Philadelphia Flyers: Behind Enemy Lines with the Islanders, Part 1
Taking my son to see the Philadelphia Flyers take on the New York Islanders in Brooklyn was a great decision
When it came time to make Spring Break plans this year, I wanted to go to the Bahamas. However, when I discussed it with my son, he was underwhelmed. He responded that we had been to the Bahamas several times. His suggestion? New York, mainly because I went to the Big Apple last year without him. I glanced at the calendar and noted that the Philadelphia Flyers were playing the New York Islanders in New York during Spring Break week.
Flyers Road Trip
A few moments later via the magic of the internet, I had procured tickets for the game, a hotel room, and a few other tourist type tickets. Our tickets for the game are six rows from the ice, directly behind the Flyers bench, and were inexpensive.
April 3rd, our game, is Fan Appreciation Night at Barclay Center. There will be giveaways of some sort. These items are already promised to friends who will give them good homes because Islanders paraphernalia certainly isn’t welcomed in my home.
Philadelphia fans have a bad reputation, we always have. The guy who jumped into the penalty box with Tie Domi. The beer bottle that got thrown at Ryan Howard. And of course, no discussion about Philadelphia fans can be complete without bringing up the time we threw snowballs at Santa.
Behind Enemy Lines
I personally have had a bad experience at an opposing team stadium. Rangers fans at Madison Square Garden doused my friends and me in every liquid imaginable. Ketchup, mustard, beer, soda and a few hot dogs to boot.
My game worn Rick Tocchet Jersey was just about destroyed. We were called names that I can’t repeat in this forum. Harassed from the train to our seats, and back to the train. The Flyers, by the way, won that game.
That trip was actually the exception to my Flyers road trip experiences. I have been to away games in Washington DC, Toronto, Quebec, Winnipeg, Edmonton, Vancouver and Long Island, and we were welcomed with open arms.
Common Ground
For every home Flyers game I have attended, there have been fans of the opposition team. I make it a point to talk to as many as possible, in an effort to dispel the rumor that all Flyers fans are classless. I personally enjoy talking to any fan of hockey, and I do so often.
I have friends that are Caps fans, Penguins fans, Rangers fans, and Superman himself is an Islanders fan. While I enjoy good-natured ribbing with all of my friends that are fans of other teams, I also have a deep respect for them. Those friendships are all special to me, as are all those hockey fans.
Next: Top 10 Controversial Flyers Captains
Hockey fans are some of the smartest people around, smart enough to understand one of the most complicated sports in the world. I look forward to sharing that with my son, and perhaps beginning a new tradition of Flyers Road Trips.