The Best Kept Secret In Philly

By: Patrice L. Leonard

What’s the best kept secret in Philadelphia? Is it really a secret, or is it that people just don’t seem to care? The answer is simple. We have a team in this town that has lived up to all of the pre-season hype and expectations. We have a team in this town that is our best chance for a championship, quite possibly this year. That team is the Philadelphia Flyers.

Here we have a group of twenty-two men, not counting all of the young guys brought up from the Phantoms this year, who have very quietly climbed to the top of the NHL. They give us games filled with excitement every time they skate out onto the ice. They haven’t disappointed us or given us fodder for endless “what if” conversation.

Why is it then that all of the local sports talk radio stations, news stations, and sports shows can speak of nothing else other than the two most inadequate teams, not only in this city, but in their respective sports? I can commiserate with the Eagles fans, I am one as well. I can not commiserate with the Phillies fans, I don’t really follow baseball, but when I do I follow the Mets. I was saddened by what happened to our football team this year. I truly believe that a lot of what occurred this season could have been avoided if someone, anyone, had stepped up and been a man. That did not happen so we lost a chance at a championship from the Eagles. The Phillies are just a lost cause, so I don’t have much faith in their ability to win in the near future.

Now, don’t get me wrong. I love a good soap opera as much as the next person. I just would like to see the attention aimed at something more positive, something that could conclude in a HAPPY ending. If you want drama, there is nothing more dramatic than your hockey team playing in game seven of the Stanley Cup Finals. Nobody talks about the grit, the resolve, the pure guts of our Fly Boys. The only thing on people’s lips is still the debacle of the Eagles.

But, this Flyers team has done nothing but win with class, determination, and pure belief that they are the best in the NHL this year. Ed Snider and Bob Clarke have both proven that they are dedicated to bringing a winning product to the arena every night. The additions to the team have shown all they promised. Peter Forsberg tallied his 801 st point in his magnificent career, and nary a word was uttered by those who cover sports in this town. They have rookies, Mike Richards and Jeff Carter, who are playing like they have been in this league for years. Antero Niittymaki puts on his very best Grant Fuhr impression every time he suits up. Yes, we have lost our captain in Keith Primeau, and we’re not sure for how long, but Gagne, Hatcher, and Handzus have proven their leadership capabilities time and again.

Maybe the lack of attention is good in a way. Hitchcock’s squad stays under the radar, virtually undetected by the “professional” sports media here in town. Of course, they haven’t given the powers that be much to talk about in the way of failure, or short comings, two qualities in a team that keep the media working I suppose. Is success that boring that we can’t take five minutes to discuss how lucky we are to have right in our own back yard one of the most satisfying sports experiences?

Sure there will be days and nights when the home team loses. The sting from such a loss isn’t as painful when you know that in the locker room each and every one of those players is taking responsibility for it and no one blames a teammate. We can be assured that the next game will be hard fought, nothing left on the ice. That is the difference between a great team and a would be great team. These guys respect each other in a way the other teams in our town can only dream of. No one player is more or less important than another. They understand that no one can reach the “promised land” without the guy sitting next to them in the dressing room. Truth be told, the other teams in Philadelphia could learn a lesson from the Flyers. The Sixers seem to be moving in the right direction, but I expect nothing less from Maurice Cheeks. The other two teams, well, I’m not holding my breath. Here is an example of the sheer will of a team who has fought through adversity, several key injuries, the loss of their captain, and the loss of their starting goal tender.

The Flyers have returned home from an unprecedented eleven game road trip. A road trip that was quite successful. Our players were tired, but fought like warriors every game. Die hard fans flocked to the Wachovia Center Saturday afternoon to welcome their boys back home. It was touted to be a very big game, especially for Forsberg. The Avalanche were in town. Although they ended up losing the contest, those of us who appreciate the hard work ethic of this team were treated to one of the most exciting, emotionally charged games this season. The Flyers, as usual, never gave up. They rallied back from being behind throughout the game to tie it up during the last few minutes of the third period. And they did it with ardor. First, Mike Knuble did it. Then, in his own flawless way, Peter Forsberg did it. We lost in OT. It felt like a playoff game. It hurt. It was draining. It was the best feeling in the world. No other team in this city can deliver the thrills that this Flyer team can. Is there any wonder that those of us who know about this team want the rest of the region to wake and appreciate what is right in front of them?

So, we as a city have a choice. We can continue to beat a dead dog by talking about the childish antics of Donovan McNabb and Terrell Owens, or we can embrace a groups of guys who will give us all they have until there is nothing left to give. We can continue to rehash a sorry excuse for a season the Phillies gave us this year, or we can relish in the feeling of being winners. We can chat about how the Sixers are an okay team, or we can live out our sports fantasies by getting behind our hockey team and riding their coat tails all the way to the

Stanley Cup.

Me, I’m going for the ride. I never got off, even during the lock out. What separates hockey fans from the rest of the sporting world? They may be a little crazy. They may be over zealous. But, they all know a winner when they see one. Rejoice Philadelphia! Our drought is almost over. When Lord Stanley’s cup is being skated around by our boys in orange and black, I’ll be the first one to say, “I told you so”. Those of you who just can’t let go of everything else, you don’t know what you’re missing over on the frozen surface at Wachovia Center. But, rest assured. We’ll be happy to share a piece of the glory with you on Broad Street in June.