ladyneat's Blog

Pics
http://www.flickr.com/photos/neat1325/sets/72157603264
955732/

Vids
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cLpqeIUytBY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Z5TkzW9pwc


I got there VERY early!  There was open hockey for kids with their parents.  It looked fun.

Zamboni goes out the training center staff set up the water bottles and things.  next thing you know the players are out sitting on the bench waiting for the Zamboni to finish.

The players were so helpful they even went and got the net and set them up. 
They get on 10 minutes earlier then schedule 10:50 am

Lines
Dark Blue
Lupul, Briere and Hartnell

Green
Umberger, Carter, Kapanen

Red
Tolpeko, Cote, Dowd, Eager

Orange
Upshall, Richards and Knuble

Black
Jones, Boulerice, Hatcher, Kukkonen, Fitzpatrick, Smith, Nitty, and Biron

NO TIMONEN!

There seemed to be a good feeling going around again today. There were lots of light hearted moments.

Richards teamed with Upshall was just knock your socks off fabulous. 
The drills seemed to be the normal ones to get things started I am not sure what the D worked on down the other end but the forwards worked on a new cycle system.  It seemed to work out pretty well.  Lots of trust between players on the line to know exactly where each other is for that pass.

Practice ends with Stretching.  It didn't seem like there was one leader for stretches.

Then post practice areas began.  The end where I was became post practice 3 on 3.  I am not sure what hte other end was trying to achieve.

Post practice 3 on 3 consisted of
Nitty in net
The forwards team
Knuble, Cote and Upshall
vs
The D men team of
Hatcher, Boulerice and Kukkonen

The forwards won.  Nitty had a pretty strong outing.  Boulerice was less then pleased with the results at the end and displayed his displeasure.

I then went and waited outside for autographs.  It was a pretty large group waiting today. Coach Mullen, Lasse Kukkonen, Sami Kapanen and Braydon Coburn all stopped before I left.  Many players went out the other way today. 
Hope everyone has a safe and Happy Thanksgiving!

OK It has been a busy couple of days. Here are all the links todays and

yesterday's practice pics are not updated with who is in pics and titles as of the time I am typing this report. 
Pics
11/10/07 Practice
http://www.flickr.com/photos/neat1325/sets/72157603067
689185/


11/10/07 Game
http://www.flickr.com/photos/neat1325/sets/72157603075
918863/


11/11/07 Practice
http://www.flickr.com/photos/neat1325/sets/72157603095
473097/


Videos
11/10/07 Pregame Warmups
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UaRclhsEZ6s

11/11/07 Practice
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AO0QG61vXDw

First my thanks to jeletsgoflyers and Ann Marie very nice to meet you both today.  Thanks to NTP and Julie from Hockeybuzz very nice to meet both of you last night.  HF good to see you as always. 
In my laziness to not stand in line for Autographs yesterday  I missed someone I needed Jason Smith so shout out to him hope you stop again sometime when I go. 
Ok 11/10 practice Report
Observations there was quite a few out of town folks in to watch practice.  Lots of other languages going on.   The one language I recognized was French of all the groups.  Very cool to see so many out of town fans.
Game day practice was light, really light. 
Jeff Carter was the first one out.   He dumped the whole thing of Pucks shot them all messed around a little and got off.

lasted max 30 minutes and I am not even sure it lasted that long.

Patricipants were Kukonen, Timonen, Jones, Coburn, Nitty, Cote, Ruzicka, Tolpeko and Eager. 
They seemed to be working on transitioning from the D zone to the offensive zone. 
The last two on working with the coaches were Cote and Nitty.

11/10/07 Game vs Pens

My best observation here was that there seemed to be stronger commitment to one another.  My example was during one of the PK's that 3 of the 4 people defending went down to block shots in front of Biron.  It almost looked like synchronized shot blocking.  I remember that there was quite a big deal made about that during the 06 Stanley Cup finals so I took that as a great positive sign. 
I would have liked to have seen a little more 5 on 5 offensive pressure but I think the team played awesome.  I give credit to Richards for showing restraint at the end.  

