Jackson's Five: Season-defining moments

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By next week, we will all be fully involved in analyzing the Flyers first round playoff matchup with, in all likelihood, the Pittsburgh Penguins. Thus, this is my last chance to look back at the regular season, which is three games from its conclusion. It has been full of excitement, tragedy, intrigue and accomplishment for this years edition of the orange and black.
As I sat down and tried to rank the stories and issues that impacted Peter Laviolettes club this season, I realized that, at least on this occasion, my name is a curse. Because my last name is Jackson, someone came up with the idea of making my weekly entry Jacksons Five. Thus, I am forced to narrow down so many great stories to just five.
As a result, such noteworthy developments as the impressive return of future Hall of Famer Jaromir Jagr to the NHL, the phenomenon that is Hartnell Down and a potentially record-setting road performance get honorable mention instead of top billing, even though they are all quite significant in the scope of the 2011-12 Flyers.
There were also so many memorable games, such as the unforgettable 9-8 shootout with Winnipeg, Danny Brieres hat trick (and fight) capped by an overtime winner against Ottawa, Scott Hartnells buzzer-beater to edge the Penguins as well as Sundays slugfest in Pittsburgh.
But, when I think back to the season that is about to wrap up, five other stories get the nod. Here are one persons opinion of the five stories that will mark the 2011-12 Flyers regular season:
Giroux joins the eliteA recent Hockey News poll of NHL players found Claude Giroux ranked third among all of those that perform in the league. Its official: He is clearly among the NHLs elite. A year ago, he was not nearly as high. But this season, the 24-year-old took that sometimes daunting step to the top ledge of the NHL playing hierarchy.
The numbers alone are impressive. He has racked up more points than any Flyer since 1999-2000. Hes become only the eighth Flyer to register 60 assists in a season. He has remained at or near the top of the NHL scoring race all season.
But with Giroux its about more than the numbers. He is clearly the straw that stirs the Flyers drink. His skill and passion are noticeable virtually every shift. Indeed, every time he hits the ice you have the legitimate hope that something special might happen. Opponents have to build their defensive game plan with Giroux in mind.
A club only gets an elite player in his prime every so often. Girouxs ascension to that category may have been expected by some before the season began. Still, the fact that it actually occurred is one of the more important developments this season.
Prongers injuryThe Flyers had learned to play without Chris Pronger some last season when he missed time with a variety of injuries. Still, when news came in December that Pronger was done for the season, it was punch to the gut for the club.
First of all, there is the personal side of the story. A standout player being struck down is always stunning and tragic. The little news we get about Prongers struggles with concussion-like symptoms is certainly cause for perspective. The most important thing is that he can get his life back to some sense of normalcy. Hockey can wait for him.
As for the team, the hockey does not wait. The Flyers had to move on without the presence and talent of Pronger. Several months later, some might take for granted how well they did that. A veteran defense corps led by Kimmo Timonen, some key contributions from some callups from Adirondack and two important pickups just before the trade deadline, all prevented a meltdown on the blue line. The team is 38-21-7 without Pronger in the lineup. The Flyers have survived.
Winter Classic weekendHeading into the season, this was probably the No. 1 story on Flyers fans minds. It did not disappoint. From the buildup with HBOs 247, through the phenomenal Alumni Game and onto the dramatic Classic itself (even with the disappointing ending), the entire experience produced memories of a lifetime.
In retrospect, I find some of the images of the Alumni game in particular, standing out. To witness representatives of the various eras of Flyers hockey out on the same ice surface getting love from more than 45,000 fans at Citizens Bank Park is something I will never forget. From Bernies save to Clarkies smile to Howes penalty shot goal to one last Lindros to LeClair hookup, that afternoon at the ballpark in South Philly rates as a very special day in Flyers history.
Bryz being BryzIlya Bryzgalov played a part in Winter Classic weekend, too. However, it was what he said and did off the ice that garnered the attention. For the Classic itself, he was the backup. It was just part of the up-and-down whirlwind that has been Bryzgalovs first season as a Flyer.
The plan was for the signing of Bryzgalov to bring the stability and a sense of calm to the Flyers net that fans have been craving for quite some time. What is it they say about the best-laid plans? Bryzgalov instead has seen his performance rise and fall more sharply than the volatile Dow Jones average in recent years. While searching for his game on the ice, he also searched for the proper way to handle the increased media and fan attention a goaltender gets in Philadelphia as opposed to Phoenix.
Then, as if he was splashed with some high octane pixie dust, he charged through the month of March, playing as well as any Flyer goaltender has in quite some time. He set records for consecutive minutes without a goal, was First Star in five straight games, and First Star of the week in the NHL two times running. The transformation was as stunning as it was necessary.
But, of course, it wouldnt have been in tune with the tumultuous nature of Bryzs season for him to roll on into the playoffs on a high. A chip fracture in his foot took him out of the net last week and now the concerns are if he is still in his nearly unbeatable rhythm with the playoffs a week away.
The final tale in the story of Bryzgalovs first year in the orange and black remains to be written. But one thing is for sure, he has been in the middle of the mix for one reason or another all season long.
Mission makeover a successOn June 23, 2011, one Flyer era ended and another began. General manager Paul Holmgren made not one but two blockbuster trades as he dispatched Mike Richards and Jeff Carter to Los Angeles and Columbus, respectively. It was the beginning of a complete makeover as more than half of the teams roster was overhauled.
Out went Richards, Carter, Ville Leino, Kris Versteeg, Nikolay Zherdev, Dan Carcillo and Darroll Powe among others. In came Wayne Simmonds, Brayden Schenn, Jake Voracek, Sean Couturier, Matt Read, Jagr and Max Talbot, to name some. Such a dramatic makeover to a team that was one year removed from an appearance in the Stanley Cup Final was bold to say the least.
Most observers wondered where the offense would come from. That question was answered with authority. Newcomers to the Flyers club from last year have registered 128 goals this season. Those that departed have tallied only 75! The Flyers have ranked among the top three teams in goals per game all season. Offense has not been a problem but instead a strength.
A remarkable crop of rookies has contributed significantly to this. First-year players have piled up 61 goals and 123 points, accounting for roughly a quarter of the teams total output. It will be one of the top seasons in recent Flyers history in terms of rookie production.
Thus, the makeover has been a success. The Flyers are younger and faster than they had been. They are just as deep. Holmgrens mission was accomplished. It turned a season some thought would border on rebuilding mode into one full of accomplishment and promise.
Of course, these are all regular-season issues. In one week, the real season begins. The Flyers success, or lack thereof, in the Stanley Cup playoffs will be what is remembered most about this season. Thats the way it should be.
Still, it is fun to look back and understand that it has been an eventful regular season in Flyer land.
E-mail Jim Jackson at jjackson@comcastsportsnet.com.

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