[Chris]

Ladies and Gentleman, the Philadelphia Flyers quest for the Stanley Cup has ended at the hands of the Tampa Bay Lightning. With the loss tonight, that makes the third Philadelphia team to be eliminated by a Florida team. The epidemic has crippled Philly sports fans of all sorts.

Enough about that, the main point is that the Flyers season is over. They had a good run at times, and not at other times. The Flyers were led by the likes of Recchi, Roenick, Primeau, LeClair, Amonte, Zhamnov as well as a host of others in Orange and Black. The team went through the ups and downs just as much, if not more than any other team. Memories like the Ottawa Vs Philadelphia Brawl-filled game will linger for a while, just as the horrible images of Jeremy Roenick?s jaw being shattered will stay with Flyers fans for years to come. All in all, the Flyers continued to improve with time this season. Adding the likes of Alexei Zhamnov and Sean Burke, and temporarily Mike Comrie. These players played valuable parts of the team?s success and disappointments during the 2004 campaign.

In my recent memory, it seems that the Flyers have been constantly taking one step forward, and two steps back. The team has added great players and given up great young ones in the past decade or so, leaving Flyers thinking what if? That phrase ?what if?? must have been repeated throughout Philadelphia countless times over the years of disappointments. ?What If?? doesn?t help the fact that Flyers fans will spend another summer wondering what the season would have turned out if certain situations went a different way.

Frustration sets in as well; years and years without a Stanley Cup come and go. Every year is the same, we?re built up and we all fall a little bit further that May. Critics say the same thing every season, and the sad part is, they?re usually right. The Flyers build up expectations that are just marred every season.

I ask you, the Flyers fan, to remember the memories of the 2003-2004 NHL season. Because, a next year may not come for a while. Remember the brawls, the injuries. Remember the cheers; remember the hurt that we all feel this evening. Because there is a good chance, that we?ll just feel it all again next season, whenever that may be.

This being the final report of the season, I would like to thank all of you for reading my reports this season, I truly hope that you have enjoyed them. And I thank you for your comments, concerns, and support this season.

-I would first, like to thank Drew and Rob, you?re the guys that gave me the opportunity to write for the site. I wouldn?t be here without you guys.

-I want to thank Jeff; you have provided so many comments throughout the year. If you look at the reports through the whole season, you?ll see Jeff commenting just about every report. Thanks buddy.

-Rex, this doesn?t really have to do with the Post Game Reports Department. But, just want to give you props for the whole GTS thing. I dropped off towards the end. But you?ve put a lot of your time in with all of the points and such. Thanks for that.

-I knew that I should not have started naming people. You know who you are that have helped me throughout the season. Just to name a few: TonyFatt, Minime7219, Andy, Blindside, Eric, vill_chouine all of you guys. I just listed by recent comments that ive received on my reports.

-If I didn?t name you, you know who you are. Thanks for everything this year. I know that I?ve learned a lot.

After tonight, I look at the season as a big step for the Flyers. But, a disappointment. And it worries me that the NHL will not be playing next season, A year without hockey would be devastating to the league, I?m hopeful that the two sides will settle. And we can start our next campaign for good ole? Stanley.

And once again, we?re left holding the stick.

Thanks again for a great season,
Chris Banker
Philadelphia Flyers Post Game HIVE

[TonyFatt]

Yeah... that about says it all. Good job Chris. Good job Flyers.

Maybe another year.

[Chris]

I think it's all starting to set in right now, this one is going to hurt for a while.

[Drew]

Chris, you're welcome. I think I speak for everyone in that we are blessed to have you on board writing up the post-game reports. You did a WONDERFUL job bro.

Here's hoping your summaries stay with us for HIVE vIV.

[Andy]

Originally posted by Drew
Chris, you're welcome. I think I speak for everyone in that we are blessed to have you on board writing up the post-game reports. You did a WONDERFUL job bro.

Here's hoping your summaries stay with us for HIVE vIV.

Can't wait for V4. As for you Chris, your write ups were terrible!! I'm just kidding bro, great job writing them, and congradulations on your quickness in getting them up. They've always kept us informed and looking forward to the next game.

[Chris]

Thanks guys, as far as I know, I'll be back next year

[Jlg-28]

Great Job all year Long Chris , shame the season had to end , I always enjoied reading your thoughts on the game and adding my own , I hope you do return to do it again next y ear