Philly fans are still proud of the young Flyers despite sweep by the Hurricanes
The Flyers' 3-2 overtime loss to the Hurricanes ended their season. Here's how fans were feeling.
Good things happen to good people — but sometimes, that’s not always the case.
On Saturday night, the Flyers suffered a 3-2 overtime loss to the Carolina Hurricanes, putting an end to their season.
Despite the loss, fans stayed in the arena and cheered on their young team for bringing playoff hockey back to South Philadelphia — giving their players a standing ovation.
Heading into Game 4 on the brink of elimination, there was still a glimmer of hope among Flyers fans.
“I think we have them right where we want them,” said Pennsylvania native Amir Mansoory. “The reverse sweep was the plan the whole time. We’re doing this for theatrics. Flyers have always loved a good show. We’re going to slam them tonight. We’re going to blow them out. It’s going to be the first game of the four-game comeback and it’s going to be crazy.”
But after watching the team’s season come to an end, many fans couldn’t have been prouder of how far the young Flyers have come.
“I want to tell them to keep their heads up,” said 24-year-old Zach Sorgini of Collegeville. “We weren’t supposed to be here. ... So keep your head up and just come back next year hungry and ready for more.”
Nobody expected the Flyers to make it this far.
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Back in March, the Flyers had a 3.8% chance of making this year’s playoffs. On April 13, the Flyers defied those odds — clinching their postseason spot in a 3-2 shootout at home against the Hurricanes.
With that win, the Flyers were bringing playoff hockey back to Philly.
“You feel it in the building,” said South Jersey native Manos Vournavakis. “If you are here for one game, you know exactly what it’s about. Especially the last series, it was electric. Everybody was together. The building was alive again. We haven’t seen it in years.”
The building was rocking during each home playoff game, and brought in several Phillies and Eagles players, and popular Philly figures, including Governor Josh Shapiro and comedian Shane Gillis.
And on Saturday night, NASA astronaut — and diehard Philly sports fan — Christina Koch came to support the Flyers.
“We’re so glad to have [playoff hockey] back,” Mansoory said. “I can’t wait for next year already. These young guys are insane and I can’t wait to watch every second of their career.”
The team’s series against the Penguins marked the long-awaited return of postseason hockey to the hometown crowd. Before that, the last time the Flyers hosted a playoff game in Philly was in 2018.
For most Flyers fans, they’re still happy they were able to get the Penguins out of the running early.
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“Obviously, you want them to win every game,” Sorgini said. “That’s not always possible. But, they beat the Penguins, and that was an awesome series and frankly we weren’t even supposed to be here.”
Sorgini added: “I think we’re just hoping the team learns from this experience. And going forward we can be [Stanley] Cup contenders.”