11/11/07 Practice
Practice lasted maybe 45 minutes.  It was good.  Things were pretty light hearted today.  There was alot of messing with Marty Biron via Jeff Carter, Scottie Upshall and Mike Richards. 
Biggest thing I notice today NO DANNY BRIERE!!!!
2nd biggest things Stevens messed with the lines

Orange= Ruzicka. Carter, Upshall

Dark Blue=Lupul, Dowd, Umberger

Green=Hartnell, Richards, Knuble

Red=Cote, Eager, Boulerice

Black= Smith, Kukkonen, Nitty, Biron, Coburn, Timonen, Fitzpatrick, Jones

I will say the one drill for 2 on ones Richards and Upshall were partners just about every time and they were flat out awesome to watch. 
I think I took enough pics you can tell what went on.

Upshall led stretches

Stevens and Smith had a pretty long chat after the stretches while watching the 2 mini stations go on.

Afterwards I decided to stay for autographs.  Randy Jones, Lasse Kukkonen, Jim Dowd, and Riley Cote all were awesome enough to stop.  The only one I got for me was Dowd.  I just need Hartnell, Timonen, Briere and Smith to complete my jersey.

Don't forget allstar voting opens Tuesday support the Flyers and write in Mike Richards

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nRCmReg2Ms4

Pics

Game
http://www.flickr.com/photos/neat1325/sets/721576030759
18863/

Practice
http://www.flickr.com/photos/neat1325/sets/721576030676
89185/

 

Video pre game warmup

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UaRclhsEZ6s

> 

Flyers played really well.  You could see that they were all in it for each other.  I wish I had my camera out on the one penalty kill where 3 of the 4 defenders went down to block shots all at the same time.  That is team work and commitment. 

 Also Allstar Voting opens Tuesday.  Vote for Mike Richards!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nRCmReg2Ms4

9/21/07 Flyers training camp report

First let me apologize to Mr. no number on the helmet I just learned as I write this that you are Rory Fitzpatrick. I apologize for calling you Nate Guenin.

Pictures
http://www.flickr.com/pho...5/sets/72157602101960908/<
/a>
Videos
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M4OoSXi8Ls4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LsJIE9a5MTQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zq8DZu55B58
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PX8ZBadvyfo
(the skate drill where timonen got hurt but not actual footage)


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WUYsekYLRe8








Today was scheduled as a 10:30 practice Nitty was the first one on @ 10:15.

The first few people on today started out with shots from redline or further down and into the net.

Then back to high and wide. Then I started doing video it seemed like there was suddenly more thought and care put into the shots.

The socks almost everyone wore the stripe to the back today Richard’s red line set the trend.

Missing today
Jeff Carter and Jim Dowd

Lines for the pictures

White
Cote, Cabana, Boulerice

Red
Lupul, Richards, Upshall

Green
Hartnell, Umberger, Kapanen

Baby Blue
Eager, Downie, Giroux

Dark Blue
Briere, Gagne, Knuble

D pairings
Timonen and Smith
Jones and Kukkonen
Lars and Fitzpatrick
Piacrd and Gauthier

The drills today seemed to be bent towards battling in the offensive and defensive zones. These battles were often quite spirited and a little fun mixed in.

Eager has a really relentless one about the 1st or 2nd go round on the drill was very good.

Upshall and Richards teaming up resulted in lots of offense through grinding it out. A few D men were less then happy with the results of those battles.

Practice today was as physical as I had seen any Flyers practice since rookie camp.

Zamboni came out and just dry scraped the ice everyone sat on the bench during this period.

Somewhere during this time Ben Eager disappeared not sure what happened to him.

The Red line of Richards, Upshall and Lupul looked so on point today.

The pace and demeanor of today’s practice was more intense and focused. There were still fun things going on IE Biron and Richards exchange about a little help for a puck.

Stevens and Mullen were active participants in a drill on positioning they were acting as the D men while the D men were doing something else at the other end of the ice.

Again to end the day was a long skating drill. Richards and Coburn were extremely fast.

Niitty took down timonen during this skating drill. McCrossin was on the bench came on to the ice to get him off.

Hatcher led the stretches.

Then of course after practice fun, again it is another season of 3 d vs. 3 O.
Today’s match up featured the ever electric Derian Hatcher and his new partner Braydon Coburn their third was Gauthier. Knuble’s team featured RJ Umberger and Steve Downie. Brian Boucher was the honored goalkeeper.
The D men still won again with some really nice goals.

It was a good day. I did not stay for after practice autographs 1 due to the amount of people. At least double the 5 people that had waited yesterday if not closer to triple.

Not sure when my next report will be right now but it will be soon I promise.
-------------------------------------------------------
------------------

Update carter is injured Ok my inside source says this

Jeff was in philly friday getting MRIs...something is wrong with his hip/hips and they don't know what.

