A Phillies takeover, preparing for Carolina, and more from the Flyers’ Game 6 win over the Penguins

Waves of orange engulfed Xfinity Mobile Arena. Walking through the main concourse, trumpet sounds filled the air followed by “Crosby sucks” chants. Fans hung their jerseys over the banister on the second level of the arena and waved their rally towels in the air.

The Flyers secured their first series victory since 2020, following a 1-0 overtime win in Game 6 over the Pittsburgh Penguins — and it sent fans into a frenzy.

“Baby, [being a Philly sports fan] is like a heart monitor,” said 26-year-old Tyler Smith. “Highs and lows, if it was flat then we’d all be dead. Philly sports is the greatest thing on this Earth. Go Flyers, Go Sixers, Go Phillies. Go Birds.”

There’s been a lot of chaos to navigate for Philly sports fans. The Sixers currently trail their first-round series with the Boston Celtics, 3-2, the Phillies fired manager Rob Thomson on Tuesday, and the Flyers prolonged a series some fans thought would end in Game 4.

» READ MORE: Cam York’s OT winner eliminates the Penguins, as Flyers advance to second round for the first time since 2020

“It’s been a little stressful,” said 39-year-old Brewerytown native Shaun Stevens. “We’ve been playing with house money because it’s a bunch of young guys. We weren’t supposed to be here in the first place, so, it’s a pleasant surprise. And now that we’re here, we have to back everyone down. Let’s take ‘em down. Now, there’s some investment into it. Now, we’re out for blood.”

But to 29-year-old Malvern native Kyle Tashjian, it wasn’t supposed to be an easy series.

“We were never meant to win 4-0,” Tashjian said. “That’s not the way this series is meant to be. All that matters is we fought, we put the grit on the ice. All that matters is orange is winners.”

The Flyers will face the top-seeded Carolina Hurricanes in the second round of the playoffs. Carolina advanced by sweeping the Ottawa Senators in their best-of-seven, first-round series.

“Listen, Carolina is an unbelievable team,” Tashjian said. “All that matters is we got young guys who are on the ice. They got grit. They got fight. All that matters is we bring it into Carolina, baby.”

As Flyers fans entered Xfinity Mobile Arena for Game 6, most Phillies fans were leaving the South Philadelphia Sports Complex after their game against the San Francisco Giants was postponed — except for Jamie Phillips, Nate Phillips, Randi Phillips, Tyler Smith, and Lindsay Brandt.

Both Smith and Brandt had traveled two hours from Hershey to attend the Phillies’ PGA Tour night. After the game was postponed, instead of heading back home, they all decided to purchase Flyers tickets from the parking lot — paying $267 a ticket for Section 116.

» READ MORE: Sielski: Flyers exceed expectations with thrilling first-round series win over the Penguins in overtime

“So we were skating around on Ticketmaster and we found five tickets in a good enough section,” Jamie Phillips said. “So, we didn’t want to waste their trip.”

Smith added: “You turn lemons into Flyers playoff tickets.”

Wednesday’s game wasn’t the group’s first game this season. They were there for the Flyers’ April 13 home game when they clinched a playoff appearance with a win over the Carolina Hurricanes. Now, they had the chance to witness another monumental feat.

“I’ll die for my country, Philadelphia,” Smith said.

And they weren’t the only ones making their way over from Citizens Bank Park. Phillies players Trea Turner, Kyle Schwarber, J.T. Realmuto, and Jesús Luzardo made their way over to support the Flyers.

“This team, it reminded us a little of October baseball being able to walk in here,” Realmuto told NBC Sports Philadelphia. “We got rained out tonight. So, we jumped at the chance to come over and support the Flyers.

“This team reminds me a lot of us back in 2022 with the late push to get into the postseason, riding the momentum. So, we’re rooting hard and let’s go Flyers.”

Fans prepared for Game 6 on the main concourse by designing posters, building charm bracelets, posing for photos with Gritty, and listening to the Eagles drumline.

And in one corner, fans could spot 27-year-old Mitich Muhlbaier, who was making a custom Flyers rug in the corner. The New Jersey native has made custom rugs for three years now. His rugs largely center around Philly sports.

After posting a Flyers rug giveaway on his social media page, Muhlbyrugs, the Flyers reached out and invited Muhlbaier to Wednesday’s game.

“I was super hyped,” Muhlbaier said. “I was blown away by the traction of the giveaway in general. It blew up on social media, obviously good timing to do a Flyers giveaway with them in the playoffs. But I was mind blown to get invited to this and I’m very grateful for the opportunity.”

After five hours of making the rug, the finished product will be auctioned off by Flyers Charities.