Bob Herpen
@pelle31lives.bsky.social
Former sportswriter, now medical writer, becoming a sports writer again without all the pressure. Neither the two shall meet. SJP '96, BC, '00, TU '06.
Pinned
Bob Herpen
@pelle31lives.bsky.social
· Jul 12
Cool, calm and collected: Cote continues championing cannabis
Courtesy of CBC News by Bob Herpen Phanatic Hockey Editor According to former Phantoms and Flyers player and assistant coach Riley Cote, ...
phanaticmag.blogspot.com
Earlier this week, I spoke with former #Phantoms & #Flyers player and coach Riley Cote about the entire arc of his experiences with "The Devil's Lettuce," once forbidden amidst hockey's alcohol culture, now accepted in NHL locker rooms: tinyurl.com/mtds7u5v
@flyersalumni.bsky.social
@flyersalumni.bsky.social
One semester down, one to go with @nhl-flyers.bsky.social NCAA prospects.
The future may be bright for guys like Porter Martone, but it has less to do with point totals now and more to do with how prospects are handled & pointed toward success.
Plus, a breakdown of key games to watch in 2026.
The future may be bright for guys like Porter Martone, but it has less to do with point totals now and more to do with how prospects are handled & pointed toward success.
Plus, a breakdown of key games to watch in 2026.
End-of-semester wrap with the dish on @nhl-flyers.bsky.social D1 prospects: @michiganstateu.bsky.social Martone, @bostonu.bsky.social McLaughlin @notredame.bsky.social Knuble, the mounting pressure to prove worth during "trophy season" and why prediction by points is useless: tinyurl.com/y95fceb3
College Hockey Roundup: Martone, McLaughlin and Mounting Pressure
Courtesy of the Daily Free Press by Bob Herpen Phanatic Hockey Editor With one semester down and another set to commence in January, here’s ...
phanaticmag.blogspot.com
December 11, 2025 at 11:48 PM
One semester down, one to go with @nhl-flyers.bsky.social NCAA prospects.
The future may be bright for guys like Porter Martone, but it has less to do with point totals now and more to do with how prospects are handled & pointed toward success.
Plus, a breakdown of key games to watch in 2026.
The future may be bright for guys like Porter Martone, but it has less to do with point totals now and more to do with how prospects are handled & pointed toward success.
Plus, a breakdown of key games to watch in 2026.
End-of-semester wrap with the dish on @nhl-flyers.bsky.social D1 prospects: @michiganstateu.bsky.social Martone, @bostonu.bsky.social McLaughlin @notredame.bsky.social Knuble, the mounting pressure to prove worth during "trophy season" and why prediction by points is useless: tinyurl.com/y95fceb3
College Hockey Roundup: Martone, McLaughlin and Mounting Pressure
Courtesy of the Daily Free Press by Bob Herpen Phanatic Hockey Editor With one semester down and another set to commence in January, here’s ...
phanaticmag.blogspot.com
December 11, 2025 at 2:42 PM
End-of-semester wrap with the dish on @nhl-flyers.bsky.social D1 prospects: @michiganstateu.bsky.social Martone, @bostonu.bsky.social McLaughlin @notredame.bsky.social Knuble, the mounting pressure to prove worth during "trophy season" and why prediction by points is useless: tinyurl.com/y95fceb3
One of the best moments in the pre-Super Bowl contender-era @philadelphiaeagles.bsky.social history.
I was watching this in a Herman's sporting goods store in Springfield Mall huddled around 13" portable TV-VCR sets trying to avoid Christmas shopping:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rmyu...
I was watching this in a Herman's sporting goods store in Springfield Mall huddled around 13" portable TV-VCR sets trying to avoid Christmas shopping:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rmyu...
Cowboys Eagles - 4th & 1 - Cowboys Stopped Twice - 12/10/1995
YouTube video by Chad Parma
www.youtube.com
December 10, 2025 at 7:24 PM
One of the best moments in the pre-Super Bowl contender-era @philadelphiaeagles.bsky.social history.
I was watching this in a Herman's sporting goods store in Springfield Mall huddled around 13" portable TV-VCR sets trying to avoid Christmas shopping:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rmyu...
