View previous news items: February 2001, March 2001, April 2001, May 2001, Summer 2001, September 2001, October 2001, November 2001, December 2001, January 2002, February 2002.
(9/29) The Flyers defeated the Devils in a back-and-forth preseason affair tonight in New Jersey. The Flyers jumped out to an early lead on goals by Jan Hlavac and Eric Weinrich. By the first minute of the second period, however, the Devils had the game tied at 2 with goals from Pierre Dagenais and Jason Arnott. Keith Primeau connected on the power play--but the Devils tied the game at 3 on Arnott's second goal of the night. Early in the third, Jiri Dopita netted his first goal in North America to give the Flyers a 4-3 lead. The Devils answered with a Patrik Elias power play goal: the game was tied at 4. But seconds after play resumed, Simon Gagne scored his first goal of the preseason to give the Flyers a 5-4 lead--which they managed to hold until the final buzzer. Roman Cechmanek got the win (27 shots faced, 23 saves), while Martin Brodeur took the loss (32 shots faced, 27 saves).
Though the game was a bit messy defensively--the Flyers can't expect to win every night that they allow four goals!--it did have some encouraging signs for fans in the last tune-up before the season opener. Four Flyers finally broke through with their first goals of the preseason. Three came from important offseason acquisitions (Hlavac, Weinrich, and Dopita); the fourth came from Simon Gagne. Gags came into camp poised to be the #1 left wing--but he's been tentative and generally unimpressive. In fact, he scored this goal on Roenick's line, as he was replaced on the Primeau line by John LeClair. Hopefully these goals bode well for the seasons of all four of these core players.
(9/28) In their second-to-last preseason matchup, the Flyers notched a convincing win over the New York Islanders. Goals generally came from the usual suspects: John LeClair, Keith Primeau, Jeremy Roenick. Kim Johnsson and Ruslan Fedotenko also scored. Brian Boucher got the start and the win. The Flyers face the Devils in their last preseason game on Saturday night.
(9/25) The Flyers beat the Caps in a sloppy preason matchup by the score of 6-4. John LeClair continued to show that his back is feeling A-OK, scoring two goals. Other Flyer goals came from Paul Ranheim, Dan McGillis (2), and Kim Johnnson. The power play connected on two of six chanced, but Roman Cechmanek had a subpar performace in net.
(9/23) The Flyers lost their first game of the preseason before a sparse crowd at Madison Square Garden. Neither team played many of their star players, but Rangers goalie Mike Richter started and may have ultimately been the difference in the game. He stopped a penalty shot by former Ranger Jan Hlavac in his 1/2 game of work. Kent Manderville scored for the Flyers. To no one's surprise, Eric Lindros sat out again.
(9/22) Another preseason matchup, another tie. I hope this isn't a preview of the coming season, because that'll be pretty boring. The Flyers tied the NJ Devils tonight, 2-2. Keith Primeau scored twice for the Flyers. Brian Boucher played goal, making 30 saves. Ruslan Fedotenko had to be helped off the ice after he hurt his knee after a collision with Devils dman Mike Commodore.
(9/21) Three periods and overtime decided nothing tonight, as the Flyers played the New York Islanders in Trenton to a 5-5 tie. The match was advertised as the "Battle of the Affiliates," as both organizations have a relationship with the ECHL Trenton team. Maxime Ouellet allowed one goal in his thirty minutes of work; Neil Little allowed the other four in relief. The Flyers goals were scored by Marty Murray, Pavel Brendl, Tomas Divisek, John LeClair, and Jeremy Roenick. (Man, that Roenick, LeClair, Brendl line is really clicking, huh?)
(9/20) The Flyers and NY Rangers played to a 2-2 tie in a game stopped after two periods of play. During the second intermission, the videoscreen at the First Union Center began to show President Bush's State of the Union address. Fans booed when the teams attempted to start the third period, so they left the speech on. After the speech ended, the Rangers and Flyers mutually agreed to end the game where it stood (to avoid injury to the players, who had been cooling down for the last thirty minutes). Ex-Flyer Eric Lindros did not play, but the Flyers top line of Keith Primeau, Mark Recchi, and Simon Gagne had its preseason debut. Recchi and Jesse Boulerice scored for the Flyers. Brian Boucher played two solid periods in goal.
(9/19) The Flyers started their preseason on a high note with a sound victory over the Washington Capitals. The game was notable more for its location than its hockey; it was the first major sports event in Washington since 9/11's terrorist attacks. The top line of Roenick, LeClair, and Brendl got eight points; Roenick and LeClair each had a goal and and two assists a piece, while Brendl had two goals. Other Flyers goals were scored by Justin Williams and Marty Murray. The Primeau-Recchi-Gagne line did not play in Washington. Roman Cechmanek played goal for the Flyers.
Brian Boucher is expected to start in the Flyers next preseason game, which will be against the New York Rangers in Philadelphia. The Flyers will be collecting money to help New York victims of the terrorist attacks at the game. Every dollar donated by fans will be matched by the team and by the players. So if fans donate $20,000, the team will donate $20,000 and the players will donate $20,000. Eric Lindros is not expected to play for the Rangers.
(9/17) The Flyers will have their first preseason game of the 2001-2002 season in Washington on Tuesday night. The game was originally scheduled for Saturday, but that match was cancelled due to September 11's terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. Security for the match at the MCI Center will be very high.
(9/5) The Flyers haved signed Jan Hlavac to a two year contract. In accordance with team policy, terms were not disclosed. Just a few days ago, Bob Clarke told reporters that he was at a deadlock with Hlavac and his agent (Rich Winter, who advised Ron Hextall to hold out all those years ago). Hlavac is expected to be the Flyers' third line left wing, behind Simon Gagne and John LeClair.
Hlavac seemed less than pleased with his role after the Lindros trade; he openly acknowledged that he would miss his linemates and that he was unsure of his role on the Flyers. After the announcement of Hlavac's signing, however, Rich Winter was careful to give credit to GM Bob Clarke for convincing Hlavac that he would be "a key part of a team that was going to do something."
See everyone? Clarkie may have a soft side after all.
(9/4) The Flyers' various North American Olympic hopefuls headed off to their respective orientation camps today. Team Canada hopefuls Simon Gagne, Keith Primeau, Mark Recchi, and Eric Desjardins all went to Calgary. Gagne will not be participating in the on-ice workouts, as he has not yet been cleared to play due to his recent shoulder surgergy.
Team USA is convening in Colorado Springs. John LeClair and Jeremy Roenick have both officially been named to the US Olympic squad. Eric Weinrich is also at the Team USA camp in hopes of gaining a roster spot. Both the Canadian and American camps are four days long, with two days for travel and two days of on-ice work.
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