Flyers Coach Peter Laviolette Credits Take-Out Ribs for Win Against Penguins

by Dan Duquette Jr. on Sun, Apr 1, 2012 at 4:49PM

Some hockey teams have lucky charms or special pre-game routines that they go through to stay in a rhythm.

For the Flyers, it’s all about the post-game meal.

Peter Laviolette and Philadelphia have never lost to Pittsburgh on the road since the Pens moved to the Consol Energy Center. Their secret? Take-out ribs from a restaurant in West Virginia called Dee Jay’s.

“We buy ribs from Dee Jay’s in Weirton after the game and have them delivered to the plane,” coach Laviolette explained to reporters after the team’s win on Sunday. “And those ribs seem to be doing the trick.

“It went back to last year,” he continued. “Whenever the ribs are ordered, we win. I want to thank Dee Jay’s.”

The Penguins and Flyers did war with one another on Sunday afternoon, culminating in a 6-4 win for Philly. The two teams combined for 62 penalty minutes. At one point, Laviolette even got in a shouting match with Penguins assistant coach Tony Granato.

The two teams appear to be headed towards a first-round playoff series that is sure to be a classic. So, someone from Pittsburgh might want to see if they can intercept the ribs next time they’re ordered.