I blame Mike Knuble.

Ok, it's a little tongue in cheek but I do feel that way. Today he cost us the game. A stupid, idiotic penalty taken in the first period that set up the all important first goal. You cannot stop skating. Useless, as I like to call him, has never skated in his defensive zone. He's a liability and he's slow and he has never been defensively responsible. That being said, he did win Game 4 for us against Washington, a game I was at. So, you know...

Whatever. Moving on.

Today was a horrible way to end a season--any season, let alone one that saw a league worst team play their way up to the conference finals. What's worse is that the Flyers will not get the credit that they deserve from anyone but their own media stations and Philadelphia print/TV outlets. To lose a game like this away from your fans and have to chided and jeered by 15,000+ unintelligent bandwagon jumpers is just a horribly unfitting end to a brilliant team's run at glory.

Out of it all I feel worst for Martin Biron. He is an exceptional player, a brilliant goaltender and a good man who does not deserve to be blamed for any of the Flyers' woes. His play was inspiring in the series against Montreal, his leadership was necessary and his attitude was professional and brilliant. A six goal outing is not a proper way to end his season. He'll be back next year as our true number one.

It's funny that I found that picture that this blog begins with. Those four players are my heroes on the team. Thoresen is a player that I really feel for. Taken out of the line-up for, what I thought was no real reason, but when he was put back in he played with all heart. He's an amazing player, he plays hard no matter the situation and he plays physical at every single point in the game. Then, to rub salt in his proverbial wounds, they took away the goal that he rightfully scored. They say he prevented Fleury from making the save, it was a quick whistle from a ref that loves to make calls. It's just insult to injury and at that point, it really could have changed the game.

I can never say enough about Sami Kapenen. Some say that he doesn't do anything for the team as he doesn't always put points up on the board. I think that is as off base as the glory that Fleury is pulling down as a goalie. He plays with a 5'10" 185 pound heart and he is never one to make excuses.

R.J. Umberger. After his great series against Montreal, everyone put everything on this kids shoulders. "Oh he's going to play Pittsburgh, he always kills the Pens!" You cannot do that thing to a young player even when he's as great as R.J. He plays a great style of hockey and his talent and potential are there. He's only going to get better as the years go on. He is proof that the Flyers are going to be a force to be reckoned with until 2020....at least.

Richards will be our captain next year. His play and off-ice abilities have earned him that right. He is a leader and he is the Philadelphia Flyer attitude incarnate. Tenacious, energetic, and intelligent, Richards will be the face and the cornerstone of the team for years to come. He's a better player than Crosby, Ovechkin and Malkin and he'll never get the credit for that.

But that's how we like it in Philly. It's us against the world. So one last time...

WAKE UP PHILADELPHIA AND LET ME HEAR YOU SING!!

THE ORANGE AND THE BLACK! THE ORANGE AND THE BLACK!