Creating a "visitors section" at the Wells Fargo Center

by Travis Hughes on Oct 29, 2010 4:51 PM EDT in Enhance Your Experience

Over the next few Fridays, we'll be talking about different ways to "Enhance The Fan Experience" as part of a SB Nation series sponsored by Samsung. You can see a bunch of these posts on various topics across the SB Nation Hockey network today.

When the Pittsburgh Penguins were in town two weeks ago to take on the Flyers at the Wells Fargo Center, I couldn't help but notice the number of fans from across the state in attendance. The cross-state invasion used to be a pretty one-sided thing. Anybody who attended a Flyers game in Pittsburgh early this decade or in the late 90s can tell you that it was basically Philadelphia West out there.

But as the Penguins have gotten better and this rivalry has actually become, you know, a rivalry, the cross-state invasion has become quite the even-sided affair. Penguins fans routinely make the trek to the WFC, just as our fans routinely make the trek to the Steel City.

It can be annoying. We all know this. Sure, we're usually able to put the invaders in their place with a few witty remarks about being in the wrong bathroom or something, but when the Flyers lay an egg on the ice, things get difficult. Combine that with the collective IQ of those invaders, many of which were chanting "Go home Flyers" from Section 217A of the WFC a few weeks ago, and it's just an obnoxious situation.

I might have a solution to the problem.

If you've ever been to a college hockey game, or, for that matter, any type of major college sporting event, you're well aware that the visiting fans get their own section of the stadium. They usually bring their crappy band or whatever and have all their cute little chants to throw at you, despite being outnumbered by the thousands. But it does a few things that make the general atmosphere in the stadium or rink more enjoyable.

For the visiting fans, they get to sit with like-minded people. They get to have fun creating those clever chants, making fun of the home team with some sort of collective voice. They get to talk about the game with fellow fans instead of arguing about the game with their opponents.

For the home fans, they don't have to deal with the bros in the row behind them in the matching Jordan Staal jerseys jumping up and down every time a penalty is called on the Flyers or, God forbid, a Penguin scores a goal. And when the Flyers score a goal or win the game, everybody knows where to direct the heckling.

For security, the chance that a fight breaks out in mid-game when the fans of the opposing team are all sitting together is slim to none. It becomes almost impossible for the two drunk assholes to start something with each other because, well, they're not sitting with each other.

Adding designated "visitor sections" at the WFC for games against big rivals -- any time an Atlantic Division team comes in, or a team like Toronto or Montreal that has a big following and always brings fans to road games in droves anyway -- would be a serious improvement of the overall fan experience.

Make it an upper-level section, maybe in a corner like 217A or 205 or 209A or something. Let them hang their banners and bring their noise-making devices. Give them a special code that's published on their team website for purchasing tickets in this section. They're coming anyway and they're buying tickets anyway, so it's not like this takes away any chance from Flyers fans that are going to

Obviously, we can't force visiting fans to sit in a segregated section of the stadium. But if you knew that there was a Flyers-only section at the CONSOL Energy Center, wouldn't you prefer to buy tickets there?

In addition to solving any problems that might arise between rival fans at a game, it would create a fun atmopshere of heckling and gamesmanship instead of the more hostile environment that we currently experience at games against rival teams. If you've ever been to a college event, you know how much more fun the atmosphere can be. Anything an NHL team can do to emulate that environment can only be a good thing.

Do you agree? Would you like to see a visitors section at the Wells Fargo Center? Do you think it would enhance the fan experience? Let us know your feelings in the comments.

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Comments

I think this is a good idea.

Put ‘em on the second level behind their own team’s net, opposite Dancing Shawny.

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

by mikefive on Oct 29, 2010 4:57 PM EDT reply actions

I wouldn’t want to go to an away game and sit up top. I’d want to buy lower-level.

by tmurder on Oct 29, 2010 4:58 PM EDT reply actions

Very good point. My father and I still make two or three road trips every year and I definitely buy more expensive seats in the lower bowls in order to insure we are among people who aren’t there on the cheap and ready for trouble. This, however, doesn’t apply in Washington anymore, those retards are an over the top, special brand of idiots. With there “It’s all your fault” chant. My dad is 75 and an idiot in a Greene Jersey who wouldn’t no Rod Langway from Dale Hunter kept chanting this while giving my docile father the finger. Fucking frontrunners!