9/20/07 Philadelphia Flyers training Camp Report

Pictures
http://www.flickr.com/photos/neat1325/sets/72157602089
563404/

Videos
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7zp2Ni3fJAA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xNErUHwUCw4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sPsav4zr42w
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ELVUQ0kBWWg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MI6TzCgIS60





10 am scheduled. Jim Dowd first one on the ice came out @ 10:14 everyone started filtering out around 10:18 or so. Niitty and Cote were the 2nd and 3rd players on the ice.

Cote is sporting a pretty banged up black eye.

The crowd was pretty sparse. Not deserted but compared with what I had seen Sunday not hardly anyone.

New Baby Blue Practice Jersey!!! Very nice I liked that look too.

I recognize almost everyone today with the reduced roster.

Knuble was also sporting a black eye.

As the players were skating around and warming up, they took shots at the net and were majority high and wide.

The atmosphere on the ice seemed loose and playful.

Ok the meat of today.

Red Jersey
Upshall, Richards, Lupul

Baby Blue Jersey
Umberger, Giroux, Eager

Orange Jersey
Hartnell, Carter, Kapanen

Dark Blue Jersey
Knuble, Briere, Gagne

White
Downie, Cote, Dowd, Boulerice


D men and Goalies
Kukkonen, Hatcher, Coburn, Smith, Jones, Timonen, Guenin, Picard
Niitty, Boosh, Biron

Coaches
Murray, Mullen, Lemelin, Stevens, McIlhargey

There were quite a few drills on basics like puck handling while skating and passing while skating.

Lots of drills on breaking out of the zone and different ways to go through that.

Stevens even physically demonstrated how to do the one drill.

Biron and Nitty for the most part were on opposite ends. With Nitty and Boosh switching out.

After an hour they got off and two Zambonis came on and resurfaced. I went and peeked at the Phantoms side and came back.

Lupul had some pretty goals on Boosh.

Goal celebrations seem to be random. Mostly really pretty goals or just odd moments.

D pairings seems to not be consistent and then it seemed to settle to

Smith and Timonen
Hatcher and Coburn
Kukkonen and Jones
Gauthier and Guenin
Picard and Lars


Briere scored on Biron and there were lots of little things going back and forth between them that you could tell was all in fun.

The orange jersey’s show up more of players sweating through their jerseys then the other ones does.


To finish up the official practice there was a massive skating drill lasting 16 minutes.

The red line all put the white stripes on their sock to the back.

The ending stretch was led by Gauthier.

The rookies did pick up all the pucks.

Most of the players got off around 12:50

Then I went outside and waited for Flyers to stop and sign my jersey. My jersey is pretty up to date I just need a couple handfuls of folks to sign.

I want to sincerely thank all the players that took the time to stop/walk by.

That was so awesome of you to do that and it is very much appreciated.

I got Biron, Kukkonen, Coburn, Boucher, and Cote to sign for me. More then that stopped see the pictures.

Ok that is it. Can’t wait to go back tomorrow.

9/16/07 Flyers camp The links of course....

http://www.flickr.com/photos/neat1325/sets/721576020465
04581/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hVuxUNcM1gc http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BHcp_xthv6M http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wgMw6QsG07w

(one more to come wasn't ready yet)

 

