"The Ax Falls in Philadelphia"

Hitchock fired! Clarke Resigns!


Ken Hitchock has been fired and Bob Clarke has stepped down as GM for the Philadelphia Flyers.

The rumbling started after the blowout in Buffalo. It was strange though when the players were put on waivers it came from Ed Snider, and he promised more changed was on the way. Quite a bit was riding on the way the team reacted to being torn up in Buffalo. They went out and lost the next two games to Tampa and the Panthers. It was a total mess. Someone had to pay the price.

Bob Clarke said during the press conference that he had wanted to step down since for quite sometime. In fact he told the Comcast CEO that after the Flyers actually had their only win all year.

Clarke sat there with all the other important people and told the media he lost his edge sometime back around the draft. He felt he didn't make many good moves over the summer. Lets face it he made about 8 player moves, and only Calder, Sanderson and Robitalle are still with the team. Sanderson has been the only player of that trio actually doing anything. Calder has been terrible, and Randy Robitalle, is well Randy Robitalle. If Clarke "lost his edge" who was that that made bold move to sign group 2 free agent Ryan Kessler away from the Cancucks?

Ed Snider confirmed what we all already knew. That he would have never, ever fired Clarke. He said Clarke game to him and said he wanted out a few weeks ago. Snider loves Clarke like a son. A bond they formed when he was a player and brought two Stanley Cups to Philadelphia. Not to mention put a face on a young sport in the city. Snider lived his dream through Clarke. Clarke was put right into the GM position when he stopped playing hockey, and was fired by than acting boss (Ed's son) Jay Snider because he was too close to the players still. Many years later he came back.

Despite falling short so many times, and signing two slow d-men till 2046 in the new NHL. Snider still never could bring himself to let his Clarkie go. In fact he was painted a bit like a noble warrior today. He just loved his team so much that stepped down since he was hurting and not helping. Clarke basically begged for a cushy job with the OR-GAN-IZ-ATION. Which he will get in due time. But in the end a watery eyed Clarke said his piece and bowed out. All the while his father figure Snider speaking so proudly about him.

As for Hitch. Snider also confirmed the rumor that the players didn't listen to a damn word Hitch was saying. He had zero control over the team. Which doesn't really make sense to me since, I can't imagine even players just in it for the money want to be blown out 9-1. The players seemed liked they were just doing their own thing. Hitch changed lines everyshift, so half the time the players had no idea who was stepping over the boards with them let alone how to make chemistry together.

The powerplay has been awful for 5 years now, and new coach John Stevens will have to address that starting. Well 3 hours ago. Stevens brought the Phantoms the calder cup home and played for the team for many years. Many of the younger players like Carter and Richards played for Stevens to that might be a good thing. The best thing for this team would to pretend that they are 0-0 and the season is just starting.

Stevens was always being groomed to be the next coach, but no on would have thought it would have came this quick. But, it had to be done. I think he COULD turn things around, but the only way this team will win is if they score more. Their defense it just beyond help. The younger guys need to score. Thats the bottom line. A team like this needs to score 4 goals a night in order to win, because they suck in the net and on the blueline.

I am not sorry to see Hitch go, it was time to change things up. Many people thought he would reve up the team to a cup, and Clarke would bring back the Cup from his desk job. Now that will never happen.

The Flyers won't play again till Thursday. They have plenty of time to turn things around. But it starts now. Thoughts?

"War is Ineviatble"

Things with North Korea is heating up. Thoughts? Fears? Do you think they got Nuclear Weapons just to defend themselves? Do you think they did it perhaps after Iraq was taken over in order to make it pretty impossible for the US to invade them ? If they did would World War III end in the destruction for everyone?
http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/story?id=2585531

"Malkin in the Middle"

Evgeni Malkin who former Flyers and current Penguin is comparing to Super Mario will make his NHL debut tonight (weds) with penguins. Playing center for Recchi and Ryan Malone. Rex ought know about Mario Lemieux since he played with him for several years in the Pittsburgh. Thats right, he is going as far to say that.

Malkin had his debt delayed after he ran into teamate John Leclair in the preason and missed sometime. This guy is getting lots of hype and many people think he will give Sidney Crosby (his teamate) and Alex Ovechkin a run for their money for king of the NHL in a few years.

