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Philadelphia Flyers Show Frustration in Game 3

By Jennifer Hoffman

Apr 18, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Flyers goalie Steve Mason (35) reacts after goal by Washington Capitals during the third period in game three of the first round of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Wells Fargo Center. The Capitals defeated the Flyers, 6-1. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 18, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Flyers goalie Steve Mason (35) reacts after goal by Washington Capitals during the third period in game three of the first round of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Wells Fargo Center. The Capitals defeated the Flyers, 6-1. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports /
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Philadelphia Flyers Frustration Boils Over in Game 3, Fans Litter Ice With Commemorative Ed Snider Bracelets

The Philadelphia Flyers lost their chairman and founder Ed Snider last week and on Monday night prior to Game 3 against the Washington Capitals they honored him with a pregame tribute.

Losing EMS wasn’t the only thing the Flyers lost, they lost their cool too both on the ice and in the stands.

The Flyers could not have asked for a better start to the game, just 57 seconds in Michael Raffl beat Caps goaltender Braden Holtby to give the Flyers the early lead. Other than the light show and tribute to Snider, those were the only highlights of the night. Things turned south very quickly. Washington scored 15 seconds in to their first power play to even the score at 1 goal a piece. 

During the third period was when things took a turn for the worst. Flyers forward Pierre- Edouard Bellemare hit Washington defenseman Dmitry Orlov into the boards. This hit then spawned a huge brawl in which the Flyers would get multiple penalties and game misconduct’s on Ryan White and Radko Gudas. Bellemare received a game misconduct and a five-minute major for his hit on Orlov. (Bellemare received a 1 game suspension for this hit and will not play in game 4)

The teams frustration could be felt not just on the ice but in the stands as well. The Wells Fargo Center distributed wristbands on every seat for the pre game light show.

Well, in typical Philadelphia fashion (unfortunately) these wristbands ended up on the ice in the third period. Fans were frustrated with their teams play, as they were now down 4-1, and looking to be down 0-3 to a cup hungry Capitals team.

Not all fans in attendance threw their wristbands but some fans did choose to throw the bands on the ice which is an entirely different issue in itself.

Apr 18, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Members of the Philadelphia Flyers Ice Crew pick up wristband that were thrown onto the ice during the third period against the Washington Capitals in game three of the first round of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Wells Fargo Center. The Capitals defeated the Flyers, 6-1. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 18, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Members of the Philadelphia Flyers Ice Crew pick up wristband that were thrown onto the ice during the third period against the Washington Capitals in game three of the first round of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Wells Fargo Center. The Capitals defeated the Flyers, 6-1. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports /

Public Address announcer Lou Nolan warned fans of a possible delay of game penalty for continuing to throw the wristbands onto the ice. Alex Ovechkin scored to make the game 5-1 and down came more wristbands. Officials called a delay of game penalty in which Flyers fans cheered for.

Wayne Simmonds and Alex Ovechkin even begged fans to stop throwing the bracelets on to the ice. When two star players have to take their mind off the game and address the behavior of the fans, that’s when you know you have an issue.

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In a must win situation the Flyers ultimately fell short as did the fans. On a night where they pay tribute to their founder and owner and the sole reason why the orange and black exist, that is how they reacted. It’s a shame that this situation Monday night gave the city of Philadelphia another black eye in the sports world. Yes, Flyers fans are passionate about their team, they live and die by the Flyers but the behavior shown last night was a disgrace. It was a disgrace captured on national television.

Those select fans who did choose to throw the wristbands and ignore the pleas from PA Lou Nolan and the players do not speak for or represent the entire Flyers fan base. Many indeed are ashamed of that behavior and are embarrassed by it. There are several ways to show the frustration with the way your team is playing. You can simply not watch the game, or do not attend the game but when fans take it to the level that the fans did last night, that is simply uncalled for.

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Philadelphia now faces a familiar situation, being down 0-3 in a playoff series. However, this is not the 2010 Flyers team and most certainly is not the 2010 Boston Bruins. The Washington Capitals are hungry for a cup and truly went all in this season, adding key pieces to their roster to hopefully get them over the hump and into the Stanley Cup final. They are arguably the best hockey team in the league.

Next: Ed Snider Passes Away at 83 Years Old

This Flyers team was not supposed to make the playoffs and sadly in this series is proving all the reasons why they shouldn’t have. The team is in a rebuild year and will be a contender in the East in just a few years, but not right now.

Game 4 will certainly be interesting and will raise many questions. Can the Flyers step up and win? Or will the Caps secure the sweep and advance to the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs where they will await the winner of the Penguins/Rangers series.

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