Devils vs Flyers Game 2 at the Prudential Center

[Jersey Wing 1,521]

WOW. Last night was the first time I've ever really gotten to cheer FOR the Devils out here. Normally I'm just there to soak in NHL hockey and going to a couple of last year's opening round disaster to Carolina I didn't really care they lost. I HATE the Flyers. Always have. The color scheme makes my eyes bleed, their overall persona as ogres with sticks, plus now they have Carcillo, Pronger, Hartnell, just more reason to detest them. I chanted some horrible things about the city of Philadelphia with my new brethren last night, as did my wife in her Reg Dunlop jersey. I had NEVER heard the Prudential Center SO into a game. Now granted there were a good couple thousand Flyers fans (more on that later in 'the fighting' portion of this story) but the Jersey faithful were in full voice. In between faceoffs lots of Springsteen and Bon Jovi being pumped in.

The Devils no name defense corps continues to get the job done. Richards and Carter were invisible last night. They chipped in offensively as well. Even though he took two penalties Kovalchuk kept himself off of the backs of milk cartons if only for a game. Without sounding like an arrogant jackass I think I'm a pretty good heckler. I honed my craft for many years in the first row of seats in left field at the old Tiger Stadium heckling opposing left fielders. A buddy of mine and I got Pete Incavigilia to stare back at us three times in one game, I mean GLOWERING. Early in the first period after a teevee timeout there was a faceoff right in front of us. The crowd quieted down just enough for me to yell and get a huge response "Chris Pronger, you ARE the father" ala Maury. He had to have heard it.

OK, the fights. These people HATE one another. I mean screaming in each others faces during the games. Well in the restroom after the game a Flyers fan was talking s*** about "How come so many Flyers fans could get seats, you can't even sell out your playoff games losers". To wit immediately the Devils fans asked when they last century the Flyers won a Stanley Cup was. As the guy tried to go back to the ticket sales slant everyone started chanting "35 years, 35 years". another Flyers fan in a Brind'Amour sweater started pushing a big Devils fan but the Devils fan tried to be cool. The guy in the Brind'Amour sweater left and then came running back in swinging fists at like that guy and any one around him. It was a nasty dust up and there was some of Faux Brind'Amour's blood on the tile floor. Another fight started in the huge crush of people either using stairs or elevators to street level. Just 3-4 guys trying to throw punches but more rasslin than haymakers.

When is game 5?

Look at Pronger #20, looking to see when he can commit his next slash or other heinous stick foul and try not to get caught. The beady eyes give it away...

A nice shot on the powerplay on Boucher, strangely referred to as '******' by Devils fans last night

The Devils crash the net just before scoring the game winner with about 4 minutes left. Parise #9 got it on a rebound of a Zubrus backhand. You can see Zubrus starting to come out from behind the net here. 3 seconds later I'd have had the shot of a lifetime.

And the crowd goes wild. Everyone agrees that next time they go to Philly they'll litter.

[brett 1,029]

always a good rivalry. still think devils are pretty boring. seemed like a good time though

still very surprised philly hangs in with a mediocre at best goalie

Edited April 17, 2010 by brett

[Jersey Wing 1,521]

always a good rivalry

still very surprised philly hangs in with a mediocre at best goalie

There was one stretch last night in the second period where the Devils just tilted the ice for a full 5 minutes Boucher stood on his head

[Lidstrom for life 20]

Sweet pictures! I saw quite a bit of that game it was quite entertaining, sounds like the crowd was even more so though!