At any rate, Pittsburgh is going to be a better team now. Maybe my playoff predicition was just a year too shy. Of course in typical NHL style, the game is not on national TV. Malkin is in the middle of a bunch of hype in the hockey world and all eyes will be on him not only for tomorrow but for a very long time. Here is a link to read.

"Nightmare on Broadstreet"

The Philadelphia Flyers lost to the Buffalo Sabres 9-1 tonight. It pains me to even type that. Honestly, call it my connection with a team I cared about for 27 years or whatever. But I saw this happening. All day I felt sick thinking about tonights game. I wasn't even looking forward to watching it. I played it in my mind, almost exactly the way it happened. A total nightmare.

Earlier moody goalie Robert Esche took a shot at his coach, playful or Esche is really unhappy. I almost think tonight was a set up. Esche has mentally been a mess all pre-season and into this season. He was rude to reporters and clearly not mentionally up to meet the Sabres the team that destroyed the Flyers last spring. Hitch knew that.

I think Hitch figured, it was win a win situation for the team. If Esche played like he did that one playoff game. Hitch would look really smart and actually have a win. Or, likely Esche gets blown to bits, and loses his last ounce of confidence and Hitch destroys him for good. Well, Hitch never pulled Esche at all. 9 goals! He wasn't pulled. Never ever saw that before. Clearly this might be Esche's last game as a Flyer. Look for him to say something really negative or weird to break the camels back the next 48 hours. He is close to a total breakdown.

I really don't know where to start. The d-men might be the worst ever assembled on any Flyers team. Hatcher on the ice in the meadowlands from Saturday's night skating to the bench. I think Freddy Meyer might have down syndrome. Randy Jones seems to forget the simple rules of not giving the puck to players wear different color jerseys.

It wasn't until Carter scored the loan Flyers goal that I realized that he is indeed still a Philadelphia Flyer. I had not heard his name since last season. My fears off trading Michael Handzus to the Blackhawks for Kyle Caldar as a bad move might soon come true. You see I figured we already have fast guys that could score, so why give up a clutch player like Zues? I guess I was partly wrong on that. Since Caldar doesn't actually score. Oh, yeah and Zues is playing great on #1 line with the leagues leading scorer.

I don't know....what do they do fire Hitch? Nah, they just gave him two more years. I gave up the pipedream of Clarke being fired. He will never lose his job. Ever. Anyone other GM would have been fired 5 times with the mistakes he made. All the Clarke must go websites even stopped being funny about 2 years ago.

I really think the Flyers should do what have been rumored to be interested in. Sign Brian Leetch. I know he is old, but honestly the d-men are just awful. With Rico and Johnson gone there is nothing holding them together. Hatcher is awful, so how could he actually teach anyone anything? The other guys are too young and no one is helping them at all. It is totally anarchy on the blueline right now.

Hell, Sanderson and Kappy are playing on the point for the powerplay. We can't even find a D-men to help out. I bet Neved's model wife is glad she left him, and Forsberg wishes he had to have his other foot broken.

Through sickness and health. I am a fan. But this is really rough. They were painful to watch tonight. I might have to be drunk for each game by the All-Star break. It will likely be like putting 82 little dagers in my heart this season. Truely, one of the only things I loved my entire life, refuses to love me back. But yet I keep coming back like some white trash trailer slut who gets beat by their hick boyfriend.

Never learning my lesson. Always thinking the light at the end of the tunnel is coming off the Stanley Cup in the sunlight.Instead its the 4:34 PATCO running me over any throwing my body into the gutter only to have my corpse chewed on by rats.

I can't even type anymore...the start of the season is supposed to be full of hope and fun to lead me up to have my spirits crushed in the spring. Instead it nothing but humiliation, darkness and despair. A really, really dark day. I am drinking alone again tonight.

In order to offset the darkness of this post he is a picture of a guy dressed as a chicken. LOL! Look its a guy in freaking chicken suit!

"Philly's Most Disgruntled"

Disgruntled netminder Robert Esche will start for only the 2nd time this season. This will be against those same Sabres who torn the Flyers apart last spring and sending them to the golf courses early

Esche is totally miserable, and hates it here at this point. When asked about his start, he took a shot at coach Hitchock's intelligence. Clearly begging for a ticket out of here. The ship is sinking and Esche wants off.

