Dec 2, 2011; Anaheim, CA, USA; Philadelphia Flyers fan watches defenseman Braydon Coburn (5) warm up before the start of a game against the Anaheim Ducks at The Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
After the hoopla and shenanigans subside with the NHL free agency and draft, hockey talk starts to come to a lull until September. Writers dig for stories, hoping that something is said or done that can make people tune in and read. Most of the time in late July and early August, that is not the case. And I crave for hockey talk all the time, as I’m sure you do as well. I developed a five part series that I feel can make for pretty easy debate. This five part series deals with five things I believe every Flyers fan should experience at least once in their lifetime. This is in no particular order, because each one of them is special in its own right. So without further ado, I present to you the first of five: Travel to an away game.
I’ve had the opportunity on three different occasions to go to a Flyers away game. I’ve been to Newark, NJ to see the Flyers play the Devils, and I’ve been to Tampa for two Flyers Lightning games. All three times have been an absolute blast.
Going to Flyers games at the Wells Fargo Center is great. I love it and there’s nowhere else I’d rather be in the winter then the WFC. But going to an away game in an opponents arena is special. For one, you get to go to a place you may have never been before, or at least a new stadium. Before the game, walk around the arena, check out the amenities and foods that the host has to offer. Compare the WFC to wherever you are at the moment and make your own conclusions about which is better.
If you get to the arena early enough, go down to the Flyers bench for warmups. Watching warmups is cool, especially with the arena music pumping you up, but its even better at an away game because the Flyers players are always pumped to see orange and black on the road. Some players have been known to flip more pucks than usual to Flyers fans, make fun faces with fans or check themselves against the glass, or even give a thank you stick tap for the fans who make the trip. It really gives the players a little extra motivation and they really do get excited to see Flyers colors in a different building.
My favorite part about going to an away game however is seeing other Flyers fans. Flyers fans are nationwide, so no matter where you go, you will see the “Flying P” logo in attendance. Flyers fans on the concourse in other arenas will give a big high five to each other and scream, or even start a chant of “Let’s Go Flyers!” Any Flyers fan in the surrounding area will certainly join in. After a Flyers win, be sure to find a group of Philly fans walking out of the arena, as they’ll undoubtedly be chanting and screaming and celebrating while walking to the local bar and party into the night.
Going to Flyers games, home or away, is a great thing in itself. But there is something about an away game that makes going a little sweeter. And while the NHL has completely dropped the ball on the upcoming schedule, start picking out cities and places where you would like to see the Flyers play. Traveling to a road game is definitely something that all Flyers fans must experience.