I was watching this in a Herman's sporting goods store in Springfield Mall huddled around 13" portable TV-VCR sets trying to avoid Christmas shopping:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rmyu...
Reposted by Bob Herpen
Happy 60! Emmy and Peabody Award winning animated holiday special, “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” debuted on CBS in 1965. It finished No. 2 overall for that week (behind NBC's "Bonanza"), with a 45 percent share of the audience.
December 9, 2025 at 3:06 PM
Happy 60! Emmy and Peabody Award winning animated holiday special, “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” debuted on CBS in 1965. It finished No. 2 overall for that week (behind NBC's "Bonanza"), with a 45 percent share of the audience.
Just about this time 45 years ago, in front of the Dakota, John Lennon was murdered.
I remember on behalf of our parents' generation who elevated the Beatles to God-like status and passed it down to us, as many of them are now passed on.
A reality check in the midst of bitching about 🏈
I remember on behalf of our parents' generation who elevated the Beatles to God-like status and passed it down to us, as many of them are now passed on.
A reality check in the midst of bitching about 🏈
December 9, 2025 at 3:54 AM
Just about this time 45 years ago, in front of the Dakota, John Lennon was murdered.
I remember on behalf of our parents' generation who elevated the Beatles to God-like status and passed it down to us, as many of them are now passed on.
A reality check in the midst of bitching about 🏈
I remember on behalf of our parents' generation who elevated the Beatles to God-like status and passed it down to us, as many of them are now passed on.
A reality check in the midst of bitching about 🏈
Let's just agree to agree that both @philadelphiaeagles.bsky.social and @chargers.bsky.social haven't really been focused and invested enough in doing what they need to wrest control of this game.
Pretty bad overall a game as pitting two 8-4 teams expected to go deep into the postseason could be.
Pretty bad overall a game as pitting two 8-4 teams expected to go deep into the postseason could be.
December 9, 2025 at 3:11 AM
Let's just agree to agree that both @philadelphiaeagles.bsky.social and @chargers.bsky.social haven't really been focused and invested enough in doing what they need to wrest control of this game.
Pretty bad overall a game as pitting two 8-4 teams expected to go deep into the postseason could be.
Pretty bad overall a game as pitting two 8-4 teams expected to go deep into the postseason could be.
Another year where I say I'm through with the
@baseballhall.org selection process and voting.
Jeff Kent over @ny-yankees.bsky.social 1B Don Mattingly and @braves.com Dale Murphy.
What a world.
@baseballhall.org selection process and voting.
Jeff Kent over @ny-yankees.bsky.social 1B Don Mattingly and @braves.com Dale Murphy.
What a world.
December 8, 2025 at 4:10 PM
Another year where I say I'm through with the
@baseballhall.org selection process and voting.
Jeff Kent over @ny-yankees.bsky.social 1B Don Mattingly and @braves.com Dale Murphy.
What a world.
@baseballhall.org selection process and voting.
Jeff Kent over @ny-yankees.bsky.social 1B Don Mattingly and @braves.com Dale Murphy.
What a world.
Amazing Johnny Vermont played only 16 that year, @nhl-flyers.bsky.social 1st without #88.
Missed 21 straight & this was the 2nd to last game he started -- 25 years ago tonight -- before missing 46 more.
Shows up long enough to torture @tblightningnhl.bsky.social: www.youtube.com/watch?v=FgfT...
Missed 21 straight & this was the 2nd to last game he started -- 25 years ago tonight -- before missing 46 more.
Shows up long enough to torture @tblightningnhl.bsky.social: www.youtube.com/watch?v=FgfT...
John LeClair Hat Trick Against Tampa Bay Lightning
YouTube video by SIoyvenheaven1
www.youtube.com
December 6, 2025 at 4:10 PM
Amazing Johnny Vermont played only 16 that year, @nhl-flyers.bsky.social 1st without #88.
Missed 21 straight & this was the 2nd to last game he started -- 25 years ago tonight -- before missing 46 more.
Shows up long enough to torture @tblightningnhl.bsky.social: www.youtube.com/watch?v=FgfT...
