Ant wasn’t able to get to the Matvei Michkov presser. Russ was all the way in coal country. So Crossing Broad had to send the third string out to Voorhees to ask the hard-hitting questions. Me? I don’t know what a forecheck is and I can’t skate, but I’m there to press the guy who barely knows English and get the answers the people want. I’m like Howard Eskin minus the kissing:

@crossingbroad

Get Matvei Michkov to a Phils game! #matveimichkov #matveimichkov #flyershockey #phillies #fyp #nhl #philadelphiaflyers #hockey

♬ original sound – Crossing Broad

Thanks to Kevin Kurz from The Athletic (with ads) for the Google Translation because I had no idea what the hell he was saying. Michkov’s translator said it was mutual idea, but come on this has Jonesy and Danny Briere written all over it. It’s not their first rodeo. Jonesy dug to the back of the closet, got a Phillies hat with a Veterans Stadium seal on it from his playing days, and thought this will work. They met Michkov in the terminal before the cameras and said, “Hey put this on. Trust us. If anyone asks your favorite player is Bryce Harper.”

Michkov obviously forgot the last part of that advice. Danny set Matty Ice up perfectly to bury one home and he ended up missing the entire net. Not gonna kill the kid though. He’s been through the wringer and probably has ridiculous jet lag. But how about that little glimpse of fire we saw at the end there? I thought he was going to put his fist through the table. That’s passion. It doesn’t matter if it’s on the ice or at his introductory press conference he expects the best from himself at all moments. Love it. He and Torts are going to get along great or it’s going to be the sum of a nuclear explosion. Whatever happens, it’s great for us!

As a rookie journalist I’m always looking to get better. I wanted to see what the fans thought of my question and the feedback couldn’t be more positive! I think they’re saying it’s the best question from the Matvei Michkov press conference:

I need to get to more of these if people want more questions from me. I love asking dumb questions in the middle of the serious ones. Really throws people who are trying to do their real jobs off. When I asked the question there were like five reporters who turned and faced me. Probably because they’ve never heard my voice. I also wore a Flyers shirt and Eagles shorts like a fanboy while everyone was in muted polo shirts, dress shirts, or Flyers-issued gear. That was a mistake. I did want to ask Michkov if he’s seen Rocky IV and if he has was he rooting for Ivan Drago or Rocky Balboa. But I was advised not to. Very serious in there. The PR people watching you, no one is smiling, and the tens of cameras over your shoulder are daunting. Not to mention there’s the organization’s new savior staring daggers at you. It’s amazing I was even able to form a sentence under that amount of pressure.. It’s like the first day of college when the teacher makes you do ice breakers and you don’t want to embarrass yourself with your answers. Gained an entirely new level of respect for the people who have to battle with Torts day in and out.