Thank God

So the Flyers just won to force a 5th game in the series, but besides the win, my favorite events from the game had little to do with the score.

First of all, something I discovered about the Versus Network broadcasts of the playoffs is that the network tends to keep the microphones at ice level on at all times, even when there are players obviously cursing at each other right in front of the microphones. This led to hearing Jason Smith, while the camera was even fixated on him, shouting at Sidney Crosby, “You fucking whine after every fucking play!” Not the classiest of commentary, but there is certainly a grain of truth to it. Not coincidentally, this comment came just as Crosby was talking to an official about the preceding play.

Secondly was the fact that there was finally a fight of significance. Upshall fought Tyler Kennedy earlier in the series, but finally some big guys went at it and Derian Hatcher easily dispensed of Ryan Malone (who incidentally was trying to go after Upshall). I’m not someone who loves hockey just for the fighting, but it’s definitely a big factor in the enjoyment of the sport. Like it or not, it’s definitely a big part of the game and a component that has been missing from this entire postseason.

Lastly was Mike Richards trying to take on Crosby, who was of course quickly protected by the officials, at the end of the game. It really bothers me that Crosby acts as if he’s untouchable, and I can’t think of a better person to remind him that he isn’t than Mike Richards. Richards has pretty much single-handedly made me fall in love with his team, much like Chase Utley of the Phillies. His hard work and toughness are something to really admire, and his offensive capabilities will only continue to get better, again, much like Chase Utley.

Moving on from the Flyers, the advertising that the NHL has taken on during the playoffs has been bothering me a bit. One of the common phrases is, “This is the playoffs.” Now, I could be wrong, but isn’t the word “playoffs” a plural word? Isn’t each game of a series a “playoff game” and there for a whole series of these games the “playoffs?” If that’s true, than the phrase should be “These are the playoffs,” or perhaps better yet, “This is the postseason.” Of course, I’m not sure “postseason” is a real word, especially since it keeps getting a red underline in this word processor.