Buffalo hasn't lost yet this season. Meanwhile the Flyers have been struggling big time only winning one game all year and dead last in the divison. Hitch is desperate and basically wrote all the names of fowards on sheets of paper and put them in a hockey helmet. He than shook the helmet up real good and picked 3 sheets papers per line.

Seriously, folks here is the link

"I Want to Party With YOU Cowboy!"

Found a pretty amusing story about Bill Murray one of my all-time favorite actors here. Anyway while we are on the subject of Bill Murray. I would really like him to play a different role in his next movie.

I mean I really respect and enjoyed the different direction he took his career in over last 7 years or so. He was great in Rushmore, and I loved that movie. He played the kind of middle-age I hate my life type of role. Only problem is he keeps playing it. Lost in Translation (although I think Groundhog Day is a better performance) was really good, but I hated Broken Flowers. I think I really hated it mainly because I had seen this same character done better. Along the way he was totally wasted in Royal.. and Lost City put me to sleep about 50 mins into the film.

Now I know he is too old do roles ( he also looks about 10-15 years older than he is) like Caddyshack or Stripes anymore. But, I want to see smart-ass sarcastic Bill again. It's time to stop playing the dying on the inside Bill Murray depress but still occasionally funny role. Again, I did like he had the balls to try different things, it actually kept his career alive, and he can do drama. I mean if he didn't he would be put on "I thought he was dead lists" like Chevy Chase.

I would love to see him play off the younger generation of comic actors out there like Ben Stiller or Vince Vaughn. Life Aquatic was a step in the right direction playing off Owen Wilson but even still he played a depressed guy. I do think however it was likely his funniest movie since Kingpin. Murray would make a list of about 25 actors who I would watch anything and everything they star in. In fact I still have a few friends who want to cut my brakes for making us go see Charlies Angels.

At any rate this article is basically about Bill Murray randomly showing up at a part with a bunch of college age kids. 20 Tucker's World Point to anyone who knows that Murray movie the title of this article references. Mr. Murray if you are reading this you are more than welcome to come over for scary movie night.

here is the story.

"Priceless"

Price is still passed out on my couch from last night. I have been up for two hours now. We may or may not have to throw his lifeless body to the floor for scary movie night next week. Again I might need help from my netflix buddys for this one. Of course if you are reading this post first, it doesn't make much sense.

"Scary Movie Night: Oct 21"

Scary Movie Night will take place on Saturday October 21st at my apartment. I am thinking 8ish. The idea is pretty simple we sit at my apartment and two back 2 back scary movies. I am trying to get them off of Netflix as soon as i can. But I might need help from one of my netflix buddies for the 3rd opition I have planned. I figure we would have 3 to pick our two from. Honestly, I wanted to go with a bolder move and choice supposed scary movies that I have never seen. Which could end up in another nightwatch night. But anway here are the options. Why don't you rank them, since there is a good chance I won't get one in time from my netflix cycle for Saturday. At least not without the aid of a netflix buddy.

In addition to the movies, Rick should be bringing his pumpkin beer.

1.
The Changeling
Director Peter Medak's haunted-house tale stands as one of the most chilling stories to make it to the big screen. When composer John Russell (George C. Scott) loses his wife and daughter in a car wreck, he seeks solace by renting a secluded estate outside Seattle. But the mansion is haunted by the presence of a child who died there more than 80 years ago. Now, Russell must find out who that child was, and why there seems to be a cover-up now.


2.Ghost Story
Four New England octogenarians -- the self-styled "Chowder Society" -- have harbored a terrible secret for half a century. But their Pandora's box of subterfuge is about to have the lid ripped off. Starring Fred Astaire, Melvyn Douglas, Douglas Fairbanks Jr. and John Houseman, this modern ghost story packs chills and indelible performances from a clutch of Hollywood valedictorians.

3. Dawn of the Dead
Picking up where Night of the Living Dead left off, this classic horror flick from director George Romero begins with zombies taking over every major city in the United States. Running for their lives, Peter (Ken Foree), Roger (Scott Reiniger), Stephen (David Emge) and Frances (Gaylen Ross) find refuge in a remote shopping mall, only to discover they must fight a motorcycle gang as well as the undead ghouls.


