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Forums :: Blog World :: Bill Meltzer: Quick Hits: Venue Shift, Giroux, Prospects and More
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Bill Meltzer
Editor
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Joined: 07.13.2006

Apr 14 @ 9:58 AM ET
Bill Meltzer: Quick Hits: Venue Shift, Giroux, Prospects and More
BiggE
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: SELL THE DAMN TEAM!
Joined: 04.17.2012

Apr 14 @ 10:06 AM ET
Great stuff Bill and you were spot on with your assessment of the calls.

Also, Carter Hart, holy (frank) I can't wait to see that kid play pro!!

I was really impressed with the following last night:

-Elliott's play getting stronger as the game went on

-Konecny bouncing back from his bonehead penalty to score a huge goal

-the overall play of Patrick

-Ivan Provorov's stellar effort, 27+ minutes and I don't think he made one bad play

and most of all
-Sean Couturier's Bobby Clarke like effort last night!! It's one thing for a #1 Dman to play over 27 minutes, but it's almost unheard of to see that kind of number for a forward, especially when those minutes include a healthy chunk of hard fought PK time. He was simply brilliant in all 3 zones.
Giroux_Is_God
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: CLASS DISMISSED
Joined: 12.15.2011

Apr 14 @ 10:11 AM ET
Hart's numbers are unbelievable
PLindbergh31
Location: NJ
Joined: 02.01.2008

Apr 14 @ 10:12 AM ET
This team is very resilient. Have to respect that. Just like game 1 was only one game. So was game 2. Have to give Hakstol props for sticking with the same lineup. Lots of people have questioned his lineup decisions and rightfully so at times. But I think there is something said for staying even keeled.

Couturier and Provorov were monsters last night. The PK was the best it’s been all year.
Good for Elliott, playing very well last night. He’s prob not 100% but I think the team believes in the guy.
77rams
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: There's a kind of freedom in being completely screwed...
Joined: 09.12.2006

Apr 14 @ 10:13 AM ET
4) Overall, the officiating in Game 2 was adequate. Wes McCauley did his usual strong job, and Tim Peel did his usual flighty job but they communicated well. My take on the other calls worth discussing:

The one we really got away with with was Provy's early cross check to a Pen's (?) back into the side boards. I held my breath on that one. How that escaped two pairs of "watchful" eyes was surprising to me.

77rams
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: There's a kind of freedom in being completely screwed...
Joined: 09.12.2006

Apr 14 @ 10:15 AM ET
Hart's numbers are unbelievable
- Giroux_Is_God


Hopefully, they'll translate well here.
landros 2
Season Ticket Holder
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: Centre of universe
Joined: 02.07.2007

Apr 14 @ 10:16 AM ET
I thought the Giroux hit on Letang could have concussed Letang...it looked like his head bounced off the ice.
Giroux_Is_God
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: CLASS DISMISSED
Joined: 12.15.2011

Apr 14 @ 10:17 AM ET
Hopefully, they'll translate well here.
- 77rams

I'm not going to pretend to be a scout but lots of people say his lateral movement is lightning and his puck tracking skills are tremendous. If that's the case, he's going to be real good right?
BiggE
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: SELL THE DAMN TEAM!
Joined: 04.17.2012

Apr 14 @ 10:20 AM ET
I'm not going to pretend to be a scout but lots of people say his lateral movement is lightning and his puck tracking skills are tremendous. If that's the case, he's going to be real good right?
- Giroux_Is_God


Absolutely. And just as important is that scouts say he's unflappable. He just shakes off the very rare bad goal and doesn't let it bug him. He's also very sound positionally too. There really is no weakness to his game.
landros 2
Season Ticket Holder
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: Centre of universe
Joined: 02.07.2007

Apr 14 @ 10:20 AM ET
Great stuff Bill and you were spot on with your assessment of the calls.

Also, Carter Hart, holy (frank) I can't wait to see that kid play pro!!

I was really impressed with the following last night:

-Elliott's play getting stronger as the game went on

-Konecny bouncing back from his bonehead penalty to score a huge goal

-the overall play of Patrick

-Ivan Provorov's stellar effort, 27+ minutes and I don't think he made one bad play

and most of all
-Sean Couturier's Bobby Clarke like effort last night!! It's one thing for a #1 Dman to play over 27 minutes, but it's almost unheard of to see that kind of number for a forward, especially when those minutes include a healthy chunk of hard fought PK time. He was simply brilliant in all 3 zones.

