Broad Street Beat: The Complex’s Weekly Series on Philly Sports Teams
South Philadelphia Sports Complex
Photo By: Bill Cobb
The Complex is the new show on Olde City Sports Network, where they cover all the teams that call the Philly Sports Complex home. We aim to capture the feelings of fans, and writers alike as we navigate the ins and outs of the Flyers, Sixers, Eagles, and Phillies. Each week we will recap the goings on with your Broad Street based franchises. First on the docket this week is the Fly Guys.
Flyers
Samuel Ersson
Photo By: Heather Barry Images LLC
To say they are overachieving is an understatement. At the beginning of the season, if you said Flyers were going to be sitting 3rd place in the Metro Division with only 28 games left, most anyone across the NHL would call you a liar. Coming off of the All-Star break, they are 4-0 and rolling into Canada for a game against the very challenging Toronto Maple Leafs. However, newly named Captain Sean Couturier with the help of alternate captains Scott Laughton and the only Flyers all-star Travis Konecny, they are no doubt looking to continue their success. The absence of Carter Hart, due to the ongoing legal situation, has not deterred new starting goaltender Sam Ersson from winning three of the last four and only allowing 5 goals over this four-game stretch. Back up goaltender Petersen shinedin net as well, securing a win against the Kraken on Saturday night. Riding the stick of Konecny, and the likes of Cates, and Frost and some key assists from Tippet and others have made the Flyers a formidable foe for any team. It has also put the Flyers and Danny Brierre under pressure to make moves prior to the trade deadline, but with where this team sit currently, they may be better suited to stick with what they have because let’s face it, it’s working. Perhaps the most enticing play is to bring in a goaltender to sure us up between the pipes, and the team is linked to several out there. The Shark’s Kahkonen is a likely candidate, but the not often talked about better fit, is Copley or even Gibson. Either way, the team may be in the market. And as most know another team within the Wells Fargo Center were big sellers at the trade deadline in the NBA.
Sixers
The news of Joel Embiid potentially being out for the remainder of the season seems to have scared Daryl Morey into selling the farm this year to bring more in for the next couple of seasons. Rolling into the trade deadline, the Sixers were perceived buyers for another big-name star to sure up the starting lineup and maybe even the bench to allow for a deep run into the playoffs. After the injury news, Patrick Bev was traded to the Bucks for Cam Payne. Korkmaz, Morris Sr., and three second round picks were sent to Indiana to bring in Buddy Hield. Additionally, House was sent to the Knicks for a second rounder, and Springer to Boston for another pick. These moves seemed to show an admission of defeat, however, the most unlikely star to rise to the occasion is our 6’2” point guard, Tyrese Maxey. This kid has been a gritty presence that any Philly fan will love. He works hard and seems to leave it all on the court night in and night out. Maxey and Hield have helped stop their 4 game skid and the new addition of Philly born star Lowry to the starting lineup, the Sixers may not fall as far down the standings as initially anticipated. Embiid’s possible return around the start of the playoffs and the possibility of maintaining the status quo long enough to secure a playoff spot makes this team intriguing to watch post All-Star break. Even though these two teams seasons are close to the end, another teams season is about to begin.
Phillies
Pitchers and catchers reported today and spring training is set to begin next week. The Phils sit in much of the same place as they say sat at the end of the season last year. They locked up Aaron Nola for the season with a monster contract for the next 7 years. The only real notable absence from the team this year is Rhys Hoskins. Rhys entered free agency and ultimately ended up signing with the Brewers in Milwaukee. The team figured out how to operate without the likes of him last year, and whilst his addition to the lineup would have been a welcome addition back, it would have meant relegating someone else to the bench for a good chunk of the season. However, what we do know is that this is a 162-game grind and requires as many pieces as possible. This loss could ultimately backfire on us and when we have to compete with the Braves and Dodgers down the stretch it’s all hands-on deck.
Eagles
The season ended in disappointing fashion and not one fan is happy with the team’s performance over the last 9 games. The Buccaneers loss put us out of our misery and provided us what we all needed, a change. We were calling for people to be fired shortly after the Seahawks loss and the team did just that. Brian Johnson and Sean Desai are out, and Vic Fangio and Kellen Moore are in. Noticeably still here is Sirianni, and it begs the question, why? Well, the fact of the matter is, he led us to a Super Bowl last year with the help of two coordinators that are now head coaches. It’s not particularly difficult to pinpoint where things changed and why the downfall. If this ends up in another disappointing finish, then we may see the end of Nick as head coach of the Eagles. A change in personnel is warranted and with the draft set to kick off in April, time to start the speculation of who the Birds go after with their 22nd pick. Howie, the ball is in your court.
-Thomas McGuire/ Olde City Sports Network