Our first Fan Report of the Flyers season comes from reader Josh McInnis, who was in Raleigh last night with some friends to see the Flyguys tear it up. Here's what he had to say, along with some pics from the lot and the game.
My group of six local Flyers fans were among relatively few Philadelphia fans in attendance, although I did meet a girl who to her credit drove down from Jersey for the game.
A great and loud Carolina crowd backed the Hurricanes as they came out feistier than the Flyers in the first period, slamming the good guys into the boards and preventing the Flyers from getting much going on offense.
Coming back to my seat at the start of the second period, the Flyers owned 50 seconds and effectively silenced the crowd and seemed to sap all resolve out of the 'Canes. This game was all Emery though. If he keeps playing like this, we should send all our struggling players to Moscow for a year. I'm looking at Carle. Emery stopped everything that came his way, and he was the beneficiary of a plethora of wide shots on goal as Carolina never really posed a scoring threat after a first period goal that was called back.
Pronger was impressive, both in his massive size and his crisp clean passing.
JVR was also impressive on offense, with great size and physicality and scoring his first NHL point on an assist. Overall, the Flyers looked a little sluggish though and hopefully they come out more aggressive against the Devils on Saturday. As for the venue, the Carolina fans are great. Easy-going and good-natured, and knowing that they have a good squad that has achieved some success recently. Not much from them in the way of ribbing. One said, "We might be Southern, but that doesn't mean we're polite." Shucks, they're polite all right. An opening night shutout sure is humbling though.
An opening night shutout, from our new goalie Ray Emery. I like the sound of that.
Thanks to Josh and his friends for the report. More pics here.
Original Story:
http://www.the700level.com/2009/10/fa...