- BiggE



All true....the Flyers need Elliott to continue at that level....a little puck luck as well...Crosby missed an empty net, a break a away and had a post late in the game on a wicked back hand...the Hockey gods seemed to even things up after it was apparent all the bounces went against the Flyers in game one.
landros 2
Season Ticket Holder
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: Centre of universe
Joined: 02.07.2007

Apr 14 @ 10:24 AM ET
I'm not going to pretend to be a scout but lots of people say his lateral movement is lightning and his puck tracking skills are tremendous. If that's the case, he's going to be real good right?
- Giroux_Is_God


He’s one of those goalies that gets in to guys heads...they feel they have to make that perfect shot to beat him....he’s intimidating to say the least. Hopefully his game translates quickly to the pro game....I think it will. As you pointed out he’s so sound technically for a kid that age.
landros 2
Season Ticket Holder
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: Centre of universe
Joined: 02.07.2007

Apr 14 @ 10:25 AM ET
4) Overall, the officiating in Game 2 was adequate. Wes McCauley did his usual strong job, and Tim Peel did his usual flighty job but they communicated well. My take on the other calls worth discussing:

The one we really got away with with was Provy's early cross check to a Pen's (?) back into the side boards. I held my breath on that one. How that escaped two pairs of "watchful" eyes was surprising to me.

- 77rams



I thought it could have been called......one of those ones that’s probably a penalty in the regular season.
BiggE
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: SELL THE DAMN TEAM!
Joined: 04.17.2012

Apr 14 @ 10:26 AM ET
He’s one of those goalies that gets in to guys heads...they feel they have to make that perfect shot to beat him....he’s intimidating to say the least. Hopefully his game translates quickly to the pro game....I think it will. As you pointed out he’s so sound technically for a kid that age.
- landros 2


I won't be surprised a bit if he lights it up in the AHL next season and he's the Flyers starting goalie by the beginning of the 19-20 season. I really think he's that good.
drunkberg
Philadelphia Flyers
Joined: 11.02.2017

Apr 14 @ 10:30 AM ET
I'm kind of pissed Regis didn't go full crosby bj on couturiers pass to patrick for the ppg. If sid did that I think I would've vomited after his commentary.
hereticpride
New Jersey Devils
Location: HEY. Does this pole still work?, NJ
Joined: 01.14.2011

Apr 14 @ 10:37 AM ET
I can't wait until Frost replaces one of the blockheads in our bottom six. When you have guys like that you can plug in on the 3rd line(which is where I imagine he ends up with our depth chart) you know your team is moving in the right direction.

And you can't be anything but thrilled with Hart. From what I understand his defense in front of him is considered to be very strong and the backup goalie apparently also has strong numbers from what I've heard. That's the only thing tempering my excitement a little bit. Kid is no doubt the most important prospect in our system right now.
77rams
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: There's a kind of freedom in being completely screwed...
Joined: 09.12.2006

Apr 14 @ 10:40 AM ET
This team is very resilient. Have to respect that. Just like game 1 was only one game. So was game 2. Have to give Hakstol props for sticking with the same lineup. Lots of people have questioned his lineup decisions and rightfully so at times. But I think there is something said for staying even keeled.
- PLindbergh31


I haven't been the best Hakstol supporter since his hire - he's still on double secret probation with me - but I agree here and must give him full marks for keeping the lineup intact. It gave the players an opportunity to put the first game behind them and make their own personal and adjustments to show what they are capable of doing.

To show faith in your players is important at this time and I'm certain they appreciated the fact that he didn't panic and make wholesale changes. Hopefully, their confidence will extend itself to Sunday's game and thereafter.
flyershockey
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: smh, NC
Joined: 07.09.2006

Apr 14 @ 10:43 AM ET
4) Overall, the officiating in Game 2 was adequate. Wes McCauley did his usual strong job, and Tim Peel did his usual flighty job but they communicated well. My take on the other calls worth discussing:

The one we really got away with with was Provy's early cross check to a Pen's (?) back into the side boards. I held my breath on that one. How that escaped two pairs of "watchful" eyes was surprising to me.

