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Flyers-Habs Game 4 Thread

Despite being badly outshot on Monday, the Flyers won a battle with Montreal on Philadelphia ice to go up 2-1 in the series. Rookie phenom goalie Carey Price was chased from the net, and Guy Carbonneau will reportedly use Jaroslav Halak in tonight's game.

The building was electric on Monday, and tonight will be no different. Hopefully the refs will call it even, and let the boys play. The physical game definitely favors Philadelphia, but the Flyers haven't had much trouble scoring either. Watch out for the Canadiens fans in their winter hats and Speedos. To erase that picture from your mind, follow us after the jump.

Fan Report: Philly Takes Over PNC Park

For the Fan Report from last weekend's Phillies-Pirates series, we've received a great write-up from reader Amy Ambler, who made the trek out to Pittsburgh's PNC Park. I saw a few games out there last year, and it's definitely worth a quick weekend trip. To submit a Fan Report from either a home or away game, just e-mail Enrico or Matt with your ballpark experiences as well as any pictures or video you may have taken.

When I made the trip out to Pittsburgh to see the Phillies take on the Pirates, I expected to encounter a few Phils fans—after all, it’s a feasible weekend jaunt and PNC Park is touted as one of the best parks in the majors. What I was unprepared for was to feel like I was at a home game.

View of Pittsburgh, originally uploaded by AmyA26.

 

As I walked into the stadium on Friday night, I joked to the two other Phils fans that accompanied me and my friend from college (a Bucs fan) that we might make it onto the telecast at home since they often show Phillies fans at visiting stadiums. However, as we crossed the bridge to the park, I realized that the chances were slim—there would be too many of us to choose from. Everywhere I went within the stadium, for every fan I saw in Pirates black and yellow, I saw another fan sporting Phillies red. It was incredible.

Video: HBO's Costas Now

We're swamped today but Awful Announcing has the video of the now infamous segment from Costas Now last night when Buzz Bissinger becomes unhinged. [AA]

What is 'Whimsy' Alex?

I knew this one. Who didn't? It's almost too obvious for a baseball fan.

Will Leitch Responds to Buzz Bissinger's Outburst On Costas Now

Will Leitch of Deadspin was on HBO's Costas Now on Tuesday night to talk about the current state of the sports media landscape -- or so we thought. Instead it mostly turned into the Buzz Bissinger freaks out show.

I'm not one to say that print is dying because I'm a believer that there is something to be said for flipping through a newspaper, drinking a cup of coffee, and reading a well written article. But something I do believe is dying is the notion that blogs are a fad or that people who write on the Internet are instantly labeled as less credible. As if their opinion is less of an opinion. Also, I hate the word blog lately. Ugh.

Anyway, Will wrote a phenomenal response to the crazy episode. Go read it all, but the last line is the best.

The future is obvious to anyone even slightly interested in looking. We just stand aside, as he, as they, watch the light shrink, then fade, then vanish.

Always take the high road... until you can zing them like that!

See also: MDS' take at FanHouse and FireJoeMorgan's take.

>>Of Jimmy Olson, The Spittle, And The Dying Of The Light [Deadspin]

It's Not Just the Fans Who Think Canada Hates the Flyers

Sam Donnellon -- a journalist and not just some stupid fan! -- argues that Canada is out to get the Flyers and looks out for its own. I will not voice my opinion on the matter but will instead go watch this video for the 76th time.

Knuble Set to Return, But Where Will Umberger Play?

Mike Knuble's hamstring injury has healed enough for him to be cleared to play in Wednesday's game against Montreal. Knuble had been playing well before the injury, and it looks as though John Stevens will put him back on his regular line with Jeff Carter and Scottie Upshall. While Knuble was out, RJ Umberger stepped up and went on a tear while playing with Carter and Upshall, notching 4 goals in the first 3 games of the Montreal series.

It will be interesting to see where Stevens puts Umberger, who was less than thrilled with a fourth line role early in the Washington series. However, too many healthy scoring threats as, as they say, a good problem to have.

