Flyers hockey has always been a part of my life. I’m a third generation fan. My dad grew up watching the Flyers, he even went to the Cup parades with his dad. That is something I hope I can share with my old man one day. There’s no doubt the Flyers will raise the Cup once more, but I always thought they’d do so with Mike Richards leading the charge.

Yesterday, in a “blockbuster” move, the Flyers traded their Captain. My Captain. And if ever there was a time for me to dust off this blog, it’s now. But it will be just this once. I’ve decided to end this blog. Irrational, especially after yesterday, perhaps. But it’s more than that. Deep down, past the grief and confusion and betrayal, I still love the Flyers. But they aren’t my team anymore. They are, my home team. My #1. But the team that I’ve fallen in love with over the past five years is no more. The team that got us within 2 wins of the Stanley Cup last year is practically non-existent.

I still love Kimmo and Danny, Matty Carle and Bob. I’m excited for Bryz, and I’m sure once I’m less crazy with the side effects of a broken hockey heart, I will learn to love Simmonds and Schenn and Voracek. But right now, my favorite player of all time is a Flyer no more, and it hurts.

As I said, hockey has always been a part of my life. I remember watching games with my dad when I was little. We had an airhorn that sounded every time we scored. Every time Hexie made an awesome save. I fell in and out of hockey obsession over the years. Always taking in a game here and there, attending them in person every so often. The love was there, was buried beneath the hustle and bustle of every day life, school, being a teenager, a college student. But then after the lockout, I was back in it. Full force. I converted a Toronto native into a Flyers fan. And then a couple of years later did the same thing with a southern Christian.

I remember being traumatized for Randy Jones when he accidentally took out Patrice Bergeron. Giggling over Joffrey Lupul and Richie being bffs. Loving the way Scottie Upshall played with his heart on his sleeve. The way Noobs was like a big brother to Jeff Carter. I remember standing in my living room, screaming and crying and hugging my dad and brother when Lupes scored the OT game and series winning goal against the Caps. I was by myself, in my apartment when Boosh stopped that SO attempt from Jokinen. But that didn’t stop me from screaming and cheering and flailing around like an idiot. The comeback in Boston was the most epic sports-related phenomenon that I have ever and probably will ever witness in my life. Simon Gagne love forever. Lava jumping on the bench. The orange and the black pouring onto the ice, hugging and ecstatic as the B’s fans looked on in stunned disbelief.

And then there was The Shift from Mike Richards. My all time favorite hockey moment:

Which led to this:

I’m not a moron, and I know hockey. I get that this was a legit hockey move. The return was good. We cleared cap space so we could sign a “#1 goalie.”  But it doesn’t make it suck any less.

Someone once asked me why I like Richie so much, and my answer was, “He’s amazing on a short-handed breakaway.” And it’s true. He’s a gritty, talented guy that puts it all out there. A kick-ass two-way player.  A clutch player, a leader who has won on every level. And will continue to do so. Just not in Philadelphia.

Forgive this fangirly and probably discombobulated post, but I’m still trying to comprehend this move. Anyone who is a real hockey fan knows it’s not “just a game.” It’s more than a subculture. When you watch a game, it’s like you’re on the ice with the team. You’re in it to get those 2 points and that W just as much as any guy sitting on that bench.

Hockey is a way of life.

It’s a huge part of my life. And will continue to be so, in a more amplified way because I’m not just going to shove my Richie jersey in the back of my closet and forget about number one-eight. He’s moving on, but I’ll be a fan always, and I’ll adopt the Kings as a new team to stalk. I know I’ll get over this one day, return to being a normal human being and not be so gutwrenched by such a move, but that day is not today.

Flyers C or no, Mike Richards will always be my Captain. Teeny, tiny, hard-to-appreciate plus side: now he gets to do so while wearing a crown.

Happy for the Hawks. I srsly would have picked them as my next fav team to hoist the cup, so good on them. They were awesome.

