Why I'm paying attention to the Flyers-Bruins NHL playoff series

I'm not exactly a big hockey fan (although I did sign up for National Hate Sidney Crosby Day on Facebook, just because!) But I am rooting for the Philadelphia Flyers this week in the NHL playoffs.

You may be wondering why would I care about an NHL team - especially a Philly franchise. Well, it's because the Flyers are up against the Boston Bruins. And because Boston was up 3 games to 0 in the series, before Philadelphia won the next three games in a row. Sound familiar? Now the two teams will face off in Game 7 in Boston this Friday.

While nothing will ever truly make up for 2004, it would warm my heart a little - make that a lot - if Boston fans were on the losing end in such a matchup. Especially when Daniel Briere, one of the Flyers, is saying "why not us?" about the team's chances. You may remember a certain pitcher by the name of Curt Schilling who used that expression as well about Boston's ALCS hopes. Boston fans must love that expression being used on the other side.


Imagine the humiliation Boston fans will feel if they lose Game 7. How delicious would that be?

Oh, and remember, Yankee fans, how Red Sox fans mocked our fanbase for throwing garbage on the field during Game 6, after the Slap Play was overruled? Well, at least no Yankee fans threw condoms at Red Sox fans! That's what happened to CrossingBroad.com - and Philly fan - blogger Adam Gonsiewski when he went to Boston for Game 5.  He also said that Bruins fans threw "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." He notes, "I'm sure this would have been all over TV if the game was in Philadelphia." Stay classy, Boston!

There's another connection here with this Bruins-Flyers to the Yankees-Red Sox - Kate Smith (who, by the way, has just been honored with a new postage stamp featuring her.) The Flyers were the first sports team to promote Kate's version of  "God Bless America" - the song that gets played every Yankee home game (although the Yankee version sounds like it was recorded on a Victrola!)  They even have a statue in tribute of her singing. A recent Philadelphia Daily News poll rated the Flyers' "God Bless America" as Philadelphia's best sports tradition - yes, it beat out booing!

And look what Philadelphia played during last night's game, according to Dan Shaughnessy of the Boston Globe:

Back in Philly, just before they dropped the puck, the big board at the Wachovia Center featured grainy footage of the late, great Kate Smith singing “God Bless America.’’ The tradition started in the late 1960s as an answer to Vietnam War protests. Kate turned out to be a good-luck charm for the Flyers. Old-time Bruins fans might remember Phil Esposito shaking hands with Kate before the Bruins lost Game 6 in the ’74 Finals.

Smith also sang at the Spectrum in 1975 when the Flyers played the Islanders — the very same New York team that came back to beat the Penguins after trailing, 3-0.

See, it's all connected! Go Flyers! God Bless America!


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