Flyers out hustle Devils

The Philadelphia Flyers entered their home and home series series with the New Jersey Devils winless.
They left game one with a chance of sweeping the pair after winning their first game of the season over New Jersey 6-3.
The other game starts in a few minutes in Philly.....

Shawn's Thoughts

1) The Devils scored all three of their goals in the first period,but even then showed signs of the lethargic night.
Other than Zach Parise (goal and two assists),not much that I can say about anyone else,except I though that Travis Zajac played reasonably well.The
other Devils goals went to Zajac (1) and Dainius Zubrus (1)

2) Jamie Langenbrunner left the game in the second period with the dreaded "lower body injury" and will miss today's game.
The injury is not expected to be a long term loss for the Devils.

3) David Clarkson will move to Langenbrunners place on the Zajac/Parise line.
That looks like a good move as far as energy and Clarkson could profit with some well timed net crashing...

4) Sheldon Brookbank will dress for the first time this season in Langenbrunners place.
The Devils dress seven blueliners for the contest.

5) Not many Devils played well last night and that could be why Brookbank was activated tonight to try and weed out the defenseman that are going through the motions.
Too many defenseman were beside Flyer players around the crease and yet didn't seem to be involved in the game.
Far too passive.......


The Ohio State Buckeyes host the only other team that is undefeated in the Big Ten in Penn State.
Last weeks offensive upturn in East Lansing gives me hope that things are turning around and I don't see the Penn State juggernaut that some do.
However,Penn State has played extremely well this season and looks at this game as the huge hurdle that they need to leap to go to the BCS....
Bad Weather is forecast in Columbus and that could slow the PSU spread down and help the OSU running game.
Very hesitant to pick this one,but.....,.
Buckeyes 20-17....

Bullpen Notes

The Toronto Blue Jays signed former Oriole top pick Adam Loewen and claimed Pirate top pick Bryan Bullington off waivers from Cleveland.
Loewen will be attempting to move from pitcher to first baseman this season and was expected to be at Delmarva had he returned to the Orioles.
Loewen was expected to re-sign with Baltimore,but the chance to sign with a Canadian team was too much for him to turn down.

Finally a quote from film director Kevin Smith from an interview on being a New Jersey Devil fan.

Part of being a Devils fan is the incessant defense of their style of play to other hockey fans. Have you experienced this?

Oh, every [expletive] and their uncle wants to tell you that, "The Devils ruined hockey with that trap [expletive] system of theirs." You can't argue with three Cups, dude. That trap system is three Cups. It may not be exciting hockey to you, but it's not about making it exciting -- it's about winning the Cup for heaven's sake.It's a system that works, and you know how I know it works? Because now the [expletive] Rangers are playing the trap style. Now everybody [expletive] plays [expletive] trap style.

Photo Credits

Parise:AP Photo

Helmets;Helmet Project