What a Difference a “C” Makes

By: Patrice L. Leonard

Could it be that the wake-up call the Flyers needed was as simple as naming a captain? I thought so for weeks. I voiced my opinion on the subject stridently. The correct choice, Derian Hatcher, has been made. What remains to be seen is how long this train will stay on the tracks.

While watching the Flyers-Rangers game on Monday night I couldn’t help but think that this was a different team, at least one with a new attitude. The pace was quick. The bodies were flying. The offense was ample. The goals weren’t going in, but you just knew that eventually one was getting past Lundqvist.

This team was morphing into Hatcher. They adopted his style of play. They were mean. They played with raw emotion. They showed grit and purpose. No one wearing a blue sweater was safe from their force of will. Even during a 2 goal deficit, you just had the feeling that they were going to pull it off, somehow. Who would be the hero? If you ask me, the entire team played as heroes.

Something happened in the hours between Hatcher accepting the Captaincy and his team taking the ice Monday night. A collective sigh of relief was given by the squad. They had what they’d been missing for months. They had direction. They had a voice. They had a leader. They were not going to let him down.

The fire under the Flyers was irrefutable. They played like men possessed from the opening face-off straight through to the overtime stanza. I know all was well the second I saw Simon Gagne throw a bone-rattling body check. He just doesn’t do that every game, if at all. Was this Hatcher’s influence? The Savage-Richards-Brashear line was the best out there that night. Tossing around Rangers players at will. Was this Hatcher’s inspiration? The defensemen were swift of feet, unwavering on the blue line. Was this Hatcher’s conviction?

Derian Hatcher is a freak of nature. He’s big, strong, stubborn, and powerful. I wouldn’t want to get in his way. Now, other teams will have to contend with the force that is the rejuvenated Philadelphia Flyers. Best of luck to all who encounter the orange and black.