- 77rams



i didnt think that was a penalty, but to let that go and then give the pp to flyers for boarding is pretty inexcusable from a consistency standpoint.
Marc D
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: best smile, 14 without fake tees
Joined: 03.28.2008

Apr 14 @ 10:46 AM ET
I was especially impressed with Elliott’s bounce back game, and the play of all the guys in the PK. Those two areas are the ones I had the least faith in, and I am so happy to be proven wrong.

Couts I think had an amazing bounce back game as well.

The young players seem to have a better idea about playoff hockey and looked better in the 2nd game. Provy, Gost, Sanheim, Patrick, TK, and Lindblom are all are going to be part of a championship here hopefully, and this series is a good building block.

Invaluable experience for these guys.

Wish Morin had not been injured and was part of this, but next year I guess.
hereticpride
New Jersey Devils
Location: HEY. Does this pole still work?, NJ
Joined: 01.14.2011

Apr 14 @ 10:58 AM ET
I'm still not sure I'm fully on board with the embellishment call on Hornqvist. During the regular season I don't think there is a snowballs chance in hell that gets called as embellishment. And Hornqvist doesn't have eyes in the back of his head. I just don't believe he had the time to decide to launch himself into the boards there. I have to look at it as if it were one of our guys getting hit there. I'd be livid with that call.

Bottom line AMac cant be cross checking guys in the numbers in that spot of the ice. If Hornqvist doesn't pick up the embellishment call that's a bad penalty to take. There are other refs who I could've seen calling that 5 and a game in all honesty.
dramado
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: Paradise, NF
Joined: 03.16.2018

Apr 14 @ 11:08 AM ET
I don’t think it was how he launched into the boards. I think it’s the way he bounced himself off the boards that lead to the embellishment call. He looked pretty silly in how he did that.
nastyflyergirl
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: this space for rent, PA
Joined: 09.19.2006

Apr 14 @ 11:11 AM ET
I thought it was clear as day he launched himself then flopped

that first penalty call that led to the Flyers PP goal was ridiculously bad.
hereticpride
New Jersey Devils
Location: HEY. Does this pole still work?, NJ
Joined: 01.14.2011

Apr 14 @ 11:13 AM ET
I don’t think it was how he launched into the boards. I think it’s the way he bounced himself off the boards that lead to the embellishment call. He looked pretty silly in how he did that.
- dramado

Maybe there's a point there. True.

I guess I have a bigger issue with the embellishment call in general. If there is a legit infraction then what does it matter if the guy embellishes afterwards or not? Save the embellishment calls for when a guy tries to draw a penalty that isn't there. AMac deserved a penalty for the cross check from behind by the boards. That's not a safe play.
Ftown19125
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Joined: 09.17.2013

Apr 14 @ 11:26 AM ET
I thought it was clear as day he launched himself then flopped

that first penalty call that led to the Flyers PP goal was ridiculously bad.

- nastyflyergirl


Agree. That’s why I didn’t necessarily mind the Simmonds penalty after Malkin flopped.
landros 2
Season Ticket Holder
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: Centre of universe
Joined: 02.07.2007

Apr 14 @ 11:27 AM ET
Maybe there's a point there. True.

I guess I have a bigger issue with the embellishment call in general. If there is a legit infraction then what does it matter if the guy embellishes afterwards or not? Save the embellishment calls for when a guy tries to draw a penalty that isn't there. AMac deserved a penalty for the cross check from behind by the boards. That's not a safe play.

- hereticpride



here's the rub with Embellishment calls.....Its Patrick Hornquist. So when a guy like that is involved sometimes calls are "reputation" calls. That reputation by the way is well earned. so if at the end your flailing your arms to obviously help sell what was a legit penalty....that's embellishment.
landros 2
Season Ticket Holder
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: Centre of universe
Joined: 02.07.2007

Apr 14 @ 11:29 AM ET
Agree. That’s why I didn’t necessarily mind the Simmonds penalty after Malkin flopped.
- Ftown19125


I was fine with him punching Frankenstein in the face in that moment.....it's game 2 of what could be a long series...now I do think you have to pick your spots, but you still need to bring that element to the game if you have any shot of winning.
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