The Flyers stunned the Bruins at TD Garden tonight for Game 5. Because I was at the game, I will write some of this post from my perspective of the game at TD Garden, and do a brief discussion on Bruins fans and how condoms were thrown at me. Read on.
While walking towards TD Garden, I can say with complete certainty that Bruins fans expected a win tonight. My crew and I were thrown numerous insults walking towards and into the stadium. (I have never been called a "cocksuckah" more in my life...stupid Boston accents.) Despite the hostility, I snagged some funny fan photos on the way in.
Okay, Ray Bourque was awesome, and it is completely acceptable to wear the jersey of a legend. But PJ Axelsson? Really? It's time to upgrade your jersey collection.
A Tampa Bay Rays fan in Boston. I always take the time to laugh at Rays fans after 2008, but it's even funnier knowing that they just got no hit by Dallas Braden. LOLRAYS
Wow, what a smug face. In a way, I wish he wasn't looking right into the camera, so you could see that HE WAS WEARING A MARLINS HAT AND A BRUINS SHIRT. What the hell do you call that?
Officially one of the worst mascots ever. He tried to make fun of us somehow, but the joke really is all on him. He's just so indescribably stupid looking. Uneven teeth, a disgusting stitching job, the shortest damn bear I have ever seen, what else can I say?
Anyway, we finally managed to get to our seats. Another common insult was "Go Home!"...which isn't very insulting or intimidating considering that the Flyers were going home winners or losers. Then, after a 15 minute long introduction video, the game was finally underway. Surprisingly, the video featured just as many hits and fights as the Flyers' videos do, but we're the only violent, bloodthirsty fans in the NHL. Although the Bruins think they have the best national anthem singer, Lauren Hart and the guy from Ottawa are 100x better.
Back to the game:
The fans were extremely loud at the start. To be honest, there were very few Flyers fans in attendance tonight (we were the only four in our entire section). Thankfully, a Ville Leino goal just 6:41 into the game quieted the Boston crowd and gave the Flyers an important 1-0 lead. Brian Boucher kept the game tied with a huge glove save off of a deflection in front later in the opening frame. The spotlight that goes on after Boston goals went off, but the puck never crossed the goal line.
Despite being down by a goal going into the second, the Bruins fans continued to be loud. A pivotal moment in the game occurred 4:35 in the second - Brian Boucher made a clutch pad save in front. On the play, Miroslav Satan collided with Ryan Parent, and the pair fell on top of Boucher. His legs crumbled in an awkward position; Boucher threw off his blocker to alert the officials that he was hurt, and left the ice with the help of Jimmy McCrossin. Boston fans were LOUD. With Michael Leighton being thrown into his first career playoff game, the Bruins and their fans smelled blood. Even worse, Danny Briere took a "cross-checking" penalty just 30 seconds later. The Flyers killed the penalty, Leighton stood tall, and the momentum of the game truly changed - the crowd was not as loud for the remainder of the game. Scott Hartnell, who was all over the ice tonight, batted a puck behind Tuukka Rask midway through the game to give the Flyers a 2-0 lead. The Flyers then broke their powerplay scoring drought when Simon Gagne netted his second goal in as many nights to extend the Orange and Black's lead to three.
That's when the stuff getting thrown at us got worse. Beer cups, french fries, ketchup, popcorn - that's all expected. But after the third Flyers goal, THIS was thrown.
A condom. I guess Boston fans have no better use for them anyway.
Simon Gagne sealed the deal with a breakaway goal early in the third period, his second of the game and his third since returning from a broken foot. This made my night, considering I was wearing a Gagne jersey and a few select Bruins fans thought saying "Sigh-mon Gag-knee" the whole night would be hysterical. The Flyers won the game 4-0, and Michael Leighton and Brian Boucher teamed up for the combined shutout.
From what I hear, it was not shown on TV that Bruins fans were throwing rally towels and beer cups on the ice. It happened on several occasions, including during the final two scrums of the third period and DURING PLAY. If it wasn't shown on TV, the proof is below. It was pretty classless in my opinion, and I'm sure this would have been all over TV if the game was in Philadelphia and fans threw shit. Rask left the ice pretty fast at the conclusion of the game, probably because he was angry and BECAUSE HE WAS GETTING STUFF THROWN AT HIM BY HIS OWN FANS IN A SERIES WHERE THE BRUINS ARE STILL UP A GAME.
Despite the passion from Boston, nothing beats Philadelphia fans. Although its clearly a biased opinion from myself, I truly believe that Philly has the best fans in the nation. And I'm damn proud of it.
Claude Giroux did not return after a boarding call late in the second due to "precautionary reasons". His status remains unknown. Presumably, Brian Boucher will also be out for some length of time with strained MCLs in both of his knees, making Michael Leighton the Flyers' netminder for possibly the remainder of the season. Additionally, Game 6 on Wednesday night at the Wachovia Center was pushed back to 8PM.
The Flyers have one thing now that they didn't have 2 games ago: momentum. There is nothing more important in a playoff game, and a series, than to have momentum on your side. Simple proof was the Flyers penalty kill after Leights entered the game tonight. Although the games will get tougher now that they are equally important for the Bruins and the Flyers, the Flyers have momentum and confidence on their side. Tonight was the first game all series that one team truly dominated, and it was the Flyers. The Bruins had very few scoring chances following the first period - the Flyers simply stunned them and played tight defensively. Hopefully this continues...if the Flyers win, it would be the first time since 1976 that a team down 3-0 even came back for a game 7. The Flyers are halfway there.
For more ridiculousness in Philly sports over the last week, check out our Weekly Recap.
