Flyers captain Claude Giroux discussed a number of topics in an interview on 97.5 The Fanatic on Friday. (Photo Courtesy of ESPN.com)
Team captain Claude Giroux has been at the center of the Philadelphia Flyers turnaround from his first goal of the season on Nov. 9 to the Flyers most recent win on Jan. 8 at home against the Montreal Canadiens.
Giroux was also on the bubble to make Team Canada for the Olympics in Sochi and was among the snubs from the team.
Giroux was a guest on 97.5 The Fanatic with Jon Marks and the Fanatic’s pre and post-game host Jason Myrtetus on Friday afternoon and talked about the snub.
“Obviously it’s a little disappointing,” Giroux said. “I thought there was a bit of a chance I was going to make the team.
“There’s so many good players in Canada, to make that team, you have to get lucky, I guess. Obviously, I wanted to represent my country, but I’m 25 years old, I can’t be just thinking about it. I’ve got to go out there and play the game.”
The recent success of the team has pushed the Flyers into the heart of a tight playoff picture. The Flyers are nestled comfortably in fifth in the Eastern Conference and second in the Metropolitan Division as a result of a 5-1 road trip sandwiched between a couple of home wins.
Moving forward, the Flyers are set to face some stiff competition that could serve as a preview of the playoffs. Giroux addressed the way the team will remain focused amidst the success.
“I think you can’t be satisfied with the way you’re playing,” Giroux said. “A team can always get better. We have a lot of things we’ve got to work on. We’re a really young team. We’ve got to find a way to play the whole game, 60 minutes, and really be sharp.”
Giroux recently had a lengthy nine-game point streak snapped. But the streak was a clear sign of how far Giroux has come from the beginning of the season. An offseason hand injury helped fuel a slow start for Giroux personally.
He didn’t record a point until the sixth game of the season. He didn’t score his first goal until mid-November. Since scoring that goal on Nov. 9, the Flyers 16th game of the season, Giroux has 12 goals and 19 assists for 31 points in 28 games.
Giroux also discussed his injury and how he’s been feeling as the season progressed.
“We all know the answer to that, obviously it didn’t help,” Giroux said. “Now that my hand feels a lot better, there are no excuses. Stuff like that is going to happen, you just have to move on.”
Giroux and the Flyers are back in action for a pair of games over the weekend, including one on Giroux’s 26th birthday on Sunday against the New York Rangers.
In case you missed it, the link to the Giroux's interview is here on 97.5 The Fanatic's website.
Kevin Durso is the lead beat writer for Flyerdelphia. Follow him on twitter @KDursoPhilsNet.
