Filed Under » Philadelphia Flyers

Vancouver's mayor attempted to shift the negative worldwide attention his city has received in the wake of the riots following Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals by blaming Philadelphia fans he claims were visiting with plans to cause trouble.

"I think we all know how Philadelphia fans are, with the booing Santa Claus and what not," said Vancouver mayor Gregor Robertson. "Whereas we Canadians have a reputation for being very laid back and peaceful. So, obviously, the evidence could not be more clear: Philadelphia fans came to our fair city and tore it apart."

While almost every image and video of the riot shows people in Vancouver Canucks jerseys, t-shirt and hats — and no one sporting Flyers apparel or that of any other Philadelphia team — Mayor Robertson said there is a very simple explanation for that.

"At the Vancouver airport there are many shops that sell Canucks stuff," he said. "So it's clear that they flew in from Philadelphia — there is a direct flight to Vancouver from there, I checked — walked through the airport, purchased Canucks gear and then proceeded to the downtown to riot."

With the case "now solved," according to Robertson, the mayor has requested that people again associate his city with being peaceful and picturesque.

"Basically, think of it as the complete opposite of that hell hole of Philadelphia," he said.

"It may be time for us to reconsider our goalie philosophy," says Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren.

Holmgren's admission comes after yet another Philadelphia postseason has been done in by cheap goals from the opponent, a Flyers tradition dating back decades.

"We have long believed that the most aggressive team will win in the playoffs," said Holmgren. "That's why we always pull the goalie for the final 59 or so minutes of play. And while our players have performed well under that pressure, the better teams are able to capitalize on the open net."

Flyers head coach Peter Laviolette says he is open to the idea.

"Our guys work hard to prevent shots or block them," he said. "I'm sure it would really give them a boost if every shot the other team gets off doesn't always find its way into the back of the net."