Missed 21 straight & this was the 2nd to last game he started -- 25 years ago tonight -- before missing 46 more.
Shows up long enough to torture @tblightningnhl.bsky.social: www.youtube.com/watch?v=FgfT...
Garbage. Absolute garbage. Forget the cops. Neighbors and friends should dime these fools out.
@philadelphiaeagles.bsky.social
@philadelphiaeagles.bsky.social
The home of Eagles’ offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo was vandalized Saturday morning, according to police: www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/...
Eagles OC's house gets egged after loss to Bears
The New Jersey home of Eagles offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo was vandalized with eggs early Saturday morning, following the team's loss to the Bears, police said.
www.espn.com
December 1, 2025 at 10:47 PM
Garbage. Absolute garbage. Forget the cops. Neighbors and friends should dime these fools out.
@philadelphiaeagles.bsky.social
@philadelphiaeagles.bsky.social
At intermission, read up on my latest @nhl-flyers.bsky.social columns.
They won again after yielding first Saturday, now 8-4-3 this season. They'll need to bank that as the sked & their foes get tougher: tinyurl.com/mv2sycjp
When the Legion of Doom first met the Russian Five: tinyurl.com/2w4kmzf8
They won again after yielding first Saturday, now 8-4-3 this season. They'll need to bank that as the sked & their foes get tougher: tinyurl.com/mv2sycjp
When the Legion of Doom first met the Russian Five: tinyurl.com/2w4kmzf8
"Chasing the Game" another cliche best left behind
by Bob Herpen Phanatic Hockey Editor Hockey lingo is heavily infused by a few choice phrases that pass in and out of style with every philos...
tinyurl.com
November 25, 2025 at 12:51 AM
At intermission, read up on my latest @nhl-flyers.bsky.social columns.
They won again after yielding first Saturday, now 8-4-3 this season. They'll need to bank that as the sked & their foes get tougher: tinyurl.com/mv2sycjp
When the Legion of Doom first met the Russian Five: tinyurl.com/2w4kmzf8
They won again after yielding first Saturday, now 8-4-3 this season. They'll need to bank that as the sked & their foes get tougher: tinyurl.com/mv2sycjp
When the Legion of Doom first met the Russian Five: tinyurl.com/2w4kmzf8
30 years ago today, in a Black Friday matinee at the Spectrum, @nhl-flyers.bsky.social faced the Russian Five from @detroitredwings.bsky.social for the very first time.
Round 1 went to the hosts.
With cool pics & video including an Eric Lindros goal.
tinyurl.com/2w4kmzf8
Round 1 went to the hosts.
With cool pics & video including an Eric Lindros goal.
tinyurl.com/2w4kmzf8
Spectrum Memories: The Russians Came and We Sent Them Home Again
by Bob Herpen Phanatic Hockey Editor The Philadelphia Flyers’ longest string of success during their final season calling the Spectrum home ...
tinyurl.com
November 24, 2025 at 5:43 PM
30 years ago today, in a Black Friday matinee at the Spectrum, @nhl-flyers.bsky.social faced the Russian Five from @detroitredwings.bsky.social for the very first time.
Round 1 went to the hosts.
With cool pics & video including an Eric Lindros goal.
tinyurl.com/2w4kmzf8
Round 1 went to the hosts.
With cool pics & video including an Eric Lindros goal.
tinyurl.com/2w4kmzf8
At lunchtime, will have the second in a monthly series "Spectrum Memories" chronicling the @nhl-flyers.bsky.social last season at the ol' barn.
Today's installment, the Orange & Black meet @detroitredwings.bsky.social The Russian Five for the first time.
Today's installment, the Orange & Black meet @detroitredwings.bsky.social The Russian Five for the first time.
November 24, 2025 at 1:56 PM
At lunchtime, will have the second in a monthly series "Spectrum Memories" chronicling the @nhl-flyers.bsky.social last season at the ol' barn.
Today's installment, the Orange & Black meet @detroitredwings.bsky.social The Russian Five for the first time.
Today's installment, the Orange & Black meet @detroitredwings.bsky.social The Russian Five for the first time.
Despite giving up the game's first goal in 15 of 20 outings so far, and often working overtime to win, @nhl-flyers.bsky.social aren't fazed yet, standing at 11-6-3.
