Locals Sound Off About Flyers Playoff Hopes

was packed shoulder-to-shoulder at the start of game five of the Flyers-Sabres playoff series, with ice hockey on every TV in sight. With the series knotted at two games apiece, game five is a pivotal one, and that was not lost on the patrons watching the game. Unfortunately for the Flyers, they were missing some key players.

"We really need Pronger back to clear out the center in front of the net," said Steve Callahan, speaking of the Flyers' tower of power defense-man, Chris Pronger, who is trying to come back from hand surgery in time for game six. "And Carter," Callahan added, referring to center Jeff Carter, who rammed knees with six-foot-eight Sabres defense player Tyler Myers in the previous game and couldn't play in game five. "That definitely hurts our scoring."

With the Flyers trailing 3-0 early in game five, the outlook of Flyers fans could be expected to be bleak, but Callahan still thought that they could not only come back and win the game, but thought that the Flyers would win this series as well. "After that, though..." Callahan trailed off and shrugged.

This sentiment was dominant throughout those interviewed. Locals aren't forgetting the Flyers' playoff heroics last season, especially their historic comeback after being down three games to zero against Boston, down 3-0 in game four, and coming back not only to win that game, but the next three to clinch the series. They believe that the Flyers, whose roster is not drastically different than it was this time last year, could still recapture that magic.

"Nothing's over 'til it's over," said Dave Krupinski. "This is desperation hockey now," he added, looking at the 3-0 deficit on the scoreboard in the second period. "We're definitely missing Pronger."

Krupinski's wife, Jacqui, had more to add. "It's a home game. We have to get the fans back into it."

Jacqui Krupinski knows a thing or two about winning hockey too. She's played for eight years in the UWHL (United Women's Hockey League) on the White Lightning, who have won the league championship for the last two seasons.

One of Marple Newtown's favorite bartenders Jerry Maher claimed not to know much about hockey, but his opinion said otherwise. "Seems like they're playing down to their competition," Maher said. Like many other locals, he still felt pretty good about the Flyers' chances to come back, and even to repeat last year's Eastern Conference championship to reach the Stanley Cup Finals.

"I think it all hinges on the goal tending," Maher added, and then his face split into a wide grin. "One thing I do know about hockey for sure—the longer they go in the playoffs, the better it is for business."