1/2 Flyers' fans - 1/2 Caps' fans at the Wachovia Center
Posted 11:47 AM ET | Comments 1
It comes as no surprise that, once again, Pierre McGuire made an appalling and completely ridiculous comment that couldn't be farther from the truth.
During the Flyers/Capitals broadcast yesterday on NBC, McGuire was asked if home-ice advantage would be an evident factor in the series. He answered "no" and then proceeded to say that the Verizon Center contained 1/2 Caps' fans - 1/2 Flyers' fans, which was clearly not the case as could be seen from the enormous amount of red worn by the Caps' fans (basically every seat filled was engulfed in red).
Then, he went on to say something that practically made me fall out of my chair.
After his first misguided comment, he went even further and said that the upcoming Flyers' games at the Wachovia Center would be 1/2 Flyers' fans - 1/2 Caps' fans! Wait a second. Did he actually say what I think he did? Is he serious? Are you kidding me? You bet he was serious.
After rearranging myself back into my chair, I took a collective moment to think about what was just said. 1/2 Flyers' fans - 1/2 Caps' fans at the Wachovia Center for a Flyers' playoff game? Maybe when Hell freezes over! This obviously wasn't a blatant shot at Flyers' fans, although totally wrong and laughable, but I couldn't help but feel just a tad bit insulted. I mean, c'mon, shouldn't a guy like Pierre, who has been around hockey his whole life and frequented countless arenas during his career, know the Wachovia Center is going to be jam-packed with Flyers' fans with only a smidge or trace amount of Caps' fans?
Sure, some Caps' fans were probably able to get their hands on a ticket or two but the building is sold-out (no tickets available at all for games 3 & 4) because the Flyers have a rabid fan-base that is one of the most loyal and passionate in all of sports.
As a diehard Flyers' fan for 15 years plus (I'm 22), I take comfort in knowing that the 20,000 fans at the game as well as the countless others at home (or in a bar) will be heard. The sound will be deafening. And it will certainly not be 50/50.
During the Flyers/Capitals broadcast yesterday on NBC, McGuire was asked if home-ice advantage would be an evident factor in the series. He answered "no" and then proceeded to say that the Verizon Center contained 1/2 Caps' fans - 1/2 Flyers' fans, which was clearly not the case as could be seen from the enormous amount of red worn by the Caps' fans (basically every seat filled was engulfed in red).
Then, he went on to say something that practically made me fall out of my chair.
After his first misguided comment, he went even further and said that the upcoming Flyers' games at the Wachovia Center would be 1/2 Flyers' fans - 1/2 Caps' fans! Wait a second. Did he actually say what I think he did? Is he serious? Are you kidding me? You bet he was serious.
After rearranging myself back into my chair, I took a collective moment to think about what was just said. 1/2 Flyers' fans - 1/2 Caps' fans at the Wachovia Center for a Flyers' playoff game? Maybe when Hell freezes over! This obviously wasn't a blatant shot at Flyers' fans, although totally wrong and laughable, but I couldn't help but feel just a tad bit insulted. I mean, c'mon, shouldn't a guy like Pierre, who has been around hockey his whole life and frequented countless arenas during his career, know the Wachovia Center is going to be jam-packed with Flyers' fans with only a smidge or trace amount of Caps' fans?
Sure, some Caps' fans were probably able to get their hands on a ticket or two but the building is sold-out (no tickets available at all for games 3 & 4) because the Flyers have a rabid fan-base that is one of the most loyal and passionate in all of sports.
As a diehard Flyers' fan for 15 years plus (I'm 22), I take comfort in knowing that the 20,000 fans at the game as well as the countless others at home (or in a bar) will be heard. The sound will be deafening. And it will certainly not be 50/50.
And that smidge of Caps' fans should be advised that if they wear their red, to make it red armor :)