What the Flyers proved Tuesday with a 5-2 victory over the Buffalo Sabres was a grand achievement. But it only served to prove what was evident all along: They were the much better team.

But they missed Chris Pronger, and his presence on the power play. And Ryan Miller, who can be a handful, tossed in a couple of shutouts. And the goaltending, a Flyers carnival act since 1987, was wobbly.

All of which allowed the series to last seven games --- seven games not soon to be forgotten, for it was just long enough for both sides to work up a nice hatred for one another.

At various points in the series, Miller questioned the Flyers' toughness, Lindy Ruff called them whiners, a 331-penalty-minute presence (Zac Rinaldo) was activated from the Phantoms, Danny Briere was heckeled on ice about the particulars of his divorce, Daniel Carcillo had a game-misconduct, Patrick Kaleta opened the bench door just in time to make Nikolay Zherdev skate in, Tim Connolly was scratched with a headache caused by Mike Richards causing the Sabres to beg for a suspension ... and there was even some interesting hockey.


Now, it's over.

It should have been over sooner.

For the fans, though, it was probably best that it wasn't.


Check out my column (and a sidebar on Chris Pronger) on delcotimes.com and in the Daily Times Wednesday!