Flyers' R.J. Umberger Surprises

It was just two seasons ago that R.J. Umberger lay on the ice, gasping for air after a bruising bodycheck by Brian Campbell in the Flyers' first-round series against the Buffalo Sabres. The scene was a representation of the 2006 playoff season for the Flyers in which they were eliminated in six games by the Sabres and foreshadowed the next season, the worst in franchise history. Umberger finished his first playoff year with a lone goal and no assists.

Flyers Search for Answers

The Flyers entered this season with a renewed spirit and a revamped roster. They were just one year removed from a season that saw them place last in the entire league. The new coach, John Stevens, was in his first full year with the team and behind a bench full of new faces - some from the end of last season and others from the offseason - including Daniel Briere, Scottie Upshall, Braydon Coburn, Kimmo Timonen, Scott Hartnell, Joffrey Lupul, Jason Smith and Martin Biron. Biron, a 30-year-old goaltender playing in his first postseason, has been nothing short of spectacular. But the most impressive player on the Flyers' playoff roster has been the 26-year-old Umberger, who hasn't just scored goals but has been all over the ice doing the work that doesn't show up on the stat sheets.

Flyers Make Noise in Playoffs

Umberger is leading an unlikely playoff charge by the Flyers. After a solid first half, the team struggled down the final stretch and squeaked into the playoffs as the sixth seed after a late run. They were picked by many pundits to bow out to the upstart Washington Capitals, led by the NHL's leading scorer, Alexander Ovechkin. But the Flyers hung on for a seven-game series victory. Umberger was quiet on the stat sheet as he recorded only one goal in the series but would come alive against the Montreal Canadiens in the next round, another series the Flyers were supposed to lose.

Everyone Comes From Somewhere

Umberger was drafted by the Vancouver Canucks in the 2001 NHL Entry Draft out of Ohio State with the 16th selection but remained for two more seasons with the NCAA's Buckeyes. He had a successful college career and the New York Rangers tried to sign him in 2004 but were unable to agree on a contract with him. He was subsequently picked up by the Flyers and helped their AHL affiliate Philadelphia Phantoms capture the 2005 Calder Cup with 65 regular season and 12 playoff points. Umberger made his debut with the Flyers early the next season and impressed the organization with 38 points in 73 games but the team never went anywhere. He would have to wait two more seasons before truly making his mark.

Old Rivalry Provides Excitement and a New Playoff Hero

Umberger and the Flyers probably knew they were being painted as the underdogs in their second-round matchup against the Canadiens. Perhaps they figured they had nothing to lose. Well, they played that way and showed the league what they can do when team chemistry is running high. They showed an unrelenting determination against Montreal to be the better team and leave nothing on the ice. Umberger led the charge with three two-goal games and eight total goals in just five games. No goal was more spectacular than the one in the first period of game 5 that saw Umberger tip in his own rebound while sliding along the ice on his knees. He scored again and assisted on another goal during the second period in which the Flyers scored three times in less than 3 minutes to help the team reach the Eastern Conference Finals. It's there that they will face their interstate rival and Umberger's hometown team, the Pittsburgh Penguins.

A Match Made in Hockey Heaven

Umberger sits in second place in playoff goals and 11th in points and has a plus-6 rating. Two players that sit ahead of him in the standings are the Penguins' Evgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosby. Umberger will see a lot of these two skaters and will need to conjure up, along with his teammates, some more of the magic that has elevated his play and propelled this improbable and exciting playoff run by the Flyers.

Sources:

www.nhl.com

www.hockeydb.com

www.youtube.com

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