In this Sunday column, thoughts on why "Chasing the Game" should be best left in remembering the Dead Puck Era: tinyurl.com/mv2sycjp
In this Sunday column, thoughts on why "Chasing the Game" should be best left in remembering the Dead Puck Era: tinyurl.com/mv2sycjp
"Chasing the Game" another cliche best left behind
by Bob Herpen Phanatic Hockey Editor Hockey lingo is heavily infused by a few choice phrases that pass in and out of style with every philos...
phanaticmag.blogspot.com
November 23, 2025 at 6:30 PM
Despite giving up the game's first goal in 15 of 20 outings so far, and often working overtime to win, @nhl-flyers.bsky.social aren't fazed yet, standing at 11-6-3.
In this Sunday column, thoughts on why "Chasing the Game" should be best left in remembering the Dead Puck Era: tinyurl.com/mv2sycjp
In this Sunday column, thoughts on why "Chasing the Game" should be best left in remembering the Dead Puck Era: tinyurl.com/mv2sycjp
@nhl-flyers.bsky.social 6, @notnjdevils.bsky.social 3.
Lotta fans left well ahead of the final 🏮but the Orange and Black received a second and well deserved standing ovation for their performance tonight.
Dan Vladar, somehow only named 3rd star, gets loudest cheers of the selections, all Flyers.
Lotta fans left well ahead of the final 🏮but the Orange and Black received a second and well deserved standing ovation for their performance tonight.
Dan Vladar, somehow only named 3rd star, gets loudest cheers of the selections, all Flyers.
November 23, 2025 at 2:47 AM
@nhl-flyers.bsky.social 6, @notnjdevils.bsky.social 3.
Lotta fans left well ahead of the final 🏮but the Orange and Black received a second and well deserved standing ovation for their performance tonight.
Dan Vladar, somehow only named 3rd star, gets loudest cheers of the selections, all Flyers.
Lotta fans left well ahead of the final 🏮but the Orange and Black received a second and well deserved standing ovation for their performance tonight.
Dan Vladar, somehow only named 3rd star, gets loudest cheers of the selections, all Flyers.
Your agita should have officially calmed by now with that Zegras tearaway snapper, making it 6-3 @nhl-flyers.bsky.social with 4:39 to play.
Honestly can't remember a game vs. @notnjdevils.bsky.social home or away in decades where they yielded at least 4 separate breakaway chances.
Honestly can't remember a game vs. @notnjdevils.bsky.social home or away in decades where they yielded at least 4 separate breakaway chances.
November 23, 2025 at 2:39 AM
Your agita should have officially calmed by now with that Zegras tearaway snapper, making it 6-3 @nhl-flyers.bsky.social with 4:39 to play.
Honestly can't remember a game vs. @notnjdevils.bsky.social home or away in decades where they yielded at least 4 separate breakaway chances.
Honestly can't remember a game vs. @notnjdevils.bsky.social home or away in decades where they yielded at least 4 separate breakaway chances.
Vladar's @nhl-flyers.bsky.social lateral motion stellar all evening. Another in a long string of examples was his robbery of @notnjdevils.bsky.social Jesper Bratt from extremely close, moving from right to left to make the stop, his 28th of the night.
5-2 lead preserved as we approach 3rd midpoint.
5-2 lead preserved as we approach 3rd midpoint.
November 23, 2025 at 2:25 AM
Vladar's @nhl-flyers.bsky.social lateral motion stellar all evening. Another in a long string of examples was his robbery of @notnjdevils.bsky.social Jesper Bratt from extremely close, moving from right to left to make the stop, his 28th of the night.
5-2 lead preserved as we approach 3rd midpoint.
5-2 lead preserved as we approach 3rd midpoint.
The @nhl-flyers.bsky.social had near total control of the rink for 16 1/2 minutes of that 2nd period. @notnjdevils.bsky.social, when they had clear possession, forced to make long stretch passes, dump-ins & shots.
Would like to see home squad bear down some more & pour it on in the final 20 up 5-2.
Would like to see home squad bear down some more & pour it on in the final 20 up 5-2.
