.

haha that's a fantastic analogy.

Also, to clarify: When I said we "hated" Mario, I meant we hated how well he played against us, never as a person.
- jmatchett383

I knew what you meant. I reserve the hating of people for people that actual deserve it. I say I hate Crosby. I don't hate him as a person. I am sure he is a real nice guy. He just scores far too often against the Flyers to be likable.

The Pens are just annoying. They kept getting generational talents and getting saved by the league. Worst part is I paid for there arena. If they were in OKC like they should be I would not hate them.

There are no easy series. All games are going to be close. I think we’d be in t he same position had we faced Toronto or cbj.

I’m reading on sports net comments from some habs fans saying they’ll sweep us because they beat Pitt in 4.

It won’t be easy but I think we’ll win this series.
- Hextall271

not sure where you get your news but everything I've read so far has the Flyers winning

Growing up watching Mario I can say I never hated him like I hate Crosby. Not even close. Mario never offered a reason to hate him. He was an amazing player and they almost literally never beat the Flyers.

I respect Crosby's game. He is a great player. I agree with on you the Rangers. I hate the jersey. Doesn't matter who is wearing it. I think the Devils hate was based on the Brodeur teams. I don't hate them right now because they stink.

I also hate the Canadiens. At least this series we won't be subjected to "Montreal rules" for the road games. I also love that no Canadian team has won the cup since 1993. I just think it is funny that Canada hasn't won the cup for so long. It's like the US not winning a football title for 27 years.
- mickel25

hard to do with NO teams outside of the US vs 7 teams in Canada vs 24, soon 25 in the US for hockey.

TO fans need to have an intervention with Matthews and that stache he is sporting.

He looks like a 15 year old migrant worker.

Technically, he is a migrant worker...

We used to hate Mario because he would always torch us (just like every other team) until that day he got chemo in the morning, chartered a flight to Philly, and came out and was by far the best player on the ice. Hard to hate a guy after that. And like you said, he'd put up 2 goals and an assist and we'd still win 5-3.

We never had any rivalry with the Penguins during Mario's days because, once the Penguins started to climb, they Flyers went into their 5-year dark era. By the time we rebounded, we were in different divisions, so we didn't build the same rivalry that we had with New Jersey during the 90's.

I get the Crosby hate. I was at his first game in Philly when Hatcher smashed him. Once you saw him whining at the refs like that as an 18-year-old, that's basically you painting a target on your back. And the league catered to him in his early years, no doubt. But really, to me, I can't say I hate him any more because he's matured into what he was billed as, one of the best to ever play. The two Penguins I really despise are Malkin and Letang. Malkin is probably one of the sneakiest dirty players in the league (elbows and slew foots galore) and Letang has perfected the head-snap when a glove or stick comes anywhere close to his face.

But I wouldn't say I hated guys like Dupuis, MAF, Guerin, Staal, and Orpik during their Penguin days. I may not have LIKED them, but I didn't hate them simply for being on the Penguins. When it comes to the Rags and Devils, I hate them somply fgor the jersey they wear. Oddly enough, I respect some guys on those teams (like Lundquist and Daneyko) but I still hate them and wish them nothing but ill fortune on the ice.
- jmatchett383

Have to add a historical reference to Matt (efing) Cooke

We used to hate Mario because he would always torch us (just like every other team) until that day he got chemo in the morning, chartered a flight to Philly, and came out and was by far the best player on the ice. Hard to hate a guy after that. And like you said, he'd put up 2 goals and an assist and we'd still win 5-3.

We never had any rivalry with the Penguins during Mario's days because, once the Penguins started to climb, they Flyers went into their 5-year dark era. By the time we rebounded, we were in different divisions, so we didn't build the same rivalry that we had with New Jersey during the 90's.

I get the Crosby hate. I was at his first game in Philly when Hatcher smashed him. Once you saw him whining at the refs like that as an 18-year-old, that's basically you painting a target on your back. And the league catered to him in his early years, no doubt. But really, to me, I can't say I hate him any more because he's matured into what he was billed as, one of the best to ever play. The two Penguins I really despise are Malkin and Letang. Malkin is probably one of the sneakiest dirty players in the league (elbows and slew foots galore) and Letang has perfected the head-snap when a glove or stick comes anywhere close to his face.