First I want to thank Hockey buzz’s own Steal your face off, the young man who was journalism major who went to Cardinal O’Hara (sorry I forgot your name I am bad like that), Chris and Bob for the wonderful company today. Camp was that much more fun for hanging out and talking to all of you. I left my house at 6:30 arrived about 7:40 I made awesome time with no traffic. There was already a line out the door for the meet the Flyers taping. The first group camp out about 8:10. The first thing I noticed was Nitty has new pads. Lots of the players look very trimmed down. They apparently have been working out very hard or it is the new jerseys. Boyd Kane was impressive in the first practice session. Grenier looks like he will be doing another tour with the Phantoms. There were quite a few names on the roster that I don’t recognize but they seemed to be doing very well. Such as Matt Stefanishion and Jon Matsumoto. The 1st Scrimmage started with a 30 min period of 5 on 5 and then a 15 min period of 4 on 4. The real referees again this time were from the AHL. The white team was the winning team in this contest 3-1. Not sure who had the black team goal the white team goals all on Houle were Hatcher, Kapanen, and Giroux. Biron also had new pads (see video). The 2nd practice started and I can say I was eager for it to start. I wanted to see more of my old favorites and what these new guys could do too. The main topic of the conversations around me was that size apparently does matter. Many people commented that they could not believe how small Timmonen was and when Briere came out him too. I felt both performed well so Size shouldn’t matter at all. Time ran over since they came out late Practice ran until 11:15. Got the first look at Boucher, back in O & B. The 2nd scrimmage started late 11:30 so I didn’t get to watch all of it. I saw the first white team goal which was scored by Denis Gautier. Then I went in to meet the Flyers. I will say this much the lobby area was again a three ring circus of things to do but this years camp and meet the flyers taping was super well organized. The line that was going when I came in was fully dispersed a little after 8 am. People could take time to watch camp and then go into the taping. I am a season ticket holder so I reserved my bracelet to get in earlier in the week. It gave me primo seats up front. I sat right behind people I know from the Flyers fan club. There was a ton of seats this year looked like a lot more then they had last year. The watchers for camp had the stands and standing room completely full so I think maybe 200+ people that were at the taping. They showed some of the history of the Flyers video while we were waiting. Michael Barkan and Jonesy hosted the show. Jim Jackson and Coatsey were the side reporters. They showed a video of the one CSN reported interviewing Ed Snider. Then Peter Lukko and Paul Holmgren came out and talked. The crowd was completely rowdy. They did several choruses of Let’s go Flyers through out the show. When John Stevens was out one person yelled out who is going to be captain. John’s answer was that we would know closer to the season start based on who stepped up to take the reigns on the team. Knuble came out and Coatsey poured water on him to demonstrate the new Jerseys I don’t think he told Knuble he was going to do that, Knuble was nothing but a good sport about it. Then Knuble, Briere and Gagne came out. The one comment from this section was that Gagne said that Briere was much more healthy then Forsberg was should be good times (then he tried to retracted stumble over his words) it was interesting. Then they had Scott Hartnell and Kimmo Timmonen come out and talk about them coming to Philly. There were appearances by Carter and Richards during this part. Then Lupul and Smith came out and had appearances by Kapanen and Scottie Upshall. Several females in the audience loudly expressed their love for Mr. Upshall. Then last but not least Nitty and Biron came out. I will say that this pairing looked the most awkward together for whatever reasons. Nitty even talked a lot. It was a good program and the players had lots to say I will let you watch it for yourselves. That is all. I can’t wait to see a more unified team and less people I don’t know.

Rookie camp photos
http://www.flickr.com/photos/neat1325/sets/72157601938
292851/

VIDEO!!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KbCHaWsNsBU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pQ3yL7i9ok0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lqXdQE5Enso
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ohhBmij8fBU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZcKldGxeJW4


The first day of rookie camp

Worked pretty much the same as prospect camp an hour of drills and an hour of scrimmage.  This time no nice rosters with names and numbers.  They looked like they maybe very similar to the assigned numbers from the prospect camp.  Doors were locked on the Flyers side with 70 whom I believe is  Duchesne was working with one of the goaltending coaches.

Both Kjell and Chief were on the ice running the drills.  a noticeable difference for this camp is that the jerseys are orange black and white.  None of the bright red and green.

D men and goalies are still all black. 
High and wide was the main theme of the drills.  There were some pretty goals in there but far and few.  71 had quite a few rebound goals after the goal kept with the pay.  He looked very good in the scrimmage.  47 seemed very quick. 
Switched sides for the scrimmage.  I didn't see the end of the scrimmage I left to go to the Phillies game I was meeting the ticket holder @12:30.
The white team was winning 3-0 when I left .  The first period the black team had lots of offensive pressure but the white team got it done.
The 2nd period was much more physical and there was a good deal of hitting.  Which I felt very good about seeing the physicality of the play.  The white team was coached by Neil Little.  The black team coached by Kjell.  Chief was upstairs for the scrimmage.
Scrimmage had real refs from the ECHL.

I know that sounds like an Oxymoron Hockey in the summer.  I bet you didn't know that teams play all year round.  OUTSIDE!

Not on skates, although there are leagues that have that, but on sneakers.  If you can run you can play hockey.

Here are pictures from my team's game this weekend

http://www.flickr.com/photos/neat1325/set
s/72157601216606950/

There are several places you can play hockey as an adult.  I think that people forget adults love the game and to play too...

