Phillies players, including Trea Turner and Kyle Schwarber, were booed during Flyers’ Game 6 win over Penguins
Several Phillies were in attendance for the Flyers’ series-clinching win, while some fans bought last-minute tickets after the Phillies game was rained out.
At the same time Flyers fans were entering Xfinity Mobile Arena for the team’s Game 6 matchup against the Pittsburgh Penguins, most Phillies fans were leaving the South Philadelphia sports complex after their game against the San Francisco Giants was postponed.
But there were some who decided to buy last-minute Flyers tickets in the hopes of watching another local team play — a uniquely Philly experience that is only possible thanks to all the stadiums and arenas being in the same area.
And fans in red-and-white jerseys 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 were among those that showed up to support the Flyers. But, given the team’s recent struggles and the resulting firing of manager Rob Thomson — a polarizing move among fans — some decided to let their frustrations known.
Despite the reaction from the crowd, the Phillies, who won their first and only game so far under interim manager Don Mattingly, appreciated being in an environment that reminded them of their own playoff games. And the team on the ice reminded at least one of the players of a past Phillies team that made a surprise playoff run of their own.
» READ MORE: Flyers exceed expectations with thrilling first-round series win over the Penguins in overtime | Mike Sielski
“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.”
The 10-19 Phillies are a half-game ahead of the Mets for the worst record in baseball, and are 2-8 in their last 10 games. The Flyers, meanwhile, delivered the victory the Phillies were hoping for, eliminating the Penguins with a 1-0 overtime victory.
The fans that made the call to pivot from the Phillies to Flyers — including Jamie Phillips, Nate Phillips, Randi Phillips, Tyler Smith, and Lindsay Brandt — were also rewarded.
» READ MORE: Cam York launches his stick, Philly blares Mac Miller, and more celebrations from Flyers’ series win vs. Penguins
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.
“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’ve had the chance to witness another monumental feat. And they’re ready for what’s next as the underdog Flyers look to continue their unlikely run against Carolina, the Eastern Conference’s No. 1 seed.
“I’ll die for my country, Philadelphia,” Smith said.
» READ MORE: The Flyers needed a hero in Game 6. Unsung defenseman Cam York obliged in OT.
