Riley Cote News

The Atlanta Thrashers ' stretch of Flyers futility is finally finished. Johan Hedberg steered aside 34 shots, leading Atlanta to a 1-0 win against the Philadelphia Flyers on Saturday night at Philips Arena.

Usually, a four-point night is one to be celebrated. After Monday night's game in Denver, a brutal 5-4 loss to the Colorado Avalanche , nothing could console - not even a two-goal, two-assist effort.

Flyers coach John Stevens said at practice on Tuesday that goalie Brian Boucher would "definitely" start at least one game on the Flyers' current five-game road swing.

Flyers captain Mike Richards has become the poster boy for the NHL's crackdown on blows to the head and quite frankly, he doesn't like it.

"He's capable of great performances and we know that so we have to be good defensively ourselves.

In the spirit of Halloween, I decided to create an NHL version to the Bobby "Boris" Pickett classic The Monster Mash.

Very quietly, Danny Briere has missed practice in each of the last three days since Wednesday.

Flyers left wing Simon Gagne's bid to play in his third Olympic Games could be in serious jeopardy.

WASHINGTON For now, there is no update on Flyers winger Simon Gagne . Gagne did not practice on Monday after only skating in one shift in the third period of Sunday's 4-1 loss to the San Jose Sharks.

The Flyers will have their captain and best player in uniform for tonight's game against San Jose as the NHL decided not to suspend Mike Richards for his hit on Florida Panthers' left winger David Booth on Saturday night.

The Flyers will have to go a long way to knock the Phillies off the front page, but the ball team's success has distracted from a battle between captain Mike Richards and the Philly media.

It's always a joy to see hockey brawlers as fairly rounded individuals. Even if most of their interests involve the infliction of pain in some form, be it practicing MMA fights or bringing a tattoo needle down on someone's skin.

Riley Cote wasn't looking for a new hobby this summer - just something to pass the time during what seemed like an interminable offseason.

"I'M 40 NOW, BUT my plastic surgeon tells me I look like I'm 30," jokes Jack Mackenroth , a former "Project Runway" contestant who will be in town Sunday taking part in the AIDS Walk.

The Philadelphia Flyers have the next four days off before their next game on Friday night against the Panthers in Florida.

Van Riemsdyk will be out of the lineup tonight against Pittsburgh because of this hit by Washington's Milan Jurcina.

The Flyers' thrilling 6-5 overtime win over Washington last night was costly as Blair Betts, the fourth-line center, suffered a dislocated right shoulder late in regulation.

After a productive four-year Flyers stint in which he scored 114 goals and was a strong locker-room presence, classy right winger Mike Knuble found himself in the Wachovia Center's "other" dressing room tonight.

They came from Tinton Falls and Wayside and, of course, Middletown. Longtime Devils and Rangers fans, their allegiances have been forever flipped to a team they grew up despising.

When the Flyers opened their 42d season at Carolina last night, Arron Asham was the most eye-opening of the team's three scratches.