November 23, 2025 at 1:50 AM
The @nhl-flyers.bsky.social had near total control of the rink for 16 1/2 minutes of that 2nd period. @notnjdevils.bsky.social, when they had clear possession, forced to make long stretch passes, dump-ins & shots.
Would like to see home squad bear down some more & pour it on in the final 20 up 5-2.
Would like to see home squad bear down some more & pour it on in the final 20 up 5-2.
You know how I gripe when a beat expresses amazement at a move/shot a pro is trained to make, because I saw it in my Over 40/Over 50 leagues?
Well, Robert Orr Brink just froze Jonas Seigenthaler & Jake Allen with a wicked wrister worthy of WOW.
@nhl-flyers.bsky.social up 5-1.
Well, Robert Orr Brink just froze Jonas Seigenthaler & Jake Allen with a wicked wrister worthy of WOW.
@nhl-flyers.bsky.social up 5-1.
November 23, 2025 at 1:38 AM
You know how I gripe when a beat expresses amazement at a move/shot a pro is trained to make, because I saw it in my Over 40/Over 50 leagues?
Well, Robert Orr Brink just froze Jonas Seigenthaler & Jake Allen with a wicked wrister worthy of WOW.
@nhl-flyers.bsky.social up 5-1.
Well, Robert Orr Brink just froze Jonas Seigenthaler & Jake Allen with a wicked wrister worthy of WOW.
@nhl-flyers.bsky.social up 5-1.
The official word from @nhl-flyers.bsky.social PR staff is that this 3-goal burst in 26 seconds marks the fastest in franchise history.
Also, looks like Cates' 3 points in 1st period a career best, tying his high for points in a single game (4/24/22; 2/25/25 & 3/29/25).
@notnjdevils.bsky.social
Also, looks like Cates' 3 points in 1st period a career best, tying his high for points in a single game (4/24/22; 2/25/25 & 3/29/25).
@notnjdevils.bsky.social
Michkov (breakaway), Foerster (one-timer from left circle) & Foerster again (wrister from sharp angle at right circle) just scored 3 times in what has to be a season-record unofficial 25 seconds.
@nhl-flyers.bsky.social jolted this crowd awake, now up 4-1.
Four goals in 3 1/2 minutes.
@nhl-flyers.bsky.social jolted this crowd awake, now up 4-1.
Four goals in 3 1/2 minutes.
November 23, 2025 at 1:06 AM
The official word from @nhl-flyers.bsky.social PR staff is that this 3-goal burst in 26 seconds marks the fastest in franchise history.
Also, looks like Cates' 3 points in 1st period a career best, tying his high for points in a single game (4/24/22; 2/25/25 & 3/29/25).
@notnjdevils.bsky.social
Also, looks like Cates' 3 points in 1st period a career best, tying his high for points in a single game (4/24/22; 2/25/25 & 3/29/25).
@notnjdevils.bsky.social
Michkov (breakaway), Foerster (one-timer from left circle) & Foerster again (wrister from sharp angle at right circle) just scored 3 times in what has to be a season-record unofficial 25 seconds.
@nhl-flyers.bsky.social jolted this crowd awake, now up 4-1.
Four goals in 3 1/2 minutes.
@nhl-flyers.bsky.social jolted this crowd awake, now up 4-1.
Four goals in 3 1/2 minutes.
November 23, 2025 at 12:40 AM
Michkov (breakaway), Foerster (one-timer from left circle) & Foerster again (wrister from sharp angle at right circle) just scored 3 times in what has to be a season-record unofficial 25 seconds.
@nhl-flyers.bsky.social jolted this crowd awake, now up 4-1.
Four goals in 3 1/2 minutes.
@nhl-flyers.bsky.social jolted this crowd awake, now up 4-1.
Four goals in 3 1/2 minutes.
