Flyers versus Bruins at Fenway Park "confirmed"

by Travis Hughes on Jun 24, 2009 3:44 AM EDT in Philadelphia Flyers News

Anthony SanFilippo of the Delaware County Daily Times has confirmed the news that was reported by Boston radio station WEEI yesterday -- the Bruins will host the Flyers on New Years' Day 2010 at Fenway Park in Boston.

The NHL was pushing the Washington Capitals. They wanted to market Alex Ovechkin. NBC, the network broadcasting the game, said no dice. They were concerned with the poor ratings the Caps' produced in the playoffs in an opening round series against the New York Rangers - the No. 1 U.S. market for the NHL.

So, they told the NHL to skip Washington and give them the Flyers... a more certain brand to market.

The NHL was stubborn for a while... mostly because the Flyers were more interested in a Jan. 1 date with Pittsburgh than Boston. However, the NHL assured the Flyers that a future Flyers-Penguins outdoor game could still happen in a couple years.

The Flyers were satisfied and agreed to play.

>> Anthony SanFillippo, Delco Times

It seems like a win-win for fans of the orange and black. Not only do we get to see out boys play at a historic ballpark such as Fenway next season, it also seems we won't be missing out on an eventual dream Winter Classic with the Penguins (hopefully at Penn State).

There is another impact of this as well, however. You know all those times when the Flyers are on NBC and we're all sitting here cursing at the television -- "NBC hates the Flyers blah blah blah!" It's hard to argue that case anymore when they're the ones who wanted us in this game. It's hard to argue that case anymore when they picked us over Ovechkin, arguably the best, most entertaining player in the game today.

If last year is any indication, an official announcement from the league should come in the middle of July. Last year's Winter Classic between Detroit and Chicago was announced by the NHL on July 16.

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Sweet!

Kick the Bruins ass on New Years Day……..

by ljn on Jun 24, 2009 7:56 AM EDT reply actions

Wishin I could Go

The fact that I can’t will ensure I will go to the Pens/Flyers in a few years.

by boknows71 on Jun 24, 2009 8:52 AM EDT reply actions

hopefully

this is all true. i’d like to see them roll out in the ‘old school’ whites from the past, kinda like their new third jersey.

by PhillyPhan85 on Jun 24, 2009 10:07 AM EDT reply actions

Yeah, that would be cool. I’m sure a lot of comparisons will be made between the Flyers and Bruins then and now.

by Ben Feldman on Jun 24, 2009 11:25 AM EDT up reply actions

that's awesome

i hope we win

by Alon on Jun 24, 2009 10:16 AM EDT reply actions

NBC does not hate the flyers

but the announcers sure do.

I looked at Ohrnberger in the fourth quarter and he looked back at me. And we said, 'We're not losing this game"

by psudrozz on Jun 24, 2009 3:51 PM EDT reply actions

Hmmm...

The winners of the Winter Classic have been the losers of the Stanley Cup.

Pittsburgh won against Buffalo on New Years’ Day 2008, then lost in the Finals. Detroit beat Chicago on New Years’ Day 2009, then lost in the Finals.

I hope this pattern does not continue if the Flyers win the Winter Classic. If it does, at least we’ll win the Prince of Wales trophy, but I doubt that would prompt Mike Richards to say, “Eastern Conference Champions… Eastern Conference F****n’ CHAMPIONS!”

Do you see what happens when you find a stranger in the Alps?

by mikefive on Jun 24, 2009 5:16 PM EDT reply actions

I’d expect that to come from Ray Emery more than Richie, though he and Utley do seem to have similar personalities.

by Ben Feldman on Jun 24, 2009 5:45 PM EDT up reply actions

Im organizing a trip for this, stay tuned. [driving, possible getting a bus etc.] For anyone thats interested I’m gonna have to create a site or maybe a post with all the details coming later if its cool with BSH.

by kolparty on Jun 24, 2009 8:13 PM EDT reply actions

Im definitely going to this one with some of my buddies, we’re buying tickets the moment they go on sale. but yeah im definitely down to meet up with the BSH crew.

Either way, Flyers at Fenway? cant fucking wait.

by njh3293 on Jun 24, 2009 9:14 PM EDT up reply actions

Flyers at Fenway would be fricken’ sweet, even with all the Massholes.

by doubleh on Jun 24, 2009 11:33 PM EDT up reply actions

That would be awesome… even if we can’t all get tickets, we can always watch it at one of the million bars outside of Fenway.

Broad Street Hockey - SB Nation's Philadelphia Flyers Blog. Makin' it look mean since 1967.

by Travis Hughes on Jun 25, 2009 12:56 AM EDT up reply actions

Thats what I was thinking. I don’t think I will even be in the country :( but if I am we all need to hook up and at least go and be as annoying as possible.

Looking forward to the plans, ladies and gentlemen! ROAD TRIP!

by Mitchell Green on Jun 25, 2009 1:46 PM EDT up reply actions

Already booked my hotel

Staying at the Buckminster which is a block from the stadium and next to BU which means plenty of watering holes.

by Brave Fellow on Jun 25, 2009 8:23 AM EDT reply actions

Didn’t they do a lottery for Winter Classic tickets last year, the same way they did for the Phil’s playoff games? My luck’s out automatically, my number came up in the lottery for the NLCS last year, so it won’t come up again. Although the idea of just hangin out in the area has merit. Just remember that the transit trains to Fenway are like the green-line trolleys in Philly, they can be a real pain in the butt during a regular Red Sox game, so I’m sure it’ll be interesting getting around down there on Jan 1st.

by DragonGirl0583 on Jun 30, 2009 7:56 AM EDT reply actions