Philadelphia Flyers: 8 Years in the Making, a Fan Base Reignited

The last time fans got to witness playoff hockey in Philadelphia, it was eight years ago to the day on Wednesday night. Already, there was a different feeling in the air.

Sure, there was the hunger of a playoff drought, the many years of watching a middling team without a sense of direction that consistently watched these games from their couches. Now, not only were the Philadelphia Flyers in the thick of it, they had a real opportunity to win. Game 3 carried the potential of placing a stranglehold on the series against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

The playoffs have long been a mainstay of Flyers’ hockey. Season after season, the Flyers may have fallen short, but they always got into the dance. Until the last decade, when outside of a few on-and-off appearances, they largely missed the playoffs and spent the long offseason trying to figure out what was next.

So when the Flyers finally got to bring the series home, and did so with a 2-0 lead, it was a long overdue gathering of the faithful that had waited so long for something to believe in.

And man, did the Flyers deliver the goods.

A rivalry that seemed dormant coming into the season was revitalized. There were constantly scrums, tackling, punches thrown, slashed delivered, and the crowd ate every bit of it up.

But the Flyers are also winning over the crowd with their youthful energy…even if it wasn’t all the youth delivering the offense. Like scrappy and tough veteran Rasmus Ristolainen, who so many believed would thrive in a playoff element, actually getting the chance to prove it, and scoring a goal. Nick Seeler, known more for his defensive zone prowess and ability to eat pucks with blocked shots, getting a shot through a screen for a goal.

The first goal of the night, however, was the one. There’s so many elements to observe. Trevor Zegras, known more for his creativity, leaning into a one-timer to finally lift the crowd. Zegras yelled in celebration, pumped his fist, and made a beeline for a penalty box that housed five Flyers celebrating in unison as if they were on the ice.

It was a scene straight out of playoff runs past.

That was the first of many loud roars. Ristolainen and Seeler quickly followed the Zegras tally with two more to open up a 3-1 lead. The fans were hooked. A commanding lead in the series was within reach.

The night eight years in the making now feels like only the first chapter. Game 4 is on Saturday night, with a chance to sweep within reach. In the event the Flyers don’t win one of the next two games to finish off the series, a Game 6 in Philadelphia would await. And if the Flyers do win a game before then to advance, there are at least two more home games added to the schedule.

Each additional home game is one more than ever anticipated. This wasn’t the expectation, at least publicly. The longer the ride goes, the more it fuels the future. The more it brings back a crowd that had pushed the Flyers away. The more it makes people believe, hope, and dream.

Kevin Durso is Flyers insider for 97.3 ESPN. Follow him on social media @Kevin_Durso.