First off this video…..and the words “We Will Respond!”
Here is the link of said video so you can watch in its entirety (thanks nhl.com)
Now some things this could mean……
Please note also that he clearly says again. Now I do apologize if this offends some Flyer fans but if you go back into revisionist history (which is always dangerous). Laviolette’s teams have a pattern of skirting the rules almost to the point of causing mind blowing fury. If you think I am kidding, I present Exhibit A.
Everyone remembers Game 3 of the 2006 Eastern Conference Quarters with the Habs up 2-0 in the series and game. Matt Cullen clocks Saku Koivu up the head so hard that he knocks him out of the playoffs. Carolina kills the 4:00 double minor and goes on to win Game 3 in OT and the series eventually. Does anyone think Carolina gets by Montreal with a healthy Koivu? I do not think so.
There was the constant running of Martin Brodeur that never really got called against New Jersey then Carolina proceeded to deplete Buffalo’s defensemen one by one. Though the infection caused by Jay McKee’s dirty equipment could not be blamed on them. Then Dwayne Roloson gets hurt in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals as Edmonton seemed to use 456 goalies in that round. The funny thing was yes they did win a Stanley Cup but it took seven games in a year that could be best described as frightful. Carolina did not win the Stanley Cup as much as they rode the wave. Truthfully this years Flyers reads kind of the same script and in the same way. Though it is a bit jumbled.
Flyers get 455 calls in Round 1 against New Jersey in a series that could be best described as what is a penalty and what is not. In Round 2, Mike Richards injured David Krejci in what most would call a reckless hit. Boston was up a few goals and up 2-0 in the series at the time. Boston would go on to win Game 3 but not another one after as Krejci was out for the series. Some will still maintain the Krejci “cheapshot” was the tipping point. The Conference Finals featured Philly getting a depleted, tired, banged up Montreal team that (give Philly credit) they took care of business.
Could Philly and Laviolette be getting a taste of their own medicine? The Flyers were finally “bullied” in Game 5 like they have bullied every playoff opponent this postseason. That is a Laviolette staple and anyone that wants to take me on task….prove it the other way…go ahead and try to. For Coach Laviolette to say “We Will Respond (Again)”, I know exactly what that means. If helmets were flying off Chicago players without penalty in Game 5, heads may roll in Game 6. Scary isn’t it?
Some other things this phrase could actually mean err sound clip…….
1. I’m Gonna Git You Sucka — Referring to Dustin Byfuglien
2. Philly’s goaltending will wake up? Really?
3. Will Grilled Cheese be on the menu to match my grin?
4. We will go for bone TONIGHT!
5. We will take the Stanley Cup and run.
Either way ladies and gentlmen, Game 6 will not be dull tomorrow night. It will be a spirited affair to say the least and just expect a ton of all over the place hockey. That is what this series has been aside from Game 2…helter skelter hockey and not its necessarily finest either. It just it what it is in a Peter Laviolette coached final. It really is uncontrolled chaos and frenetic play. Now yes Coach Q contributes to with his young team but Laviolette has always played this way and that is the difference. Have fun commenting away on this one.