The last one is the original from the 70's, and yeah its sequel but I'm sure it doesn't matter much. It has zombies.

Anyway, thanks for everyone that came out last night to Sharkeys. Thanks big time to sara for all the shots. Happy Birthday by the way. Of course she doesn't read my blog, so...

ps... It's going to be spooooooooooooooooooooooky!

"PLANE CRASH IN NYC!"

http://www.breitbart.com/news/2006/10/11/D8KMKFBO2.html

NYPD said there is no reason to think this would be an act of Terroism. Too early to tell for sure though i guess. Two have been confirmed dead.

"Show Me the Sway"

So, after the huge crowd left the Eagles Stadium they were put into a huge panic because they said the whole building started to sway. Some fans thought it was an earthquake and began to panic and push and shove to fight for their lives.

Lincoln Financial has basically shrugged it off. Saying, nah don't worry about it. I am sure thousands of people thinking they were going to be burried to death in the rubble of our stadium after it started shaking didn't see nuttin.

If there is one thing I have learned that Governments and Companies never lie. So, I am sure there is nothing to this at all. Fans should just forget this non-sense and buy tickets to the next birds game as the stadium fills to near illegal (if not illegal) capacity.

Forget this non-sense about this building swaying! Check out the link to 6ABC (WPVI)
http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/story?section=local&id=4646368

"Thanks One and All"

Thanks for everyone that came out for the Tucker's World Flyers event last weekend. I hope if I word this vaguely it will sound a lot cooler to the people didn't go. Anyway thanks to Ed who left enough beer here to keep me stocked for a month, not to mention to be able to have the choice of the beer I desire. Oh, yeah and thanks for Tom for bring his female friend (who's name I alway forget) so it wasn't a 100 percent sausage party. Anyway, as all of you should know my birthday is Friday (the 13 th oooooo spooky!).

Oh yeah, anyway I think I am going to have people go up to Sharkey's Friday night. Also, continue the Keith is actually single for his birthday weekend bash by going to America's favorite playground Atlantic City on Saturday. I would like to go down early Saturday, but would meet up with people who want to go later some place. If I am not naked wearing a barrel at that point.


Oh yeah. Dr. Who fans Drew told me Dr. Who is on at 8pm on Friday now, so that makes it still early after the show to come on up. I don't expect to go there till 10pm anyway. Also, Sharkeys is a lot more fun in the cold weather months people actually go there. So, at this point I am leaning towards doing that for Friday night, unless someone could think of something better to do. But I think since its close to most people and cheap it will cater to most people. I won't mind going to the city, but I just don't see that happening.

"Oh, Puck Linda Cohn!"

This link here is a hockey article from ESPN's website. I could not disagree with this woman anymore.

She is basically begging the NHL to start the season 3 weeks later and making the season shorter. This would be to appear to the casual fans who usually don't bother to start watching hockey untill after the Super bowl.

I am a die hard fan and follow the wonderful world of hockey all year round. Including the off season free agents moves, and trades.

Yeah, I do agree with her that hockey is a "niche" sport, but behind the fact at work I struggle to find someone to talk hockey with, there is no drawbacks to it. I love my sport, I love everything about it. I don't care about some asshole in the bible belt that doesnt wants to watch college sports all, a bunch of schools he never went to mind you.

I am so sick of people in the NHL and that write about the NHL, saying they should kiss the ass of the casual fan or joe idoit who is watching NASCAR each weekend so they watch the sport and beef up ratings. I am so sick of people trying to change the game and screw the die hard fans to impress the popular kids who are all at the football and baseball parties.

Linda Cohen, you stupid bitch, its dumb ideas like you that resulted in the glowing puck. It the hardon for wanting to be a "big boy sport" that almost ruined the sport. So, what its a niche sport that means its fans are hard core. Attendence was up big time last season. So, team are making money. There isn't NFL money in the TV rights the game, and there never will be. There wont be ever. Get over it. Even if the season is just two weeks, and players get voted off each week.

