2008 Woodie Awards
Forsberg flies away to Nashville
Patrick Temple-West ’07
Issue date: 2/21/07 Section: Sports
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The biggest hockey news sweeping through Philadelphia this weekend was the departure of star Flyers forward Peter Forsberg to the Nashville Predators.
The Flyers officially became "sellers" in the NHL trade deadline marketplace.
As the Predators gleefully welcome one of the NHL's most exciting and productive players-depending on his health-the Flyers admitted that their organization is entering its rebuilding phase.
But the hope is that a Stanley Cup contender won't have to be rebuilt from scratch.
Forsberg was swept out of the locker room Thursday night minutes before the Flyers started their home game with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
The Flyers lost 4-2-undoubtedly distracted by the abrupt loss of their assists leader. They now have to find a replacement for the player who, when healthy, was the focal point of the team's offense.
"So far, the [Forsberg trade] hasn't had any effect on the team," said Phantoms head coach Kjell Samuelsson.
The Phantoms remain relatively unaffected by Forsberg's departure. Scottie Upshall, the player sent over from Nashville, will join the Flyers.
The Phantoms beat the Portland Pirates, 2-1, in a thrilling shootout victory Friday night.
The action remained relatively tame in regulation, as both teams could only muster a goal apiece.
But in the shootout, Ryan Potulny scored twice to secure the two points for the Phantoms. He was the Phantoms first shooter and scored with a slow snapshot that beat Pirates' goalie, Sebastien Caron. He was also the Phantoms last scorer, sealing the win with a move that has been named "the Forsberg".
"He's the one who perfected it," said Potulny. "It's just something you do in practice and finally you get the guts to do it in a game."
To execute "the Forsberg", the shooter comes across the goal on his forehand. At the moment when it seems impossible for the shooter to go to his backhand, he stretches, with one hand on the stick, to tap the puck past the goalie's weak side.
The Flyers officially became "sellers" in the NHL trade deadline marketplace.
As the Predators gleefully welcome one of the NHL's most exciting and productive players-depending on his health-the Flyers admitted that their organization is entering its rebuilding phase.
But the hope is that a Stanley Cup contender won't have to be rebuilt from scratch.
Forsberg was swept out of the locker room Thursday night minutes before the Flyers started their home game with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
The Flyers lost 4-2-undoubtedly distracted by the abrupt loss of their assists leader. They now have to find a replacement for the player who, when healthy, was the focal point of the team's offense.
"So far, the [Forsberg trade] hasn't had any effect on the team," said Phantoms head coach Kjell Samuelsson.
The Phantoms remain relatively unaffected by Forsberg's departure. Scottie Upshall, the player sent over from Nashville, will join the Flyers.
The Phantoms beat the Portland Pirates, 2-1, in a thrilling shootout victory Friday night.
The action remained relatively tame in regulation, as both teams could only muster a goal apiece.
But in the shootout, Ryan Potulny scored twice to secure the two points for the Phantoms. He was the Phantoms first shooter and scored with a slow snapshot that beat Pirates' goalie, Sebastien Caron. He was also the Phantoms last scorer, sealing the win with a move that has been named "the Forsberg".
"He's the one who perfected it," said Potulny. "It's just something you do in practice and finally you get the guts to do it in a game."
To execute "the Forsberg", the shooter comes across the goal on his forehand. At the moment when it seems impossible for the shooter to go to his backhand, he stretches, with one hand on the stick, to tap the puck past the goalie's weak side.
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