Here are some links.   Check them out. 

http://evdhc.com/

http://www.phillysportan
dsocialclub.com/

 http://www.thehockeydek.com/dek
.html

 

 

 

I see all these stories about transfers going away. People complaining that it is going to cost them so much each ride. One why aren't they buying weekly or monthly passes? two why not use tokens vs paying cash both of those will save you $$?

I think that Septa needs to go and learn from NYC transit. They have ezpass for transit riders.

http://www.mta.info/metrocard/EasyPayXpress.htm<
/p>

I think Septa needs a complete overhaul of the system and that people need to go and look at the best systems in the world and take notes and make progress.

The fact that many train stations now no longer have the ticket machines and force you to buy your ticket on the train right there is proof they are in it for the most $ they can make.

Service in the suburbs could be improved and imagine the environmental impact if Septa was more accessible.

Links

http://www.flickr.com/photos/neat1325/sets/72157600720
204954/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hy3OyB4VZPQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=opC6wKLcoVc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDMnv7rm-Ws


There is no video from the first session due to battery conservation.

10 am Group

45= RJ anderson, 58= Oskar Bartulis, 61=Josh Beaulieu, 51= Freddie Cabana, 96=Matt Clackson, 25=Steve Downie, 30=Michael Dupont, 65=Kyle Greentree, 37=Jordan Hart, 47=Mario Kempe, 59=Garrett Klotz, 57=David Laliberte, 41-Joonas Lehtivuori, 67=Scott Munroe, 54=Andreas Nodl, 77=Ryan Parent (no number black Jersey), 11=Ryan Potulny, 53=Denis Tolpeko, 8=Pete Zigoni


Chief, Kjell, Mullen and Little Ran the session on the Flyers side. 

Potulny was a man possesed during the puck drills.

Klotz was clearly the biggest guy out there.

Houle and Munroe were not sharp at all.  Burned almost the whole time.

Cabana, Zigoni, Potluny were the standouts in the session.

Everyone else seemed even with one another.  A few were worse.



Moved to Phantoms side, Mystery coach (who even Coatsey didn't know) and Mullen run skating Drills.

The goalies stayed on the Flyers side and worked with the goaltending coaches. 
Neil was showing Dupont to not go down as a players comes from behind the net to stay up and fill as much of the net as you can.  (vs as one person commented Nitty who goes down to cover low)

The video coach is taping all the drills.

Parent vs Potulny was even
Downie lost both his races
Klotz raced against no one.

It seemed like they went by height then weight.  As they did 2 rounds of races.

Only channel 6 was here for the morning session.
Kempe got hurt and went off with the trainer.
Lehtivuori was last in both his races and just looked horrible during all the skating drills. 
The b group peeks out to see what is going on.

The last skting drill had some stellar complete wipeouts.
It was forward against D with a turn and the D going backwards.  Zigoni got taken out by the other guy puttting a stick between his legs.

I stayed did public session and then on to the B group.  Several people also did the same thing I did. 
Afternoon Session

49= Rejean Beauchemin, 63= Rob Bellamy, 56=Claude Giroux, 52=Tristan Grant, 29=Nate Guenin, 34=Lars Jonsson, 60=Jon Kalinski, 62=Patrick Maroon, 39=Kevin Marshall, 68=Jon Matsumoto, 50=Gino Pisellini, 19=Darroll Powe, 38= Dylan Ruaile, 5=Michael Ratchuk, 64=Jon Rheault, 27=Jared Ross, 14=Stephan Ruzicka, 10=James vanRiemsdyk


Sames coaches on the Flyers side the main difference was Little replaced by Lemelin.

This group looks significantly quicker in speed.

The group looks very even as well.  The standouts are Ratchuk, Patrick Maroon, Rob Bellamy, Kevin Marshall

JVR had the prettiest goal of the puck session.

Switch to the Phantoms side, Mystery coach and Kjell

All the races were very even. 
In the drill with the cones in a triangle Ruzicka had the biggest spray when stopping.  JVR seemed very unsure of himself in that same drill.

Lars got worked on a couple of times by the trainer. 
Bellamy looked like he got a cramp or something when he went to the trainer. 
There was a huge crowd for both sessions.  Some people left and came back some stayed.  The biggest sections of the crowd were different in each session. 

Well we won. 

I was completely surrounded by Buffalo fans. They were next to me in front of me behind me.  I knew it was going to be bad I was hoping it would not be that bad.  They were really loud.  When the Sabres scored you thought you were in buffalo that is how loud the Wachovia center would get.