They love him in Boca. Noah Katz...make that Cates, in perfect position behind two @notnjdevils.bsky.social "checkers" atop right circle to pot the hosts' equalizer off the rebound of a hard drive from the Prince of Zamula. @nhl-flyers.bsky.social
November 23, 2025 at 12:32 AM
They love him in Boca. Noah Katz...make that Cates, in perfect position behind two @notnjdevils.bsky.social "checkers" atop right circle to pot the hosts' equalizer off the rebound of a hard drive from the Prince of Zamula. @nhl-flyers.bsky.social
The visiting @notnjdevils.bsky.social score first on their first PP chance on the night, but not before @nhl-flyers.bsky.social goalie Dan Vladar made like Gumby on a half dozen prime chances in close, squaring up at both posts.
He stretched out for Meier's first chance but couldn't grab the other.
He stretched out for Meier's first chance but couldn't grab the other.
November 23, 2025 at 12:32 AM
The visiting @notnjdevils.bsky.social score first on their first PP chance on the night, but not before @nhl-flyers.bsky.social goalie Dan Vladar made like Gumby on a half dozen prime chances in close, squaring up at both posts.
He stretched out for Meier's first chance but couldn't grab the other.
He stretched out for Meier's first chance but couldn't grab the other.
How could no one have told Bobby Clarke before he spoke last night it's not five members of the Cup teams.
Here's the non-exhaustive list:
Bernie
Ed Van Impe
Rick MacLeish
Ross Lonsberry
Wayne Stephenson
Cowboy Bill Flett
Fred Shero
Barry Ashbee
@nhl-flyers.bsky.social
@flyersalumni.bsky.social
Here's the non-exhaustive list:
Bernie
Ed Van Impe
Rick MacLeish
Ross Lonsberry
Wayne Stephenson
Cowboy Bill Flett
Fred Shero
Barry Ashbee
@nhl-flyers.bsky.social
@flyersalumni.bsky.social
It's also the second of two nights honoring Bernie Parent for his contributions to @nhl-flyers.bsky.social & @cityofphiladelphia.bsky.social.
Parent is, by all accurate accounts, at least the eighth member of the Cup teams to depart this Earth.
Parent is, by all accurate accounts, at least the eighth member of the Cup teams to depart this Earth.
November 22, 2025 at 11:42 PM
How could no one have told Bobby Clarke before he spoke last night it's not five members of the Cup teams.
Here's the non-exhaustive list:
Bernie
Ed Van Impe
Rick MacLeish
Ross Lonsberry
Wayne Stephenson
Cowboy Bill Flett
Fred Shero
Barry Ashbee
@nhl-flyers.bsky.social
@flyersalumni.bsky.social
Here's the non-exhaustive list:
Bernie
Ed Van Impe
Rick MacLeish
Ross Lonsberry
Wayne Stephenson
Cowboy Bill Flett
Fred Shero
Barry Ashbee
@nhl-flyers.bsky.social
@flyersalumni.bsky.social
It's also the second of two nights honoring Bernie Parent for his contributions to @nhl-flyers.bsky.social & @cityofphiladelphia.bsky.social.
Parent is, by all accurate accounts, at least the eighth member of the Cup teams to depart this Earth.
Parent is, by all accurate accounts, at least the eighth member of the Cup teams to depart this Earth.
November 22, 2025 at 11:40 PM
It's also the second of two nights honoring Bernie Parent for his contributions to @nhl-flyers.bsky.social & @cityofphiladelphia.bsky.social.
Parent is, by all accurate accounts, at least the eighth member of the Cup teams to depart this Earth.
Parent is, by all accurate accounts, at least the eighth member of the Cup teams to depart this Earth.
LIVE from Count Floyd's Lair of Chilling Darkness, aka the Xfinity Mobile Arena press box, it's a hockey Saturday night as @nhl-flyers.bsky.social host the @notnjdevils.bsky.social.
Follow along for wry commentary and stats that's unique from 37 different tweets telling you who scored & when.
Follow along for wry commentary and stats that's unique from 37 different tweets telling you who scored & when.
November 22, 2025 at 11:30 PM
LIVE from Count Floyd's Lair of Chilling Darkness, aka the Xfinity Mobile Arena press box, it's a hockey Saturday night as @nhl-flyers.bsky.social host the @notnjdevils.bsky.social.
Follow along for wry commentary and stats that's unique from 37 different tweets telling you who scored & when.
Follow along for wry commentary and stats that's unique from 37 different tweets telling you who scored & when.