Flyers vs. Phantoms

[Rustpot 1]

So the two Philly teams are playing right now. I've never heard of an NHL team playing their AHL affiliate, only splitting the team for Red/White or Blue/White etc games.

Do any other teams do this?

As expected, the Flyers are pretty much domiating and playing a lighter game. Even the Flyers penalty kill is dominating the play. Nittymaki is in net for the Phantoms, not their AHL regular. I get that this is to be a showcase game and whatnot, but what's the point? Why not split both teams and play a black vs. white mixed game?

And the Phantom jerseys are even worse than the Flyers.

A question for the Philly guys- is the Wachovia Spectrum the Flyers' arena, and they moving to the Wachovia Complex for the start of the season, or have they been playing at the Complex already?

[Chadd 916]

They have been playing in the new arena since 96-97 it's across the parking lot from the Spectrum. This was planned well in advance as a (Flyer) finale to the Spectrum.

I was at the first hockey game in the new building, it was the US - Canada game in the '96 world cup.

[OmegaGoalie 9]

They should have let the Phantoms regular goalie play. It would have be more respectable. Just my thoughts.

[Rustpot 1]

I see. It's kind of confusing as the annoucers keep referring to this as the last game, going into the history and big games played here... mentioning in passing about the Complex and referring to it only in the present and future tense.

So if they do a Flyers v. Phantoms game in the future they'll have to do it in the Complex? Seems odd they would either have a sendoff back in 96 or continue to use it. Just and odd time to be doing an event now.

I found out when I was looking for parking that the buildings are right next to each other. I just hope this Monday doesn't have a Phillies or Eagles game, it'll be a nightmare getting in and around for the Habs game.

[shooter27 116]

The reason the teams are playing in the Spectrum tonight is because they are knocking down the building at the end of the season to make room for the Philly Live! complex. Thats why they are mentioning all the past big games and whatnot at the Spectrum. The Phantoms will be moving out of the city for next season.

As for your other concern, the Eagles don't play on Monday night this week and I don't believe the Phils will play on Monday either so you should be all set.

[Chadd 916]

There probably won't be a Phantoms team to play against next year. If there's no rink, there's nowhere for the team to play and I can't believe they could wedge their games in with the Flyers and Sixers at the Wachovia center.

Phillies are in LA on Monday

[Rustpot 1]

See, no one mentions the demolition, that would make things different. I assumed the -2009 was for the 08/09 season. Have the Flyers done anything else at the Spectrum in the last 10 years? Preseason, skates, camps, etc?

The Phillies do play Monday, thank god they're away though. Eagles don't play on a Monday until December. I didn't even think about that until Chadd reminded me all the buildings are right there.

[shooter27 116]

The current rumors have the Phantoms moving to one of the following locations: Trenton, Atlantic City, Lehigh Valley, Reading, or Camden. I have no idea where they will be after this season but they won't be in Philly, that much is certain. There are also rumors that the Flyers will hook up with Hershey again as its affiliate. I have no idea how much truth there is to any of these.

Rustpot, as far as I know the Flyers haven't been in the Spectrum since they moved to the Wachovia Center in '96 and the only reason they are there this year is to celebrate the history of the building.

[Cheesehead 0]

Rustpot, as far as I know the Flyers haven't been in the Spectrum since they moved to the Wachovia Center in '96 and the only reason they are there this year is to celebrate the history of the building.

They played a preseason game there a couple weeks ago. They had a huge ceremony before and they brought out all of the old Captains of the Flyers and then they named Mike Richards the captain.

[shooter27 116]

I misspoke - they have not been in the building at all other than this pre-season. I was actually at the game against Carolina - sat in my old seats too - what was Section U (now section 213) row 3, seats 3 & 4. Good times all around.

[mack 44]

I guess the one thing keeping them from having a Leafs/Marlies game is the fact that the Marlies would probably win.

[flyguy1697 0]

They are saying that the Phantoms could possibly be scheduled in the Wachovia Center for a year while they look for a new home for the team. Philadelphia is asking the city of Camden, New Jersey to possibly build a home for the team or somewhere in Allentown, PA. They are also talking about relocating to a different part of the United States. The idea of the Atlantic City Skatezone (the home of the ECHL Boardwalk Bullies a few years back) has been kicked around. Lots of great games played at the Spectrum. None that I remember but my dad was in tears the day he heard it was getting torn down. He witnessed two Cup's won, getting knocked out by a puck and his first hockey game there. Maybe I can thank the Spectrum for my hockey career?

[shooter27 116]

Peter Lukko, CEO of Comcast-Spectaor, has said there is no way they can have the Phantoms play in the Wachovia Center. They simply don't have enough open dates in the building for 40 Phantoms home games with they have the Flyers, Sixers, Concerts, Ice Capades, etc. all going on. What I have heard is that if they get Camden to build an arena the team may have a "nomad" year where they play a few games at the Wachovia Center, a few games in Trenton, AC, Allentown, etc. Definitely not the optimal solution, but it has been discussed.

[LegoDoom 0]

Anyone know if they've finalized plans for what's going on in the Spectrum location? Last I heard it was a complex with restaurants/bars, a movie theater, etc. Something for fans to do before or after games. I think it'd be cool to have a hotel there (in addition to restaurants/bars) and I know that idea has been kicked around.

Watching the Carolina game last week, I forgot how bad the lighting was in that building.

[shooter27 116]

It's called the Philly Live! complex. I'm sure you can google it if you like, but my understanding is it is exactly what you describe. An entertainment complex, shops, bars, restaurants, etc. etc. They are building a hotel, in fact the decision at the end of the day was if they included a hotel they were going to have to knock down the Spectrum so thats why the building is on its way out.

[Chadd 916]

I guess the one thing keeping them from having a Leafs/Marlies game is the fact that the Marlies would probably win.

Didn't stop the Flyers.

http://scores.espn.go.com/nhl/recap?gameId=281007061

[shooter27 116]

Wow - I guess I can put my playoff ticket order on hold then.

[Rustpot 1]

I turned off the game midway in the second. From the sounds of the recap either the Flyers started letting the game go or the AHL guys started kicking ass, it was heavily slanted towards the Flyers when I was watching, though both teams were pretty sloppy.

[skeeter14 0]

I guess the one thing keeping them from having a Leafs/Marlies game is the fact that the Marlies would probably win.

*zing*

[Chadd 916]

I turned off the game midway in the second. From the sounds of the recap either the Flyers started letting the game go or the AHL guys started kicking ass, it was heavily slanted towards the Flyers when I was watching, though both teams were pretty sloppy.

When I left for my game it was 1-0 Flyers.