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Lauridsen Standing Tall Among Young Flyers Defensemen

April 26, 2013

There are a handful of Flyers rookies who are looking to stand-out for Peter Laviolette as he starts to think about his blue line for next season.

For one, that may not necessarily be a difficult task.

Oliver Lauridsen is lucky he's a 6'6" mammoth of a man. Calling himself the "Great Dane" on Twitter, Lauridsen has been impressive for the Flyers in the 14 games he's played for Philadelphia so far.

Last night was just another example of what he brings to the table and it's certainly helping his cause.

With 6:31 left in the game, Lauridsen's screamer of a slap shot beat the Islanders' Kevin Poulin to give the Flyers a 2-1 lead and eventual victory. It was the second straight game in which Lauridsen scored a goal, both being credited as game-winners.

(Photo by John Russo/The Checking Line)

Laurd Oliver: Lauridsen Blasts Flyers Past Islanders

April 25, 2013

John Russo

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It's safe to say that this goal meant a bit more to Oliver Lauridsen than the first.

Credited with the game-winning goal for the second game in a row, Lauridsen scored the crucial goal in the Flyers 2-1 win Thursday over a playoff bound Islanders team in need of some points.

Lauridsen blasted a slap shot from the left circle that beat Islanders goaltender Kevin Poulin with over six minutes left in the game to snap a 1-1 tie.

Unlike his flukey first goal on Tuesday, Lauridsen's blast went untouched as it found the back of the net. It was his second goal in as many games.

"I don’t know. I think that first one I am going to remember forever, actually," Lauridsen said in reference to the own goal by Zdeno Chara on Tuesday that was credited to him. "This one I probably will too, but I’ll take both of them definitely."

(Photo by John Russo/The Checking Line)

Flyers Team Awards: Voracek Takes Home MVP, Most Improved

April 25, 2013

John Russo

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Before Thursday night's game against the New York Islanders, the Flyers handed out their annual team awards.

The following is the list of awards and the winners for the 2013 season.

(Pictured: Jakub Voracek. Photo by John Russo/The Checking Line)

Islanders Come to Town For Flyers Final Home Game

April 25, 2013

John Russo

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This is the final home game for the Flyers. They can give their fans something to cheer about all while preventing the Islanders of a good playoff seeding at the same time.

Read, Lauridsen Score Thanks to Lucky Bounces

April 24, 2013

John Russo

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For most of the 2013 season it seemed the bounces just weren't go the Flyers' way.

Bad bounces led to opponents' goals while they stayed out of the nets when the Flyers were on the offensive. Along with a complicated mixture of other factors, it kept the Flyers out of the post season for just the second time in the last 18 years.

That luck would finally change for the Flyers when it didn't really matter, but it felt good anyway.

In a 60-minute game for the Flyers, a minuscule seven-second window produced two goals which lead to the Flyers' eventual 5-2 win over the Bruins.

(Pictured: Matt Read during warm-ups before his game against the Bruins. Photo by John Russo/The Checking Line)

Mason Stones Bruins in 5-2 Win

April 23, 2013

John Russo

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Steve Mason is continuing his strong case as the Flyers top goaltender for next season.

On a night honoring the city of Boston with pregame festivities, auctioned jerseys and a rousing edition of "Sweet Carolina," Mason stole the show to stone the Bruins and give the Flyers a huge win.

Mason stopped 39 shots for his third win in a Flyers jersey, leading the Flyers to a 5-2 win Tuesday night.

(Pictured: Steve Mason. Photo by John Russo/The Checking Line)

Timonen's Season Ends; Lilja Recalled

April 23, 2013

John Russo

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At last, the battered Finnish warrior's season has finally ended.

Kimmo Timonen will miss the final three games of the 2013 season due to a foot fracture, an injury he more than likely may have been playing with for some time. He is the sixth Flyers defenseman to see his season end on the injured reserve.

Timonen's replacement will be Andreas Lilja, who was recalled earlier today from Adirondack.

Flyers Honor Bruins Tonight

April 23, 2013

John Russo

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The Flyers will honor the city of Boston tonight with patches, decals and donations. But it will all be business once the puck drops against one of their inter-division rivals.

Jagr's Presence Missed in Philly; Returns Tuesday

April 22, 2013

John Russo

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The Flyers found themselves in a tough position this past offseason, and that was whether to re-sign Jaromir Jagr or not.

The cons of bringing back the 41-year-old right winger out-weighed the pros for the Flyers front office at the time and the decided to part ways with the future Hall of Famer. They were concerned about his age and health during another long season, two factors the Flyers saw first-hand during the 2011-12 season.

Unfortunately for them, they made their decision before it was known there would be a 48-game season as opposed to the normal 82-game schedule due to a lockout and it may have cost the Flyers big time.

Jagr made his decision where to go in the off season, signing with the Dallas Stars for a one-year, $4.55 million back in July, well before it was even known what fate the 2012-2013 season would have.

(Pictured: Jaromir Jagr during warm-ups before a game against the Devils on April 10. Photo by Mike Ashmore)

Simmonds' Four Point Night Dispatches Canes

April 20, 2013

Jordan Kuhns

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Teams destined to miss the playoffs put on 60 minutes of hockey devoid of defense and chock full of a dominant performance by winger Wayne Simmonds in a 5-3 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes on Saturday night.

18 shots in the first period for the Flyers proved the insignificant defensive pressure by the Hurricanes. In fact, Jakub Voracek almost scored within the first 10 seconds of the game forcing starter Justin Peters had to make a desperate save to keep the puck from crossing the goal line.