Sammy Dalembert's Frohawk Not Helping

Via FanHouse we get this photo of Sammy D's new mohawk (frohawk?) which he had freshly buzzed for tonight's game five in Detroit. The power of the 'hawk doesn't seem to be helping their game all that much as the Sixers are losing by a dozen. Another image as well as video of the hair artistry below.

Sixers Try to Regain Series Lead

Sunday night's loss was a tough one for the Sixers, not only did they miss a great opportunity to take a 3-1 series lead back to Detroit but they also did so in horrific fashion. After looking like a force to be reckoned with in the first half, the Sixers came out and played like a team ready to hit the links in the second.

Mo Cheeks noted the Pistons were able to flip the switch on Sunday and the Sixers didn't have anyone to turn to stop the bleeding. Mostly because Andre Iguodala has come up small for the majority of the series.

If the Sixers are going to win this series or even steal another game, A.I. is going to have to step his game up tremendously. No better time than now.

Tip off at 7:00.

Old vs. Young as Phils Kick Off Pads Series

Greg Maddux made his Major League debut when Cole Hamels was three years old. Tonight old Greg will be going for his 350th career win, a mark no young pitcher today will likely ever sniff.  Cole brings an ERA about a point lower than Maddux this season and will attempt to spoil the Padres fun.

Shane Victorino is back from his stint on the DL but may not be back in center. There's been some chatter this week that Jayson Werth may have played himself into the starting center fielder role. Shane would then move back to his familiar territory in right. This remains to be seen but you can't argue with Werth's impressive play lately.

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, Sixers!

Click to play

Clap your hands everybody
For Philadelphia 76ers
Stomp your feet, everybody
For Philadelphia 76ers
Here they come, Philadelphia
On the run, Stand up and cheer
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, Sixers

Philly Hates Dallas!

I'm not going to pretend like we're huge fans of Arena Football. I don't dislike it per se but it's not something that sees much action on my television. That said, this video clip from last night's game of a Soul guy jawing it up with some chump from Texas gets us rather excited.

Happy to see Philly still hates Dallas even in the Arena League. And Philly wins, of course.

Mike Lieberthal to Retire a Phillie

Where Have You Gone Mike Lieberthal?, originally uploaded by Fen Branklin

If you can forget about the last few years when he was part of the infamous Black Hole with David Bell, Mike Lieberthal actually had a pretty nice career in Philadelphia. He's returning to the city that made him a Major League ball player and will be a Phillie for one more day.

On June 1st, Lieberthal will retire as a member of the Philadelphia Phillies.

"Philadelphia has always been a second home to me, so I'm really
looking forward to this," Lieberthal said in a statement released by
the Phillies. "I spent half my life there and still follow the team
closely on television."

>>Lieberthal to officially retire as a Phillie [MLB]

On the DL Podcast With Dan Levy

I was a guest on the "On the DL" podcast with Dan Levy. He's had some pretty great guests on in the past including Will Leitch, Pat Forde of ESPN, Christmas Ape of KSK, Dan Steinberg of the Washington Post, and even the Balls.

We talk about the business of blogging, the Eagles draft, the Sixers playoff run, Philly sports in general, and whatnot. So check it out if you need something to listen to while you're at work.

>>On The DL Podcast

You Be the Judge: Did Downie Clip Price?

In the first period of last night's game, as Montreal goalie Carey Price went behind the net to play a puck that was just on the border of the trapezoid, Flyer Steve Downie approached to try to gain possession. He passed by Price and was hit into the boards by a Canadiens defender, and was promptly met with some pushing and punching by multiple players, as was Derian Hatcher, who came to his aid. On the boxscore, you'll see matching minors for Downie and Hatch for roughing, as well as the Habs' Lapierre and Komisarek for the same infraction, but you'll also see that Downie was assessed a tripping call.

Did he deserve it, or did Price take a dive (or, the NHL ref special: both)? I was at the game and only saw a few replays, and what happened afterward was just a jumbled mess from our vantage. Commenters in the previous threads were divided, so here's a video of the incident, with a slightly editorialized soundtrack. The roughing that ensued (not shown in video) was Montreal's reaction to Downie supposedly tripping their goalie, which may not have even happened, and they got a powerplay to boot. Another video with more angles and the aftermath, after the jump (h/t yellowbird).