If you want to stir this wonderful sport back into an iceberg like lock out, than go ahead and keep watering down the game with more commericals and pull more casual fans in. Yeah, go ahead and thumb your nose at all the fans that came back after lockout for a game the loved so much they couldn't stay mad at it.

For me the season starting when it does is just fine. Summer ended, my baseball team is eliminated it's perfect. But this dumbass thoery would have me wait almost another month and have less hockey to watch. All for what? In hopes that I could get a hockey buddy at the watercooler?

I don't hate the casual fan, in fact I welcome him a board when he joins the party half-way through the season or in many cases in the playoffs. I fill him on the story leading up to the greatest playoffs in sports.

Making less games would just give the owners a reason to jack up the prices and put the screws on the real fan base. A month shorter? That is what about 15 games? How about no games when Lost is on? Or if they play they just take an hour break so everyone can watch it?

Linda, maybe Forsberg can some over and cook dinner for a non-hockey watching family during that extra month he will have off? Or Sidney Crosby can show up a frat-houses and teach all the guys doing kegs stands what a blue line is.

Hockey fans become fans by being converted by other fans. Very few of them are just mindlessly flipping channels and say. Hey, the sport on ice I never watched. It was sure nice of them to stat the season later to cater to me. I think I am going to watch!

If all the sports fans the only watch the NFL package and don't know who the hell Alexander Ovechkin is were jumping off the Saddledome roof, would you Linda?

"The Big Chill"

The first real blast of cold air is on the way this coming weekend. Highs only in the mid-50s and lows in the 30s on Saturday. Temps will stay chilly for a few days. Many early predicitions have a cold winter instore for the Tri-state area.

People are saying PA will get a good deal of snow. I have seen us under the cold and dry, and cold and wet predicitons. On the other hand other people think El Nino will make it a mild winter. So, its really early to say right now, but I would say the majority predicitons I have seen tend to favor a really nasty winter this year. Even some going as far to say the worst in over 10 years for the Northeast, including the gardenstate.

Hard to imgaine, but soon it will be winter storm blogs on here.

"Checkmate"

The day before the Philadelphia Flyers lost to the New York Rangers, Flyers forward was asked how to frustrate Ranger superstar Jaromir Jagr. Keep in mind the two were teamates.

"When you sleep with his girlfriend. That frustrates him most. We've got to go and find her"

Flyers ended up losing the game in the shootout. They play the Rangers again on Tuesday in NYC.

"The Orange and the Bleck"

Flyers 0 Penguins 4

The Philadelphia Flyers kicked off their 40th season in the worst possible way last night. They were beat by the (perhaps formerly) hapless Pittsburgh Penguins 4-0. Starting the season the way the ended the last season making fans burry their faces in their hands.

Sure its only one game out of 82, and they always seem to get beat in the opener, however you can't ignore the signs of trouble here. They went 0-10 on the powerplay which is enough to make you sick to your stomach. They didn't score once. Their terrible system of having players stand motionless instead of skating during the man advantage seems to still be in place for some odd reason.

This is officially the beginning of the end for Flyers goalie Robert Esche who was awful tonight. It's well known that he is a huge head case and gets down easily. He is fairly weak minded and is easily set off. I doubt he will ever eat spinach again. It's clear the people high up favor Antero Nittymaki over Esche, so much so they are trying to convince him to play through the pain of his hip and blow off surgery. They would rather a dopped up on pain killer Nitty over Esche.

The defense is a disgrace, plain and simple. Freddy Meyer spent the entire night spinning around and watching the puck end up in his own net. With Lar Johnson returning soon from a sprained ankle I bet Meyer is sent back to the Phantoms. If Johnson isn't ready to go for Saturday's home opener vs the Rangers expect new comer Riley Cote to step in. Cote, is supposed to be a rough and tumble type d-men.

Debuts of Geoff Sanderson, Kyle Calder, Nolan Baumgartner and the return of Boyd Kane was soured if not non-existent. Sanderson had a few good plays, and Bamgartner a mid-game scrap but certainly they didn't seem to make the team looking and better than the train wreck that was the 2005-06 team.

Carter, Richards and Calder were supposed to be white hot line. They did nothing. The deuces Wild, were more like the deuces LAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAME.

