Flyers Turn On The Jets 10-2
SKYRINK, October 28, 2006 – When Herb Brooks was building his gold-medal winning Olympic hockey team prior to the 1980 Winter Games in Lake Placid, he knew 2 things: he would build a team, not a collection of the best individual talent and he would not take the job under any other circumstances. The Flyers have certainly not built their team in the spirit of Herb Brooks.
Like any collection of superstars, they will look good – almost unbeatable – in stretches, but when the going gets tough or the games become more important, teams built on individual achievement will surely falter.
The 2006 New York Yankees were called the best lineup ever assembled – in May. George Steinbrenner, however, doesn’t have the foresight, patience or sports acumen Herb Brooks had and the mighty Yankees folded in the playoffs to a team with almost no superstars.
As the 2005-2006 college basketball season unfolded, the University of Connecticut was all but awarded the national championship but then they lost their confidence and the trophy to a team nobody had ever heard of before. UConn had 5 players drafted in the ensuing NBA Draft, a record; George Mason University had none.
When Brooks’ team won the gold medal in 1980 it was called a miracle. Those familiar with team sports know better. Right now, it’s hard to imagine the Flyers losing a game. Then again, it’s only October.
Notes – Jack Whalen had 2 more goals for the Dogs…The Sled Dogs next game is November 11 at 8:30pm vs. Hockey Hegemony.
