The Philadelphia Flyers had to endure five playoff-less seasons and an entire John Tortorella coaching era before playing meaningful hockey again. And the fanbase, which once threw light-up plastic bracelets at the Washington Capitals, has not disappointed in The Battle of Pennsylvania.
In their first home playoff games in eight years, Flyers fans have treated the Pittsburgh Penguins with some trademark Brotherly Love, as evidenced by a video posted by the Penguins on Wednesday.
As Penguins players left their bus and walked into Xfinity Mobile Arena, a young Flyers fan screamed out, “MALKIN, YOU SUCK!” The Russian superstar threw out his hands like he was offended before smiling and laughing.
“A warm welcome in Philly 😌,” the Penguins wrote on social media.
Philly fan chirps Evgeni Malkin as he gets off the bus
The bus taunt was just the latest in the Flyers’ epic trolling during this playoff series.
The best of the Flyers’ taunting of the Penguins
Sidney Crosby honored with a diving billboard
After Sidney Crosby was whistled for the first embellishment penalty of his career in Game 3, the “Phans of Philly” bought a billboard so they could highlight the play in South Philly.
Embellishment
2-minute penalty assigned when a player exaggerates contact or acts to make a foul look more severe than it was to trick refs into calling a penalty.Examples of embellishment in a sentence: CROSBY
Owen Tippett adds inscription of “Crosby sucks” on autographed puck
The Penguins captain may be one of the greatest players of all time, but Owen Tippett was happy to oblige when a young fan asked if he could add “Crosby sucks” to her puck, giggling as he added the inscription.
A Gritty masterclass
The Flyers’ 7-foot-tall, fuzzy orange creature has elevated its game and been at the center of the taunting. From staring down the Penguins during warmups to beating the stuffing out of a faux Penguins mascot, Gritty has been an evil treasure.
Gritty stares down Penguins during warmups
Gritty beats up Penguins mascot, launches it off the second deck in Game 3
The best part was that once the Penguin landed in the lower bowl, Flyers fans started punching it before ushers hauled the stuffie away.
Gritty terrorizes the Penguin again in Game 4, this time beating it with its own crutch
Gritty recreates Wolverine Remembers meme with “Sudden Death” screenshot featuring Iceberg
For those too young for this movie, Iceberg is axed by Jean-Claude Van Damme (Darren) in this scene after he shoves the mascot into a massive industrial dishwasher.
Gritty “helps” Penguins fans get home
“Get home safe,” writes Gritty.
Flyers fans mercilessly boo person in Penguins jersey
Perhaps the best example of Flyers fans’ dedication to being The Worst was this video posted by DK Pittsburgh Sports. As a Penguins fan made his way out to the concourse, Flyers faithful let him have it.
Flyers’ “Puck Everybody” giveaway t-shirts
Not only is this series one of the best to watch in the first round, but it’s been one of the most fun off the ice. Good rivalries are great, especially when the chirping and “hate” are kept in good taste. Well done, Flyers.