Things I notice Richards centered Gange and Knuble
Carter still played with upshall and now Ruzicka
cote and eager were now on the same line.

We Looked alot better then the day before but the D men were still not clearing the crease well.

Marty cleared a puck all the way down on the PK.

Kookie almost caused a brawl.

I took pictures and video today because I was all by myself.

The part 1 video has an interesting exchange w/ Biron and Briere.  Sorry about the noises the kids next to me were annoying asking for pucks that Richards got up and went across the ice to finish his stretching.

Pics

http://new.photos.yahoo.com/neat1325/album/57646
0762397026230

Videos
Lauren Hart doing the anthem
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sPvHPfEWDVY

Pregame part 1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZZveuC5Trk

pregame Part 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=alBvJ4AWQqM

Oh also lots of the players gave away their sticks at the end of the game.  The majority gave their sticks away around the bench area.  Mike Knuble he must have picked the kid that he wanted to give his out at some point during the game cause as soon as it was over he made a bee line to that kid who was no where near the bench area.  I thought that was really really good to see.

Here is a pic Kevin Roberts had it attached to his column today
http://www.courierpostonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?
AID=/20070409/SPORTS04/704090349/1017

The hat tricks for kids hat toss.  I bought a hat they were buy one get one free.  I threw my hat I didn't throw it from the seat I was in cause I knew I wouldn't make it so I went down to the rail yeah it didn't go very far but it was cool to watch the person that got it throw it forward and then the next throw it forward until it hit the ice.
It looked like they got alot of hats from that.  Lots of people were sporting their own new hats as well.

HI all not one but 2 articles today suggested john LeClair is returning to the Flyers.  

I think it would be great to get to enjoy him one more time.  

Here are the article links.  What do you think?

http://www.phillyburbs.com/pb-dyn/news/101
-03102007-1311986.html

http://www.courierpostonli
ne.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070309/SPORTS04/703
100301/1017

 

 

 

I think this year's show was the best ever.  

The colors were so vibrant.  The Flowers were so beautiful.  Here are my pictures.  I hope you enjoy them.

http://new.photos.yahoo.com/neat1325/album/5764607
62392175314

 

 Here are the links to the videos and full picture album I will upload some of the pictures.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-YAgWgqPr8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rAHLDFg4QzA

http://new.photos.yahoo.com/neat1325/album/57646076239
1240143

 

This years Flyers Wives Carnival was the 30th year of the Carnival.  I am only a year older then the Carnival so I don’t have the pleasure of remembering when it first started.  I have been to many carnivals in my time as a Flyers fan and I think this was by far one of the best ones I have attended. 

This year the Flyers carnival had some updates to the way things have been done.  I found them to all be for the better.  At Center ice they had mystery bags.  While the Carnival was going on there was live music in all sorts of locations.  The bands on the big stage were fabulous.  This was the first year that all the Phantoms and Flyers were active in the carnival.  There were some new attractions like playing playstation against a player and having a multiple player picture booth. 

I arrived at the Wachovia center around 1 and went into the box office to exchange my Peter Forsberg photo pass.  I changed it for a Mike Knuble photo  pass.  
Then I stood in line to get in.  There was a nice couple behind me, this was their first carnival.  We didn't stand in line very long then they started letting us in.  The event staff outside handed everyone a bag and a Guide listing where players were going to be and at what times.  When we got in they gave us each a puck. 
         The center ice mystery gifts were in bags with Carnival logo. I got the sweatshirt.
Last years experiences of standing in massive lines for Forsberg and Hatcher were not repeated.  The longest line I was in was the autograph for Mike Richards.  They filled 2 sections of people to sit and wait for him to arrive.  I had absolutely no lines for Richards and Knuble photos. 
         The line for Gagne did not seem to get any shorter all day.  Then when they added Mike Knuble to Gagne the line went through a whole section and then up in the concourse and around the entire concourse. .
          Since I had gotten almost all of the team’s autographs at the Fan Club dinner I had much less to get at the carnival.  Several players were unsure why I wasn’t getting their autographs when you had several together and had to walk through each one. I added Leighton (whom I did no know at the dinner), Ruzicka, Afanasenkov, Guenin, Rathje, and Upshall.  I got autographs I neglected to get last year which were Keith Primeau and Chris Therien. .  I think all the autograph experiences I had were great this year.  All the players were very nice.  I forgot to talk to a few.  I hope they forgive me.
I ran into lots of people I knew like our own girls from the fan club Theresa and Caroline.          When I went to get my picture for Mike Knuble I stood in a line of about 6 people. When I got up and went I reminded him that we had dinner together and he seemed to remember me then.  We had a nice little conversation.  He seemed to be doing really well.  
          When I went for Mike Richards I handed my ticket in and I was the next person.  I absolutely could not believe that part at all.  I asked him how his day was going and I thanked him when I left.  I got Mike Richards to autograph the picture I had just gotten taken as well but I had to stand in a long line it wasn’t immediately following the picture..
         I do not think the carnival was very crowded.  I also think it started to empty out around 4 when we were leaving.  We left due to the inclement weather that was going on.  I was glad that it held off as long as it did that there was a decent turnout for the early session of the carnival.

