If I asked fans a month ago if they thought the Philadelphia Flyers would ever reach .500 again this season, would they have said yes?

Most would say no, which, with the worst start in franchise history, is not a surprise.

However in recent years, the Flyers have gained a knack for the element of surprise.  A few years ago, on their remarkable run to the 2010 Stanley Cup Finals, the Flyers did the impossible in knocking off the Bruins in a 7-game playoff series after dropping the first 3 games.  Since then, however, the Flyers have slowly faded down the ranks of the NHL.  This year was only an addition to a slip in the ranks.  After starting their season 1-7, the boys in orange decided it was time to fight back.  Now with a record of 10-10-2, the Flyers are in a nice position in comparison to the beginning of the season.

Senior Dan MacDuff is optimistic about the season.

“The Flyers are on the way up after a poor start,” he said.

This is a mentality many students seem to share, including sophomore Trevor Rucci who said, “They had an awful start, but are turning their season around.”

Some blame the poor start on management, but, in reality, the management blamed it on the coaching.  After opening the season 0-3, Head Coach Peter Laviollete was fired by GM Paul Holmgren and replaced by his assistant, and former Flyer tough guy Craig Berube.  After Berube assumed the reigns, the Flyers appeared to turn it around.

“After the rocky start, the blame should have been put on Holmgren, not Peter Laviollete,”  said freshman Shayne Kesling.

Although there is still a lot of hockey left to play, most fans are eagerly looking ahead to the future.

Junior PJ Tome is also optimistic, “I think the Flyers are playoff contenders.”

Student teacher Mr. Edwin Truitt is a fan but tries to be realistic.

“I would like to say that the Flyers are playoff contenders, but there is still a lot of hockey left,” he said. “I don’t think they will make the playoffs because they lack a true leader,” said student teacher Mr. Edwin Truitt.

With 60 games still left to play, the Flyers will look to bounce back and put this rough start in the rearview mirror.  Optimistic fans might say it is all looking up from now on.  Pessimistic fans would disagree and say that its all downhill.  Only time and stats will tell though.