GM Clarke clearly could see the writing on the wall, and ripped the team in Sunday Philly inquirer. It's pretty clear that there might be a chemistry problem here, and a still big trouble when it comes to the special teams.

The Flyers must regroup quickly in time for the home opener vs the Rangers. This will kick off a home and home with the jerks to the north.

All, and all a pretty piss poor showing by the orange and bleck.

"Somewhere Over the Delaware"

Message From Royce: I'm out of state on business half the time. I've been thinking about catching the eagles game in Jersey. Soon things will settle down at the studio and I'll be able to come by if it's okay. We can order pizzas and drink beer. Maybe I'll bring some microbrew. I'll show you some cards tricks I've learned. It'll be a hoot! ---- Guys did Royce sell out to "The Man"?

"I Will Long Wait Them!"

HOW did i go from a "short wait" till a "long wait" in waiting for X-men 3 to arrive via netflix. I won't get it till next are week at least! I still haven't seen this movie, my weekend is ruined! Ruined!

"Blades of Steel!"

The NHL starts the 2006-07 season Wednesday October 4th! The Flyers start their season on Thursday with their first home game Saturday night.

Put your arms in the air the greatest sport in the world is starting a new season.

"Why Does It Always Rain On Me?"

It was just typical Philly sports I guess. Despite that fact that the Phillies GM told the fans and media in July, basically that the team was done for the year.He added 2007 was going to be just as bad, so season ticket holders should just slit their wrists. The Phillies ended up playing meaningful baseball in September.

This time last week the Phillies actually had the Wild Card spot. Things went sour from there. Losing that game in hand to the Astros, made me think we were in trouble. Despite the fact that the Phillies didn't get eliminated till yesterday (Saturday) they were done Thursday night lets face it.

In typical WTF Philly fashion the game started about 15 mins before midnight because of downpours in DC where they were to take on the Nationals. The Nationals mind you were so, far out of it they likely just wanted to go home to their nice warm beds, however they managed to beat the Phillies. Many people went to bed that night thinking that the Phillies were rained out and no one watched the game that pretty much dampened (pun intended) the Wild Card dream. Oh yeah and LA one of the teams there were chasing scored flipping 19 runs! and let up 11!

Okay, so its all over. But the season had some good memories. Like Jimmy Rollins carry over hit streak from last season (36 games) and Chase Utley's hit streak not long after (35 games). Aaron Rowand smashing into the wall, and busting up his face. Cole Hammels proving he will be a pretty damn good pitcher. People who hated the 2005 squad couldn't help but like this team a lot better. Considering Bobby Abreau and Bell are gone. Also, likely Burrell and Liberthal likely played their last game for the fighting Phils.

It can't go with out mention the emerage of a superstar in the Philadelphia sport world in 1st baseman Ryan Howard. One of the best athletes the city has had in ages. For awhile when he was hitting homerun after homerun. You really had to stop what you were doing when he was at bat.

Jay, you are the baseball expert I would really like to hear your take on this season and next season. Clearly, they need pitching and a catcher. Could next year be the year given their young core players?

At any rate despite the fact that the Phillies were fun to watch again, it kind of sucks that the no-layoffs for you streak is now 13 years( that is half of my life time). At least instead of sitting over a beer with a friend this summer for the first time since I can remember we actually talked about the current phillies status with out someone going into a fit of rage. Or, of course talking about that lovable 1993 team, that DIDN'T win the world series. That resulted in a certain blogger who should remain nameless crying himself to sleep that night.

I don't I said earlier in the season about games we should have won that would come back and bite us, thinking if we made the wildcard it would be by the skin of our teeth. But, somehow I think there might be more to it than that. I don't something more..sinister or perhaps evil....OH NO, No!.

"Tucker Goes Banana's"

I bought a banana Tree for my apartment for like 3 dollars. It is tiny now, but its supposed to grow to three feet and sprout bananas. It's going to rock. I don't know how long it will take though. However, when its time. It's bananas for everyone!

You guys should start a pool on how long it will take for the banana plant to die. Likey becauseI lose all interest in it and forget to water it or plot it in a bigger pot. Anyway, right now I got a flipping banana tree in my apartment and it's going to rock!