Playoff hockey in Philly ‘means everything’ to Flyers fans. Here’s how they celebrated.

Orange T-shirts filled the arena, fans dressed as Darth Vader, and “Let’s go Flyers” chants echoed throughout Xfinity Mobile Arena over the sounds of the Mummers marching through the main concourse — led by none other than Gritty.

Playoff hockey was back in Philadelphia, and fans couldn’t have been more excited as the Flyers secured a 5-2 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins in Game 3 of their Eastern Conference first-round series.

For 20-year-old John Dobbins of Reading, he had one word to describe the night.

“It means everything to me,” Dobbins said. “I’ve waited my whole life for this. My family has waited their whole lives. It means everything. It’s playoff hockey. It means everything.”

The last time the Flyers hosted a playoff game in Philly was in 2018, an 8-5 series-clinching loss to the Penguins in Game 6. Wednesday’s game marked the long-awaited return of postseason hockey for the hometown crowd.

Here were some of the highlights:

After picking up two wins at PPG Paints Arena, the Flyers enter Saturday leading the series 3-0, with the Penguins on the brink of elimination.

“It was a big win, I’m just excited,” said 55-year-old season ticket holder Chuck Scither. “I was nervous about this one but we came through and won it. ... A big win at home, we can’t say enough. Bring out the brooms.”

After five seasons of missing the playoffs, this young Flyers team has ignited new hope for a fanbase that’s been craving it for years.

“Growing up and seeing how great the Flyers were through the 2010’s and then how bad they’ve been through the 2020’s, it’s been a while,” said Steve Bryson. “It just brings the community together. I love seeing everybody together, all walks of life. I think it’s the best part of Flyers hockey.”

Twenty-six-year-old Garrett Babik of Medford, who came dressed as Darth Vader in honor of Flyers goaltender Dan Vladař, said he’s been waiting 10 years for this moment.

“This fan base has been so dormant for so long,” Babik said. “We’re going to show everybody what it means to be Flyers fans.”

However, Babik wasn’t letting Wednesday’s win go to his head.

“My thing with the Penguins in this series is show me the body,” Babik said. “The series is not over until it’s over. And I hope everyone out there feels the same way.”

Wednesday was Gritty’s first playoff game since he was unveiled as the Flyers mascot in 2018 — and fans had high expectations for the 7-foot mascot.

“He’s going to go nuts,” said 45-year-old Delran native Gary Hahn. “I can’t wait to see what he does.”

Playoff Gritty started the day at the Flyers block party, posing for photos with fans, before he led the Mummers around the main concourse to hype up the crowd ahead of Game 3.

Afterward Gritty could be spotted on the videoboard helping comedian, actor, podcaster, and Pennsylvania native Shane Gillis ignite the orange.

And throughout the night — well, Gritty did what Gritty does.

He brought the chaos, like throwing a penguin stuffed animal off the second deck after a vicious attack.

It looks like he kept the promise he made when he was first revealed.

Just two blocks away from the arena, at Skinny Joey’s, fans were getting ready for playoff hockey in the most Philly way possible: shooting goals to earn a free cheesesteak.

“Well, we’re always looking to give back to the community,” said Joe Perry, co-owner of Skinny Joey’s. “Cheesesteaks are expensive, like all the other food is expensive. Flyers are in the playoffs. Perfect opportunity for everybody to come here, take 1, 2, 3 shots to try to win a free cheesesteak.

“You know, Joey’s big on giving back to the community. His father was giving back in the 70s. Joey’s been doing it since the 80s.”

The man in front of the net was Ziggy, who has “been doing street hockey his whole life.” Just days before, Ziggy was inside the net with his trademark suit, a baseball glove, a backwards hat, and a smoke.

But on Wednesday — with cheesesteaks on the line — he traded in his suit for a Flyers jersey and goalie gear. And in the first two hours, about 12 people walked out with a free cheesesteak.

“He’s going to get fired if he keeps on letting them in,” said Joey Merlino, owner of Skinny Joey’s. “He’s going to get fired soon. Don’t worry about it.”

And staying on the topic of cheesesteaks, Xfinity Mobile Arena was offering a playoff special called the Hat Trick Challenge, similar to Citizens Bank Park’s 9-9-9 challenge box.

It offered fans three cheesesteaks and three fries for $45. To make it into a power play, fans could add two 24-oz domestic beers for an extra $36.38. To complete the hat trick, fans had to finish everything in three periods to “earn the glory.”