Thanks for the report.....I wonder how many other arenas behave like that and its not reported.......great site!
Posted by: LJN | May 11, 2010 at 09:29 AM
boston fans are great, definitely top notch among other cities...but they still dont compare, its a no contest philly win in that category. other than that.....FLYERS PWN BRUINS!
Posted by: Kevin Alan | May 11, 2010 at 09:54 AM
HE WAS WEARING A MARLINS HAT AND A BRUINS SHIRT. What the hell do you call that?
A poser douchebag?
Posted by: TH | May 11, 2010 at 10:03 AM
Kevin, get a clue son. Dumb shit like this happens everywhere, but it's only fun for the media to pile on Philly. That's why it's not a story, oh and the proximity to ESPN and their homeristic ways with Bahston and NY.
Posted by: jsgceg | May 11, 2010 at 12:50 PM
As a Sabres fan I don't like either team, but extremely classless of the Bruins fans to throw stuff on the ice when they're still up 3-2. Go Flyers!
Posted by: Steve | May 11, 2010 at 01:23 PM
What a great game! Thanks for the first hand account of it all, including what was going on behind the scene. Disgusting, I can't believe they flung a condom at you!
Posted by: Angie | May 11, 2010 at 01:43 PM
lol your right, i had NO IDEA! i mean what was i thinking...i assumed that everyone sat in sports arenas around the world holding hands. clue gotten son! thanks
Posted by: Kevin Alan | May 11, 2010 at 02:19 PM
As a Flyers fan living in Boston, I've endured some abuse over the years as well, but I've never had objects hurled at me. Sorry you had to endure that brother, at least you could walk out of that awful building with your head held high after a big win!!!
Posted by: Orange&Black | May 11, 2010 at 03:33 PM
I'm also glad you captured "Blades the Bear" in his prime. That mascot is a JOKE AND A HALF.
Posted by: Orange&Black | May 11, 2010 at 03:36 PM
Adam, I don't think the Philly staff at any of the stadiums lets the hometown philly fans abuse the visitors, like they do elsewhere. i was at the phil's vs redsox last year in philly. redsox were winning and fans were being obnoxious, as usual. i led a cheer "go home massholes". security almost thru me out! they told me to knock it off? i could not believe it...they protect the obnoxious visitors?
Posted by: mike o'hara | May 11, 2010 at 05:36 PM
you guys chant Crosby Sucks more than let's go flyer's even after crosby gets five points against you're team... not the best fans in the league
Posted by: john | May 11, 2010 at 07:13 PM
Yeah because we chant crosby sucks were terrible fans...that makes zero sense. Think before you type. Oh yeah...crosby sucks.
Posted by: Adam Gonsiewski | May 11, 2010 at 07:22 PM
I have to agree with him about Philly fans even though I'm a Rockies fan and it disgusts me to do so. I went to a game at Veteran's stadium and I noticed that people get up and put their garbage in the trash when they are done eating. Every other venue (that I have been to) on the planet, people just throw the trash under their own seat. I asked some friends from Philly later on and they said 'I don't want to sit in trash.' You have to get up and down a lot more than normal but it was a nice place to see a game.
Posted by: Rockies fan | May 11, 2010 at 07:49 PM
Philly fans behavior is no worse most. In fact it can be downright civilized compared to some....their reputation is B.S. urban legend. I know, snowballs at Santa, 800 level, blah blah. Ever been to a Raiders freak show? Try wearing opposing colors to that nightmare.
Philly fans may sometimes act like Neanderthals, but at least we are Neanderthals that understand the game and appreciate a team that leaves it all out there, win or lose.
Oh yeh, Crosby does suck....
Posted by: Richard Broadstreet | May 11, 2010 at 10:21 PM
Tony Bruno mentioned you guys on the air tonight. Great stuff, kiddos.
Posted by: Gonzo | May 12, 2010 at 03:48 AM
Thanks Gonzo! Do you know if I could get a file or copy of the clip anywhere? I just checked his website but didn't find anything.
Posted by: Adam Gonsiewski | May 12, 2010 at 08:50 AM
You really just used LOL in a picture caption? I'll read this again when your writing style graduated from Middle School
Posted by: Dewey | May 12, 2010 at 08:57 AM
Philly fans R the best and here is proof remember when Pens Mario Lemieux got cancer and had to end his career at Philly the fans give him a standing ovation.
Posted by: Jag Fan | May 12, 2010 at 09:02 AM
Sounds good Dewey, I'll see you then. In the meantime, could you send me a copy of your recent novels or magazine articles? I'm dying to read them. By the way, Professor Dewey, did you want me to use MLA or APA formatting for my articles? 2010 internet blogging style is clearly below your comprehensive level, so I guess I should get up to par. Thanks in advance for the advice.
Posted by: Adam Gonsiewski | May 12, 2010 at 10:28 AM
I have a hard time believing they were throwing at Rask.
Posted by: Friedman | May 12, 2010 at 08:51 PM
Adam, he mentioned your site in the vicinity of 12:20am late Tuesday night. I wouldnt know how to get a clip of it. he said something like,
"According to Philly.com via CrossingBroad.com..."
Posted by: Gonzo | May 12, 2010 at 10:19 PM
You guys are great. Heard about you on Tony Bruno the other day!!
Posted by: Nick Stasyk | May 13, 2010 at 08:49 PM
Nick,
Thanks for the kind words!
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How fun! I linked to this on last weekend's weekly roundup and am just now getting around to letting you know. (I guess we were busy celebrating Easter!) Thanks so much for sharing!
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