“3 … 2 …1”! The crowd counted down the last seconds of a W it could hardly believe. The Philadelphia Flyers are on their way to Chicago and their first appearance in the Stanley Cup Finals since 1997. After an unlikely entrance into the playoffs, and a miraculous comeback in Round 2, incredulous fans watched the Flyers skate smoothly through Round 3. [Pinch me – I want to know I’m awake!] By the “1” count, we were all true believers. “The Broad Street Bullies” Were Back! Hallelujah!
What a night for the Flyers! They proved their worth to a packed house with play after amazing play. It had all the improbable elements of a Hollywood sports flick, except it was real! A new coach sets a championship tone, a replacement goalie plays far beyond everyone’s expectations, an injured Jeff Carter scores a powerful goal just back from surgery off a newly mended foot, and the captain, Mike Richards, performs magic twice, while facedown on the ice. (Pity the fool who ends up playing Richie in the movie version.)
What a night for Kate! Running around with my first press pass, a kid in a candy shop. Who can I annoy first? Who can I annoy most? Media personalities? Flyers employees? The players? How about, all of the above? (Ok, I really tried not to annoy the players. This was their night, so I gave them a pass, said my congratulations to the few I knew, and sent them on their merry “winning” way.)
“Oh! Oh! There’s Marshall Harris!”
“Well, well, well, look who’s got her very own press pass! You think you’re big time now?” he laughs. Ha…ha…Marshall thinks he’s funny.
“Oh! Oh! There’s Marc Farzetta!” Since I’d been on –air in the Tastykake studios that very morning, Marc and the WIP crew got a double dose of Kate that day! Thanks for letting me visit the suite guys!
And in a suite not so far far away, more friends! Matt Cord and Marisa Magnatta of WMMR.
I notice several of my favorite Wachovia Center guards do a double take when they see me coming. Oh that’s right! I’m not wearing my usual Sixers crop top and white go-go boots. And, there’s ice where the court should be!
I realize I’ve grown accustomed to running the Wachovia Center as if it were my personal playground. (Can you call racing from stands, to locker room, to suites, to concourse, and back to the court before the next timeout playing?) It’s easy for me to forget that when the Sixers aren’t playing, my dressing room is being used by OTHER people! Oops!
Suddenly, amidst the celebrations and high fives, I hear cries rising up from the crowd. “Don’t touch it! Don’t do it Richie!” He’s about to accept the Prince of Wales Trophy. That’s just superstition right? Well, it is now! He’s not only touched it, he hoisted it up and led the charge straight into the Flyers locker room. Give them that, the Flyers are fearless.
They believed in themselves when no one else did. They’ve been through the crucible of a tumultuous season, losing streaks, bad press, a controversial coach change, and a scandal in the locker room. And here we stand, Conference Champions.
During their odyssey from heart-wrenching “try-hards” to heart-thumping “ice warriors,” this team has raised up an impressive legion of new hockey fans. Now, I know that in this town there has been a certain stigma attached to what some would call “bandwagon” fans. GET OVER IT! There’s electricity in the air. There’s an entire city massing behind a team that’s earned its stripes the hard way. That’s not “bandwagon,” that’s respect. “R-E-S-P-E-C-T !!!” The Aretha Franklin and Kate Smith kind. Get your Jerseys before they run out of Orange. And, you veterans out there – find a newbie, give him/her a hug, and welcome ‘em aboard. It’s going to be a hell of a ride.
In my humble opinion, cheese steak will always prevail over deep dish pizza. Take that Chicago!
Send photos of you showing your Flyers Pride to talktokate@phillyin.com
