Historic Milestone for the Captain: Giroux’s Impressive Tenure
It is far from an understatement that Claude Giroux is the most under-appreciated Philadelphia athlete of this era. This could certainly be attributed to the lack of success of the Flyers, being greatly overshadowed by the triumphs of the other 3 teams that share the South Philly Sports Complex. Giroux’s contributions to the team, from the stat sheet to the culture he helped foster, have kept the Flyers afloat even during years of disappointment. From the beginning of the 2010 season, Giroux quietly set top-10 marks league wide in games played, points, and assists. This came with very little mention and praise from national outlets, despite cementing himself as a top forward in the NHL. By playing in Tuesday’s game against the Devils, Giroux became the longest-tenured captain in Flyers history. I recently took a trip down memory lane and wanted to recognize a few of Giroux’s most iconic moments for the Orange & Black.
2010 Stanley Cup Final, Game 3
This series as a whole obviously left a sour taste in the mouths of all Flyers fans (thanks Patrick Kane). However, Giroux provided a glimmer of hope with his Game 3 OT winner after two painful losses in Chicago to open up the series. The pure elation and excitement of the sold-out crowd was a culmination of years of heartbreak, including several playoff heartbreakers in the late 1990s. While the Flyers would go on to lose the Cup in Game 6, the memories of this series will last forever as the team claws its way back to the biggest stage in the sport. If it hadn’t already become apparent, Philadelphia knew it had a rising star in Giroux after this shining moment.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zWWa5u48Yl0
2012 Eastern Conference Quarterfinals, Game 6
“When the best player in the world comes up to you and tells you, ‘I don’t know who you’re planning on starting tonight, but I want that first shift’, that says everything you need to know about Claude Giroux right there.”
Peter Laviolette sent a clear message to the rest of the league in his postgame press conference following Game 6. While many criticized the words at the time, there is no denying that the very first shift in the game was one of the most memorable shifts by any player in playoff history. Right off the bat, Giroux landed a powerful hit on Sidney Crosby, sending the home crowd into an absolute frenzy. After a strong effort by linemate Jaromir Jagr, Giroux found himself at the top of the faceoff circle and sent an absolute rocket past Marc-Andre Fleury, setting the tone for the rest of the game. Alongside Mike Richards’ “The Shift” against Montreal, this shift goes down in Flyers history as one of the most electrifying moments. Between the bitter rivalry, the playoff atmosphere, and the intense battles Giroux and Crosby had under their belts, there was no better time for Giroux to announce his presence.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cb3xMbVOaAM
2019 Stadium Series Game
Sure, recency bias is heavy in this pick. I could easily mention some of his decisive shifts against the Bruins in 2010, but this moment takes the trophy by a slight margin. There are varying opinions around the league about outdoor games, but no one can deny the intense atmosphere created by a hockey game played in a 60,000+ seat stadium. When the Flyers hosted the Penguins at Lincoln Financial Field, this was very evident. While the game was low-stakes in nature, Giroux’s overtime winner invigorated and thrilled the massive audience, capping off another chapter in the storied PA rivalry. Giroux’s performance on the national stage was just what the Flyers needed, as they were treated to their captain giving an unbelievable effort, just as he did every game that season. His energy was truly infectious, and showed clear evidence of Giroux’s influence on team culture. In an otherwise forgettable season, this game provided a source of hope and optimism for the future.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KFialjNhO94
The list could go on for days. Claude Giroux has already staked his claim as one of the most prolific players in team history, joining the likes of Bobby Clarke and Eric Lindros. One thing that many Flyers greats lack is a Stanley Cup, and this current team will battle until the very end to get Giroux the ultimate prize that he has dedicated his career chasing. Giroux’s contributions must be appreciated more, as he is the main reason the team has overcome many challenges in the last decade. This team has a bright future ahead- and with Claude Giroux at the helm, you can never count them out.
Featured Image: Kathy Willens/AP
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Categorized:Flyers