But I wouldn't say I hated guys like Dupuis, MAF, Guerin, Staal, and Orpik during their Penguin days. I may not have LIKED them, but I didn't hate them simply for being on the Penguins. When it comes to the Rags and Devils, I hate them somply fgor the jersey they wear. Oddly enough, I respect some guys on those teams (like Lundquist and Daneyko) but I still hate them and wish them nothing but ill fortune on the ice.
- jmatchett383

I Remember chanting at the Spectrum Mario... Come out and playyyyy...
Like the Warriors movie. So we did break his stones, though I think we never really hated on him like Cindy.

hard to do with NO teams outside of the US vs 7 teams in Canada vs 24, soon 25 in the US for hockey.
- Symba007

I meant football is the favorite American sport. As big as hockey in Canada. If it helps you could use basketball or baseball for the analogy. Either way you slice it I enjoy that no Canadian team has won a cup in 27 years.

Have to add a historical reference to Matt (efing) Cooke
- missingmike

Oh, (frank) Matt Cooke, and Chris Kunitz, and Aaron Asham, and James Neal.

Oh, (frank) Matt Cooke, and Chris Kunitz, and Aaron Asham, and James Neal.
- jmatchett383

I hate James Neal. I mean actually hate. Look at that dude's stupid face.

I meant football is the favorite American sport. As big as hockey in Canada. If it helps you could use basketball or baseball for the analogy. Either way you slice it I enjoy that no Canadian team has won a cup in 27 years.
- mickel25

Just wait until the CFL merges with the NFL.

Just wait until the CFL merges with the NFL.
- jmatchett383

Do you think the CFL teams would struggle with the extra down?

The Maple Leafs are the Mets of hockey. They think they are the Canadians but have none of the titles.
- mickel25

That's fantastic. What they have though is lots of money. We know with the Flyers that money doesn't guarantee anything.

Do you think the CFL teams would struggle with the extra down?
- mickel25

For the TV contract, they'd cope.

I'd put Toronto ahead of Montreal, but that's their fan base as much as the team. They're beyond delusional and it's impossible to have an unbiased, civil conversation with them (and (frank) Tie Domi). Beating them in 2004 was fantastic.

I don't know, I just can't hate EVERY Penguin the way I hate EVERY Ranger.
- jmatchett383

This. I hate the Rags with every fiber of my being.

I Remember chanting at the Spectrum Mario... Come out and playyyyy...
Like the Warriors movie. So we did break his stones, though I think we never really hated on him like Cindy.
- BadCowboyDan

I don't like Crosby because he is the kind of player who will hit a guy in the jewels from behind and then hide behind the ref when its time to answer for it.

I don't like Crosby because he is the kind of player who will hit a guy in the jewels from behind and then hide behind the ref when its time to answer for it.
- MBFlyerfan

Exactly. He’s basically Tomas Sandstrom with much more talent.

I don't like Crosby because he is the kind of player who will hit a guy in the jewels from behind and then hide behind the ref when its time to answer for it.
- MBFlyerfan

I'm not going to disagree with this, but I will say that I don't think that's him any more. Earlier in his career, even up until the 2012 playoff series, he was this guy (although B Schenn turned down an offer from him). I think he's matured to where he doesn't need to do that any more after he saw how the Bruins goaded him in 2013.

Not saying he's a modern-day Jean beliveau, I just don't think he's the whiny cheap player he once was.

That's fantastic. What they have though is lots of money. We know with the Flyers that money doesn't guarantee anything.
- MJL

That's why I like the hard cap the NHL has. You need to make the right draft and salary decisions.

https://m.youtube.com/wat...e=youtu.be&v=R-VXIJg8148#

I'm not going to disagree with this, but I will say that I don't think that's him any more. Earlier in his career, even up until the 2012 playoff series, he was this guy (although B Schenn turned down an offer from him). I think he's matured to where he doesn't need to do that any more after he saw how the Bruins goaded him in 2013.

Not saying he's a modern-day Jean beliveau, I just don't think he's the whiny cheap player he once was.
- jmatchett383

Yeah I was going to pretty much post something similar. I definitely don't hate him the way I did earlier in his career. He really toned down the whining to refs and cheap shots. Even though I think most of his cheap shots were the result of someone cheap shotting him first.

I think he's a very likeable player now.

I meant football is the favorite American sport. As big as hockey in Canada. If it helps you could use basketball or baseball for the analogy. Either way you slice it I enjoy that no Canadian team has won a cup in 27 years.
- mickel25

I wonder how many cups those "American" teams would've won if you removed all of the Canadian players from their rosters...