Orange Crush

What an amazing night! Yesterday I attended my very first NHL playoff game, and it was unlike anything I've ever seen. After falling behind 2-0 in the series with Buffalo, and returning home after an embarassing 8-2 loss on Monday, the Flyers finally showed the home crowd what they're capable of. As always, the Playoff Block Party got under way at 4pm. TV news crews were out, radio statios had booths set up, the weather was great and people were excited for hockey. As fans came through the gates, they were all given orange shirts, part of the "Orange Crush" promotion. The best part about playoff hockey is there are no intermission shows going on, so I can watch the game from anywhere I want. I missed the start of the game because of the Block Party, and despite the fact that the crowd was decked out orange and the fans were in a frenzy, Buffalo jumped out to an early 1-0 lead. As if that wasn't bad enough, the Flyers got a penalty called against them a few minutes later, sending the crowd into angry fits. HOWEVER the Buffalo power play fell apart and Brian Savage scored a shorthanded goal to tie the game at one. This finally brought some happiness to the crowd, as they could tell that this game would be different. The Flyers were hitting hard, skating hard and playing with an intensity that was nowhere to be found during the first two games.

The second period brought more of the same great play from both teams. For the second period, Rob, Katey and I stood just in the tunnel on the concourse, parallel with the Buffalo net. We had a great view of Forsberg's go-ahead goal. I can honestly say I've never heard a crowd go this crazy during a game. This goal gave the Flyers their first lead of the series! The goal prompted many of the Flyers fans to jeer the Sabres goalie, Ryan Miller. Shortly after that goal, Sabres forward JP Dumont went down with a seemingly serious injury (he was fine, he was acting like a baby). For the first time in recent history, the Philly fans actually showed some class during an injury. Although Philly fans in any sport are known to be animals, the crowd was civilized during this time. This all stems from Game 1 when Buffalo forward Tim Connelly CRUSHED RJ Umberger. The hit was clean, but Umberger got knocked into next week. As Umberger was laying on the ice, barely conscious, the Buffalo scoreboard operator thought it would be great to show the replay about twenty times. The fans also cheered everytime they saw the replay. The PA announcer in Philly told the fans to show up Buffalo and be respectful during this time, and the Philly fans happily complied.

The third period brought more of the same play, filled with fast paced play and heart stopping action. The Flyers were leading 3-1 heading into the third period, with Forsberg scoring his second on the night on a nifty move behind the net. Midway through the third, Buffalo scored to make it 3-2. Much to Rob's surprise, the fans stayed in the game. He said usually when the other team gets within a goal, the fans get quiet and scared. This time, the chants of "Let's Go Flyers" were ringing loud and clear. With about 6 minutes to go, everyone in the arena was about to have a heart attack, as Petr Nedved took 2 minor penalties in a row. Buffalo has one of the strongest power plays in the league....but this was Philly's night. They were not gonna let Buffalo come onto their rink and steal a game. The Flyers iced the game when Simon Gagne scored an empty net goal with 20 seconds left. There was a bit of a delay following this, because the fans thought Forsberg scored his 3rd goal of the night. Hats and shirts were raining onto the ice...for no real reason. It was funny how the announcer had to emphasize that Simon Gagne scored his third goal OF THE PLAYOFFS and ASSISTED by Perter Forsberg. I can see why fans may have made the mistake..Forsberg had recently touched the puck, he wears #21 and Gagne wears #12...the crowd just got a little backwards there.

I don't think I'll ever forget the energy level and the atmosphere of last night. Even though I don't get paid down here, going to playoff games for free and being part of this event almostmakes it worth it. Following the game, I went to Chickie and Pete's with Katey and Leslie (one of the Flyers Ice Girls) We chilled there, had a drink and then went home. It was a long day, but well worth it. I'll report on Friday's game later.