Phightins

Hawes is back, but Brand is out.

Outshot the Devs 24-1 in the 3rd. Still fell a bit short. 6-4 final. Hopefully some momentum heading into tomorrow's gigantic game with the Rangers, at the very least. Obviously though, losing by 2 goals sucks, especially when 2 Devils goals were direct results of poor officiating.

I am not one of the conspiracy theorists, but that final minute of the period was disgraceful. Nicely done, Ghislain Hebert. Ugh.

I'm sure there's a good reason for Jody Shelley and Andreas Lilja to be in the lineup over Harry Zolnierczyk and Erik Gustafsson, but it just isn't coming to me.

I got to try it at a Flyers game a few years back (when it was the Victor's Club), and yes, it's super. Wish I could watch every game from there.

I can live with a 5-2 homestand.

Enough with the jump shots, especially when Andre is the one taking them.

That was fun while it lasted. Identical to the last time we played, except the game is being blown open about a quarter later.

Neither team can hit a shot in the 3rd.

Was that before or after Tony Battie "fouled" him from 5 feet away?

I have tried all half to avoid playing the ref-card, but this is getting annoying.

It would be cool if Lou would stop missing open shots.

I know Gagner is a good player...but, to put it simply, if you'd tell me an NHL player would have an 8 point game, he likely would not be my guess.

No idea what your first sentence means. My point is that when I can spend $9 to go to almost any other game, I would rather do that than spend $55 to go tonight.

I would go, but don't feel like paying inflated prices to sit in bandwagoner central (talking about both fanbases here). Think I will go next Monday or Wednesday instead. We match up pretty poorly with Miami, so my hopes are not high, But anything can happen I guess.

Maybe it's sacrilegious for me to say this as a Flyers fan, but I like Torts. Lindy just annoys the hell out of me. Seems like every night he is complaining about some other team whining, yet he whines more than any other coach in the league.

Is there a more annoying coach in the NHL than Lindy Ruff?

[expletive]in' right. 2-0 in the hell stretch.

Let's close this one out right, please....

Lavoy, man. I am super impressed. Not bad for a 2nd round pick.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OWgAD4B5dKQ&feature=player_embedded Make sure you read the description if you don't get what is happening.

The kiss cam thing was pretty awesome, not going to lie. But it would have probably pissed me off if I were a Magic fan.

I am actually OK with Castillo getting another chance. If Andy gets to come back, Juan should be able to also. I think that personnel wise, they are just 1-2 smart moves/draft selections away from being a top tier defense. The group they had this season definitely improved as the year went on. I feel like most of the Castillo hate is from people who want change just for the sake of change, or who want somebody to be the scapegoat. We've already shuffled through two d-coordinators since Jim Johnson passed away, and neither had much success right away or were liked by the fans, so why does anybody think a third guy would be different? Especially with Spags off the board. I'd rather let Castillo get a chance to grow/prove himself than to start from scratch again with another unknown guy. Whatever, I am mostly indifferent. No excuses in 2012.

Heading over to this as soon as my 4:00 class ends. Not exactly looking forward to the Battie-Howard matchup.

Pitchers and catchers are what? 2 and a half weeks away? 3 weeks maybe? Starting to get very fired up for the season. Anyway, this was a very interesting offseason. Ruben Amaro did a few things well (his handling of the 3B situation and the Jimmy Rollins contract) and a few things horribly wrong ($60 million for Jonathan Papelbon and a guaranteed contract for Laynce Nix). I won't beat the Papelbon horse much more, but in short, it sucks. Papelbon is a fantastic pitcher, one of the 4 or 5 best around at what he does, but no relief pitcher is worth that much money, especially with all of the bargains that are out there to be had, and all of the talented kids we have in the high minors. Just a silly allocation of funds, and it could easily come back to haunt us when the team is trying to put together contract offers for Cole Hamels, Hunter Pence, etc. Anyway....if I had to guess on an Opening Day roster right now... C: Carlos Ruiz 1B: John Mayberry Jr. 2B: Chase Utley 3B: Placido Polanco SS: Jimmy Rollins LF: Laynce Nix CF: Shane Victorino RF: Hunter Pence Bench: Brian Schneider Ty Wigginton Jim Thome Michael Martinez Juan Pierre Rotation: 1. Roy Halladay 2. Cliff Lee 3. Cole Hamels 4. Vance Worley 5. Joe Blanton Bullpen: Jonathan Papelbon Antonio Bastardo Dontrelle Willis Michael Stutes Kyle Kendrick David Herndon Michael Schwimer 1B and LF will likely be some rotation of Mayberry, Wigginton, Thome, and Nix until Ryan Howard is healthy. Sounds like Domonic Brown will be screwed over yet again and is bound for AAA, even though he should hands down be the LFer this season. This is why giving Laynce Nix a guaranteed MLB contract sucks, because there is less room for flexibility. I also have a feeling the bullpen decisions will piss me off, as I'd much rather give chances to guys like Phillippe Aumont, Justin De Fratus, Joe Savery, etc than Kendrick and Herndon. But whatever. Anyway....opening rant complete! As always, barring the arrival of more Phillies fans to OTR, this will probably turn into Phightins' personal Phillies blog, but chime in with all opinions and thoughts!