Photo: Patrick Smith
The Flyers organization tried. As fans entered Wells Fargo Center for Game Six Sunday, they received shirts featuring PA Announcer Lou Nolan and the words “Stay Classy, Philly!” I know you may be shocked to hear this, but Flyers fans did not stay classy.
Let’s review!
Photo: Flyers
During Game Three, Flyers fans showed boorish behavior that eventually turned violent during the Caps’ 6-1 win. Fans threw the organization’s promotional giveaway, plastic light-up bracelets, onto the ice, one of which struck Caps defenseman Dmitry Orlov in the face. Orlov had been getting medical attention after getting checked boarded by Pierre-Édouard Bellemare. Minutes later, the fans were given a minor penalty and were criticized by PA announcer Lou Nolan.
The Flyers organization, who had planned to give the bracelets away again in Game Four, did not, opting to give away a tshirt with the Flyers logo filled up with words that they thought represented the team. Ahead of Game Six, the Flyers gave away another t-shirt, but this time it made light of the Flyers violence in Game Three. It featured Lou Nolan reminding fans to “Stay Classy.”
On Monday night the Flyers and their fans intended to honor founder Ed Snider, who died last Tuesday due to bladder cancer. The organization gave away bracelets and painted Snider’s initials behind the goals. Lauren Hart, the team’s longtime anthem singer, sang “God Bless America” with Snider’s name and 67 on the back of her team jersey (the team’s first season was 1967-68).
But Flyers fans, some of whom had reportedly been tailgating since the early afternoon, showed boorish behavior that only got worse as the the President Trophy-winning Capitals humbled the home team in the third period.
It was undignified. It was an embarrassment. It was– as Al Koken best put it– a “clown show.”
Let’s recap.
After falling behind 4-1 late in the third period, the Philadelphia Flyers tried to hurt people. Flyers forward Pierre-Édouard Bellemare checked Dmitry Orlov in the numbers, causing the young Russian to slam into the boards head first. Orlov has a history of concussion problems.
It was a chickenshit hit.
As NBCSN came back from first intermission, Pierre McGuire provided an overview of the game so far. At the same time, directly behind McGuire, a Flyers fan with choice seats flipped off the Capitals bench while taking a photo.
Pierre leaned over to block the angle, which made it even funnier.
This summer, Mario Lemieux and Ron Burkle put the Pittsburgh Penguins up for sale, and the price is steep: $750 million, which would be more than double the league record set in 2013. But there’s lots going for the Pens: they have a brand new arena (Consol Energy Center), a dedicated (and trashy) fan base, and three of the best players in the league: Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Phil Kessel.
Over the weekend, one group established itself as a front runner to buy the team: Flyers fans!
Photo: @DaveSem
WARNING: This post may upset readers who get emotional about human fingers. Not all of the fingers. Just the one in the middle.
Last night, the Philadelphia Flyers hosted a home playoff game for the first time since 2012, when they lost to the eventual Eastern Conference champions, the New Jersey Devils, in five games. The Flyers lost again on Tuesday, this time getting smacked 4-1 by the New York Rangers. They are down 2-1 in the series.
This first round match-up isn’t over yet, but some Flyers fans are already melting down. After a goal by Martin St. Louis put the Rangers up 2-0, a Flyers fan flipped him off. It made for good TV.
