GAMES- The News Is Good for Winter Teams

The News Is Good for Winter Teams
The Internet generation has captivated news seekers like nothing imaginable, but I still enjoy flipping through my thick Oxford Illustrated Dictionary. I don’t apologize for this because I’ve chugged past 49 years of age and 50 is on the signpost ahead.
My beloved book of words and definitions tells me that “news” is best described as “information about important or interesting recent events” as well as “recently received or noteworthy information.”
This is a sports column so we can debate how much of its content is important, but the week gone by in Philadelphia sports was clearly noteworthy.
No one could have predicted the Flyers’ magical ride through the seemingly endless Stanley Cup Playoffs. Through Sunday, goalies that define journeyman (Oxford says “a reliable but not outstanding worker”) have led Philadelphia to the unforeseen cusp of the Finals.
Years from now trivia buffs will struggle to name the only Flyers net minder to record three post-season shutouts. Bernie Parent is the obvious choice but the correct answer is someone named Bob Leighton. Oops. I’m sorry. The guy’s name is Michael Leighton.
Leighton is a shining example of perseverance and catching lightning in a bottle. He’s approaching 30 years of age, which is nearly Social Security time for most professional athletes, yet he’s accomplished some historical feats between the pipes as the lights have shone their brightest.
Even Brian Boucher found new life in the 2010 playoffs before succumbing to injuries in both knees.
What I will always contend is the magic of sports is how it transcends all of life’s challenges. Folks argue politics, religion, race and the economy with great fervor and deservedly so. Beliefs (“a firm opinion,” according to Oxford) are deeply held truths and are often unshakeable; however, those differences are cast aside when it comes to teammates or fans cheering in unison.
Sports are the great equalizer for a country achieving more and more diversity each day and enduring greater philosophical differences in everything from energy resources to immigration policy. Team loyalty helps wipe away those issues, albeit temporarily and in a land of make believe where reality takes a time out.
Despite a sour economy of devastating proportions, the success of Philly’s hockey team has elevated spirits across the region. Banners hang outside of homes. Jerseys and hats were dusted off for display. Orange and Black are the stylish colors this spring.
It’s such a neat thing and best of all; no one could have predicted it.
As Gomer Pyle used to say (now you know I’m nearly 50), “Surprise, surprise!”
These thrilling games bring back thoughts of the irreplaceable and emphatic calls of the late broadcaster Gene Hart. He’d begin each telecast with “Let’s go Flyers and let’s go Don Earle,” a reference to his booth sidekick.
The idea that a woman like the late Kate Smith could appeal to the masses tells you even more about how sports transcends cultural differences. This woman was not exactly a Hip Hop or Rock star, yet her rendition of “God Bless of America” stirs the soul of all Flyer fans from every generation and background.
If Philadelphia is indeed fortunate enough to eliminate Montreal they’ll meet up with the hungry Chicago Blackhawks. We know that finishing as the runner-up is about as memorable as the AMC Pacer (stop me before I really age myself) so if they’ve gone that far, the Flyers might as well win the thing.
Either way, it’s newsworthy that they’ve reached this point.
Speaking of anonymity, the region’s professional basketball team struck twice last week with the wise signing of new coach Doug Collins and the good fortune of dancing ping pong balls. With less than a 10 percent chance of doing so, the Sixers catapulted to the second spot in the NBA draft.
While Shaq or Tim Duncan are not waiting behind the curtain this year, we have to believe that some quality players are available. No one truly knows what will happen as names like Wall, Turner and Cousins are bounced around in the media in the coming weeks leading up to the June 24 selection. But you can hope that this news, this great stroke of luck coupled with a solid coaching hire, will begin the franchise’s turnaround.
While every Sixer fan has had reason for dismay, the recent turn of events has put some life back into a team left for dead. And that’s newsworthy, too.
Reach Rossi at joerossi61@comcast.net
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