[Chris]

Obviously, the Philadelphia Flyers matchup against the Tampa Bay Lightning wasn't the banner sporting event involving a local team on Monday night. Nonetheless, this was a big game for the Flyers, a rematch of the 2004 Eastern Conference Finals. The Lightning ended Philadelphia's stanley cup hopes with a game seven win at home in June.

That item of information makes this rivalry more than about the standings, it makes it personal. The players that were present on that summer night of defeat in Tampa Bay remember it well, and they weren't about to let it happen again, were they?

The Flyers, though, jumped on the board first. Peter Forsberg scored at 17:51 of the opening period, assisted by Joni Pitkanen and Dennis Seidenberg. The Lightning matched the effort with a tally from former Flyers Vaclav Prospal at 18:08.

Dan Boyle gave Tampa Bay their first lead of the game at 0:32 of the second period, but Peter Forsberg scored at 3:13 on the powerplay to lock the game up at 2.

That would be it for the Flyers offense in the game, they were shutout for the remainder of the game by the defending champs. Prospal scored two more, and Martin Cibak added a goal in a 5-2 drubbing of the Flyers on home ice.

I noticed the penalty kill to be a big problem for the Flyers in this game. With key players sidelined with injuries, the younger guys need to continue to step up in key situations on special teams.

Losing to Tampa Bay hurts quite a bit, possibly more than losing to any other team. This loss reminds of the feelings we felt on that June evening two years ago. Granted, this is a regular season game, and the Flyers will live to play another game, quite a few of them to be exact.

But this game should put an end to the rumors that the Lightning are weak this season, even without Marty St. Louis, they were able to beat the Flyers individually, and where it counted.

The Flyers next take on Crosby and the Pens on Wednesday evening at the Wachovia Center.

[Scrooge]

Atleast we know there's gonna be a tomorrow this time.

Can't win em' all.


Oh yeah, Chris, stupid Cowgirls. The Eagles are offiicially cursed.

[Jlg-28]

well nice to see foppa net two goal , two bad they the fly boys could not pull out another comeback win. it is still al ong season so hopefully we will get them next time