Richards mad at media + media mad at Richards= Gross indifference

Well, two losses in a row and suddenly Mike Richards and the local media appear poised and ready to drop the gloves and start throwing them. Hopefully, Richie learned his lesson from Dan Carcillo and doesn't throw a punch until he's sure that Frank Seravalli and crew have committed to the altercation.

Sadly, I couldn't care less about this story. The big deal is the Flyers have played two first periods over the last two games and then left it at that. I don't care if Shadow (Richards) runs the Flyers beat writers over with a Zamboni or goes to Las Vegas and marries them all courtesy of Elvis himself. Just play for 60 min, win games and win a Cup while I'm still young enough to be able to spell the world cup correctly. After that, I don't care what you do. He can spend his summers in Pittsburgh drinking maitais with Sidney Crosby for all I care.

Winning, whether right or wrong, cures all ills.

Richards beef with the local media stems from their reporting of made up stories, like the Flyers alleged fondness for adult beverages and late night debaucheries. Such debaucheries include the recent fictional scandal involving Scott Hartnell's wife and Jeff Carter.

In a recent Hockey News article, Shadow tip toed around the idea that the local media has been making up stories about the team, something that even when your name is Sam Carchidi, doesn't exactly sit well with the journalistic types.

Joffrey Lupul was deposited in Anaheim this past summer in return for Chris Pronger to break up the Center City boys club that also featured Scottie Upshall, Richards, Chance (Carter) and Sassy (Hartnell). Apparently the boys didn't care much for this, or for GM Paul Holmgren's calling them out for their partying ways either. And still... I don't care.

There's a reason I don't watch soap operas or for that matter follow the Eagles that closely and it's because I have no time for sideshows and spectacles. I don't need to know what's going on behind the curtain and I don't care. Win games Richards. For the first time in your tenure as captain lead a team that consistently plays for 60 minutes. It's not hard, lots of players do it. Better yet, put some of that passion dislike for journalists into something constructive, like getting better at taking face offs.

Two loses doesn't break the season of course, but you really shouldn't be getting shut out by Toronto and you played well against the Caps until the first intermission ended. Effort needs to be there every game. You won't win every game, but the effort needs to be there. With a six game home stand coming up, the Flyers should be in a good position to resume climbing the standings. Being one point behind the NY Islanders, even with a game in hand, is not where this team should be. Not even close...