Don’t start throwing dirt on the Flyers just yet.

That goes for Cole Hamels, too.

Tony Gonzalez? Go ahead, you can bury him.

Let’s review: The Flyers clawed back into their first-round Stanley Cup playoff battle last night by totally dominating Pittsburgh on the Pens’
home ice.

And who the hell is Claude Giroux, and where did he come from? He’s exactly the kind of skill player that makes a difference in the playoffs. And exactly the kind of skill player that Flyers have too often lacked.

The Flyers are alive, but they’re not exactly off death row. They are still one loss away from summer. The series now switches back to the Wachovia Center Saturday afternoon.

Phillies fans – not to mention Charlie Manuel – had heart palpitations as they watched a line drive off the bat of Prince Fielder slam into the very valuable left shoulder of ace Cole Hamels. The lefty who snagged MVPs in both the National League Championship Series and the World Series left the game – against his own will – yesterday. Hamels says he will be fine and expects to make his next start in D.C. next week.

The Phils won’t be fine until they get some more consistent offensive output. Yesterday they were almost no-hit by Conestoga High product Dave Bush. A pinch-hit homer by Matt Stairs broke up both the no-hitter and the shutout. But the Phils got just one other hit in falling, 1-0.

A road trip might be just what this team needs. Between the hoopla over celebrating their World Series title, rainouts and the death of legendary broadcaster Harry Kalas, they’ve yet to settle into any kind of a normal groove. Maybe they can do it this weekend in Florida.

Scratch Tony Gonzalez off the wish list, Birds fans. The perennial All-Pro tight end of the Kansas City Chiefs will have a new uniform next year, but it won’t be the Birds’ midnight green. Instead he be catching passes from Exton native Matt Ryan for the Atlanta Falcons.

The Eagles are still holding the 21st pick in the NFL Draft on Saturday.

Throw in the Penn Relays and you have quite a sports weekend. If you’re going to the Relays, pack the sunscreen. You’re looking at bright sun and a high of 75 this afternoon, and 85 Saturday.