Saturday, February 19, 2011
Posted: 11:21 a.m.
By Sarah Baicker
CSNPhilly.com
Flyers defenseman Matt Carle wont soon forget the last time his team faced the New York Rangers.
Carle, the quiet blueliner known more for being Chris Prongers defensive partner than for any sort of on-ice antics, became the target of notorious Rangers winger Sean Avery in the second period of the Flyers 3-2 win at Madison Square Garden Jan. 16.
In fact, after a brawl broke out in front of the Rangers bench, Carle was literally jumped by Avery, who continued to pound him long after hed fallen to the icebreaking what many consider to be one of hockeys codes of conduct.
Both players were assessed fighting majors for the altercation, an NHL first for Carle, who was a little less than impressed with what had transpired.
Well, said a snickering Carle after the game, I dont know if I would really call that a fight.
NHL
That exchangeand the game as a wholeis just the latest example of a storied bad blood between these two teams that goes all the way back to the 1960s, when the Flyers and Rangers participated in wild, physical battles each time they met. And it's just part of what makes the matchup a perfect feature for NBC's "Hockey Day in America," a day full of hockey programming on the Versus and NBC stations that will culminate in the airing of the Heritage Classic, Canadas version of the Winter classic. An event even the players themselves are looking forward to.
I think it's a pretty cool thing to grow the game a little bit, Flyers winger James van Riemsdyk said. I've seen how they do things on Hockey Night in Canada and it's neat.
The teams may not have faced each other in the playoffs for almost 14 years, but players and fans alike react as though theyre regular postseason competitors. Just try to wear a Rangers jersey to the Wells Fargo Center, or walk the concourse at Madison Square Garden in orange and black.
There are players on both sides who have spent time playing for each club, as well. As a Ranger, Jody Shelley, whom Flyers fans have never thought of as a goal-scorer, netted two against the Flyers the last two times the teams met last season. Rangers Steve Eminger, Vinny Prospal and Ruslan Fedotenko all spent time playing in Philadelphia.
At the moment, the Rangers arent exactly a big threat to the Flyers, who are expected to compete for the Stanley Cup for the second year in a row. But theres still fuel for their distaste of Philadelphias clubbeyond simple envy of the Flyers No. 1 conference standing.
Remember last April 11?
Most likely, theres not a single player who will take to the ice on Sunday who doesnt. In arguably the biggest regular-season game in Flyers history, the team hosted the Rangers in the 82nd and final game of the 2009-10 season, in an event that went into overtime and finally a three-round shootout. On the line was the last remaining spot in the Stanley Cup playoffs.
And, as any Philadelphia sports fan knows, it was the Flyers who came away with the big 2-1 victory.
Add that all up, and its pretty clear why Sunday afternoons game at Madison Square Garden isnt just another average matchup between a conference leader and a club struggling for a playoff berth.
Along with the other two games that will air on Sunday, the Flyers-Rangers matinee promises to be full of everything thats great about the game of hockey.
After all, theres history, ire and bragging rights on the line.
E-mail Sarah Baicker at sbaicker@comcastsportsnet.com
Related: Brind'Amour ceremonyBuy Flyers gear