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Grieving Flyers Push Forward Following Ed Snider's Passing

By Ed Benkin

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- The loss of Ed Snider had been difficult for the Flyers' family.  For the players, getting back on the ice proved to be therapeutic.

As the Delaware Valley mourns the loss of Snider, the Flyers still have a playoff series to prepare for.  It begins on Thursday night in Washington with Game 1 against the Capitals. The players are trying to keep their focus on the ice, but Sean Couturier says they are also using Snider's memory as motivation for their upcoming series.

"I think what Mr. Snider would have wanted was for us to go out there and win," said Couturier.  "That's all he wanted.  We should give it our all in his honor."

Coach Dave Hakstol has the delicate task of trying to keep his players locked in on the Capitals while allowing them time to reflect on the loss of Snider.  Many players connected with Snider in a way few other sports owners did with their players.  Hakstol is happy with how the Flyers continue to pay tribute to Snider, but was also happy to see his team get back to work on the ice.

"It's good to get back to work out there and get our focus on to the job at hand," Hakstol said.  "Certainly, it doesn't change anybody's feelings or emotions on a tough day yesterday."

Many players believe it is more than a strange coincidence concerning the timing of Snider's death.  The late owner fought valiantly against cancer and seemingly defied the odds in the weeks leading up to Saturday's game with Pittsburgh.  Some players such as Wayne Simmonds believe Snider wanted to see the Flyers go into the post-season before his courageous battle came to an end.

"He held on until he knew we made the playoffs," said Simmonds.  "That's the feeling that we get in here.  It's a sad situation, but we know he's in a better place now and is looking over us.  We're doing this in his honor, that's for sure."

While Snider's memory is motivating the Flyers, there is still the difficult task of facing the team with the best record in the NHL.  Washington finished with the most points in the league this season.  Alex Ovechkin powered his way to a 50-goal campaign, whole Braden Holtby tied the NHL record for most victories by a goaltender in one season. The Capitals are talented and motivated as they look to put to rest their playoff collapses of the past.  Claude Giroux is getting ready for a difficult series.

"They clinched a long time ago," Giroux said.  "For them to keep winning and to keep having the intensity they are having since they clinched is pretty impressive.  It just shows how much skill they've got and how much damage they can do."

It is possible the Flyers are emotionally spent after a long playoff push followed by the death of Snider.  It is also possible they can rise to the challenge against a tam with a checkered post-season past.  Regardless, Snider will be in the Flyers' thoughts when the playoffs get underway.

"The guys have been talking about it a lot," said Giroux.  "It's really sad.  It's something we're dealing with as a team.  It's not so fun."

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