 

I can not wait until next year to see what other fun new things they have to see and do. 

Happy President's day everyone!!!

In honor of president's day I went to the Flyers game day practice.

Here is the picture Link as always

http://new.photos.yahoo.com/neat1325/album/57646076239
0380845#page1

Game day practices are my least favorite to attend. They are generally
very short and not much goes on that is super interesting.

Today being a holiday the stands were crowded. It was not nearly as
crowded as Martin Luther King Day in 2006 but full.

I arrived on time which I think is a rare exception for me.

The stands were already starting to be full my favorite spots were
already taken so I walked down to the end and got settled into the top row.

To my Right there was a gentleman with a mullet that was reliving his
experiences at previous Flyers games and practices loudly for all to hear.

When I came in there were at least 2 camera crews. I guess since the
Fridge & Pitkanen incident it pays for CSN to come and tape practice.

Flyers were supposed to take the ice @ 10. 10:20 rolls around and
Robert Esche walks out to the ice. He is followed by Picard then
Leighton and Niitty. Leighton's pads have been updated to no longer
bare Ducks gold but Flyers white.

Carter warms up Esche while everyone is skating around. They are all
like little kids when they first get on everyone has to gets pucks and
fire them when they pass a net. Niitty who I think is starting tonight
was in a very happy and playful mood. He hooked Richards as Richards
tries to shoot at the net and then surprised Calder by passing to him
quite hard.

Everyone does their own little things to get going including stretching.

Whistle Blows practice is starting they do 3 on none rushes.

D men shoot on Esche

Forwards shoot on Niitty.

They go through a variation of this drill and we have a few forwards in
front of me now.

Richards, Carter and Umberger are all up against the glass and a few
girls come right up to the glass and take very close up pictures. (See pic)

John Stevens skates over and says something to them which my lips
reading did not grab all of it but to the jist of pay attention to the
drill and not the pretty girls taking your pictures. It did result in
all 4 laughing.

Ok now the stuff I know you really wanted to know the new lines since
Knuble is out.

The lines at practice were the following.

Gagne Sanderson Umberger

Calder Carter Upshall

Kappy Richards Eager

Fridge York Afansankov

Then they work on Zone breakouts and then what to do in the offensive
zone. Very basic simple stuff.

That was it. Practice was over. Upshall led the stretches. Practice
ended 10:52am

Now for after practices clinics as I call it.

At Center ice it was a face-off clinic hosted by Terry Murray.

Participants were

Richards, Carter and York

At the end closest to me cause I got up and moved to see better

Shots on Niitty

1 shot where you are 2^nd be as pretty as you want.

>From RW, C, LW

I noticed lots of players passing pucks over the glass and smiling back
at people while this was going on.

Chief worked on 3 on 3 play then 4 on 4 play at the other end with
Leighton in net.

Niitty then left and it was Esche in net. The drill changed to come
down along the boards and go top shelf over Esche. Poor Esche was lit
up like a Christmas tree during this drill. Some really pretty goals.
Then it changed again that is when I experimented and did the video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T8KmX4qRQqg

Esche took a break and we had a one timer from the top of the circle clinic

Participants were

Eager

Jones

Richards

Zhitnik

Some very hard shots on this drill. I was behind that net against the
glass.

Then less and less folks on the ice till we were left with Picard, Esche
and Leighton (this is why I think Niitty is starting). They got off the
ice finally at 11:30. Esche gave his stick away to a kid that had a
sign asking for it.

Then I went out to my car and there were a tone of people standing for
autographs. It was very cold and blustery out so I wasn't standing
there if you paid me. The Flyers were awesome enough to stop and sign
on their way out. See pics.