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Flyers playoff push brings excitement to Xfinity Arena
Excitement is building among fans at Xfinity Mobile Arena as the Philadelphia Flyers fight for a playoff spot, with hopes high for a return to postseason hockey.
PHILADELPHIA - The Philadelphia Flyers are in the middle of a playoff race, but a loss to the Detroit Red Wings on Thursday night showed just how close the battle is with less than two weeks left in the regular season.
Flyers fans feel the playoff buzz returning
What we know:
The Flyers are battling for the final playoff spot, and the city has not seen playoff hockey in six years. Fans described the energy inside Wells Fargo Center as electric, with one saying, "There’s a buzz back on Broad Street."
What they're saying:
"This is playoff hockey, so you have to be ready for the start," said head coach Rick Tocchet. Will Scogna, a fan, said, "I got my daughter here — she doesn’t even know what playoffs is. So it’ll be nice to have playoffs in South Philly." His daughter Savannah added, "It would be really cool… honestly would be a dream come true. I’ve not experienced anything like that."
The Flyers surprised fans by hiding signed player jerseys throughout the team store, a first-of-its-kind promotion that added to the excitement. Kerry Lecure, a fan, said, "This is a nice surprise… maybe the Flyers will make the playoffs. God, I hope."
The Flyers’ playoff drought and the road ahead
The backstory:
The Flyers have not won a Stanley Cup since the 1970s, during the era of Joe Watson and the "Broad Street Bullies."
Watson said, "The last time we won a Cup when I played… there’s a lot of buzz in the air."
What's next:
The Flyers have eight games left and just 13 days to decide their fate. Goaltender Samuel Ersson said, "Sucks," after the loss, but emphasized the team’s belief remains strong.
Rookie Porter Martone said, "It was awesome. These fans are incredible," after his first experience with the home crowd.
The Flyers are in a do-or-die situation as they try to turn their late-season surge into a playoff appearance.
What we don't know:
It is still uncertain if the Flyers will secure a playoff spot, and the outcome of their final eight games will determine their postseason fate.
The Source: Information from interviews with Flyers players, coaches, and fans.