Would have liked a better game winning goal. I didn’t even see it. Looked like Patrick Kane was the only person in the building that knew he scored lol. Just seemed very anticlimatic for such an instense series. Sigh.

Was very proud of the fans for cheering “Let’s Go Flyers” once all was said and done. Wish they would have booed a bit less, especially at Toews and the Hawks getting the Cup (though I doubt Chicago would have treated the Flyers any better, probably worse lol). However I did approve of the Bettman booing, evil little troll.

It hurts now, but the pain will fade. We always have next year.

Flyers fever forever!!!

It blows my mind how many people are still doubting the Flyers. Even at this point. Yea, the Hawks are up 3-2 in the series.

BEEN THERE BEFORE.

Sure, it was against a totes different team. But the Flyers have proved that they can play against Chicago, and even outplay them. No one said this would be an easy series, and as a hockey fan, I’m glad it’s been so close. Awesome to watch. Though, as a Flyers fan, insanity inducing.

I really like the Hawks. I’ve liked them for a few years. I’ve often referred to them as my Western Flyers, and while this might be considered an insult to any Chicago fan, I mean it as a compliment. While I much rather see the Cup in the hands of Toews and Kane than Crybaby and Malkin, you can’t deny the Flyers have fought tooth and nail to get here.

They deserve this most epic of all hockey victories. It would be excruciating to write such a Cinderella story only to come up empty at the end. There is something special about this team. I truly believe that.

Here’s hoping for two more W’s and a shiny silver cup when all is said and done.

LET’S GO FLYERS!

Undear Gary Bettman,

You do realize there are 29 other hockey teams besides the Pens, right? I know, I know, Crybaby is your bestest and most squashable loveliest pet o’ choice, but honestly? Twice in three years?

Really?

Really really?

Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for the Caps. Ovi has changed this sport, he is so dynamic and fun to watch, so is Washington as a whole. But I’m really, really, really getting sick of you throwing Sidney Crosby in my face every five effin seconds.

Hate,

Me

Meanwhile, I’m gearing up for Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals THAT DO NOT INCLUDE CRYBABY. But my dearest bb, Mike Richards. Now there’s a real captain. Toews can come hang out at our real captain party while we’re at it. I have no beef with him.

Am so freakin stoked for this series. Mad love for the Hawks, and they creamed us, pointswise, this season, yadda, yadda, yadda, but mannnn, there is just something SPECIAL about these Flyers.

Flyers in six.

Because this is what our Flyers captain is made of:

Still sort of can’t believe it. Amazing. I, for one, am glad he hoisted the Prince trophy. He deserved it, and that team deserved it. Boys!!!

2010 EASTERN CONFERENCE CHAMPIONS!!!!

oaiwjfoiewajfoijawoifjwoaiejfowaiejf

And Hawks vs Flyers in the SC Finals. I have been praying for this match up for two years. Cannot wait.

History. We has it.

The boys looked awesome last night. Passing was crisp, the chemistry was just on fire, and everyone was crashing the net. That is the type of play we need to keep on keepin’ on. And I love it when d-men contribute to the scoreboard. Lessens the load on our forwards. And Coby! Yay for not cringing every time he was on ice.

Again, I must point out, how epic Ville Leino has been. Man’s a beast. There are some rumors that Carts may return before the end of this series, and while I won’t hold my breath, the thought of his return makes me anxious. I’m really loving the chemistry of our team right now. The return of a big gun like Carts would shift the Leino/Briere/Harts line, which would in turn shift our lower lines and perhaps cause an epic chemistry fail. Then again, who wouldn’t want a player like Jeff Carter in their line up??

Oh, and Michael Leighton? I approve. So, so much. Some flashy saves last night, bb. Way to get a shut out!

Ahhh, I’m very stoked for tomorrow night’s game. Though I sure do wish these games were aired on CSN. I cannot stand Versus commentators. Seems like they’ve traded in their Pens jerseys for Habs ones. Please, let’s not comment on how awesome the Flyers are playing, we’ll just commiserate on how the Habs are missing their opportunities :: epic eye roll :: Lame-o.