Flyers fans rally at their home arena

A small army of fans dressed in black and orange massed today at the Flyers' home arena in a show of support for the team as it readies for Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals in Chicago.

Some of their shirts said it all: "We bleed orange."

All told, a few hundred people showed up for the lunchtime rally at the Wachovia Center to listen to a live band and take part in family friendly activities.

One of them was Gabe Ortiz, 7, who said he likes two things about hockey: "When they fight" and when the crowd sings.

He demonstrated by breaking into a jaunty rendition of "Let's go Flyers" before heading off to try to knock a ball into a net with a hockey stick, a popular activity for children at the rally.

Cousins Billy Conn and Bryan Williams, both 23, grew up with the Flyers. Billy's mom bought season tickets in 1967.

"We follow every game we can, even if it means staying up 'til 2 a.m. watching the taped version," Williams, who lives in Voorhees, said as he waited with Conn to get their picture taken with the Wales Cup inside the Wachovia Center.

Two fans went so far as to paint their car bright orange with "Flyers" in black.

But they drove off before anyone could ask them about their homemade paint job.

Game time is 8 p.m. Saturday. It will be broadcast on NBC10.

Philadelphia will host Games 3 and 4 on Wednesday, June 2, and Friday, June 4. Both are scheduled for 8 p.m.