Just Call Me "M"!

by MJDII on Oct 29, 2010 5:06 PM EDT up reply actions

Your post about DC makes me a little nervous for next week. I’m going to the Caps game, with a Cap fan, but plan to wear my Flyers colors. I’m hoping my petite female frame will keep potential hecklers away, or at least to a minimum.

by Little Red on Oct 29, 2010 6:02 PM EDT up reply actions

They are more bark then bite but they are very boisterous. They have a whole new generation of fans that remind me of a college basketball crowd. They weren’t violent just obnoxious. They do pre-organized chants and the jumbotron leads them around like a pied piper.

Just Call Me "M"!

by MJDII on Oct 29, 2010 6:09 PM EDT up reply actions

I can handle chants, just don’t want beer poured on me. I’ve been to a couple Caps/Flyers games, but that was back when the Caps weren’t that good and the Flyers fans came in by the bus loads.

by Little Red on Oct 29, 2010 6:15 PM EDT up reply actions

I’m the same as you, a small girl. (I’m like 5’2 and 103lbs.) They won’t do as much, cause, well, your a girl. Unless someone is particularly drunk. Just try to look small and pretty, and give half smiles to everyone. Or just go with some bigger guys

Let's do it again

by Cillo stache on Oct 30, 2010 11:45 AM EDT up reply actions

Chant of choice for Caps fans:

“TOO MANY CHEESESTEAKS!”

Flyers 10-11 season slogan: "Remember Emery?"

by JpH89 on Oct 30, 2010 1:46 PM EDT up reply actions

Been to every Flyers non-playoff game there for 6 years now. You’ll hear some comments, but there are still a sizable number of people there in orange. I’ve never had an issue and I sit with at least 10 caps fans. Only caveat is losing teams fan buys the first round of post game beers. That can get expensive.

by zot22 on Oct 29, 2010 8:55 PM EDT up reply actions

hey Red if I had a ticket

I could bodyguard that petite female frame of yours I’m 6’5" ,320 lbs and angry!

by dirkhead on Oct 30, 2010 11:39 AM EDT up reply actions

I try and sit upper level every game. I only sit lower level if I get them for free. So I guess it wouldnt bother me.

Flyers 10-11 season slogan: "Remember Emery?"

by JpH89 on Oct 29, 2010 5:17 PM EDT up reply actions

A visitors section at any Philly venue would create a gang mentality. Any knucklehead looking for a fight would wander over to this section and either wait for people to leave and challenge them in the concourse or head in guns a blazin’. At least among the masses there usually is a level headed home fan that tries to calm the situation.

Just Call Me "M"!

by MJDII on Oct 29, 2010 4:59 PM EDT reply actions

Yaaa the last Penguins/Flyers game at WFC a six yearold for mites on ice got boo-ed for saying he wanted to be a Penguin when he grew up. Poor kid. That and there were four Pens fans behind us in our row, and would cheer. They were then booed, and a group of Flyers fans got security to come and told them that the “Pens fans in the back are smoking pot and doing meth, you might wana check on that” (they weren’t, but it shut them up)

The afore mentioned plan is great for the opposing team, but also singles them out. Double edged sword

Let's do it again

by Cillo stache on Oct 29, 2010 5:01 PM EDT reply actions

Excuse the grammer. I ’m a bit (or very) scattered today. Sorry ’bout that

Let's do it again

by Cillo stache on Oct 29, 2010 5:02 PM EDT up reply actions

Are you at least getting healthier?

Just Call Me "M"!

by MJDII on Oct 29, 2010 5:07 PM EDT up reply actions

They put me on sterriods to open up my lungs on monday, but I’m not really getting better so going back tommorow. Going to school though, so thats good. Thanks :)

Let's do it again

by Cillo stache on Oct 29, 2010 5:10 PM EDT up reply actions

So, we can chant “YOU took STE-roids!” (Clap, clap, clap-clap-clap)

Just kidding. I myself am on a steroid (Flonase) for allergies.

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

by mikefive on Oct 29, 2010 5:14 PM EDT up reply actions

Feel better, by the way.

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

by mikefive on Oct 29, 2010 5:14 PM EDT up reply actions

Thanks :)

And flonase is a sterriod? Thats the nose spray that smells kinda like flowers, right? They keep me on that all the time, then. :/ And chant all you want, cause I don’t really care (I don’t get roid rage, just sleep allot, but not when I need to. And I barely eat. So chant feely, my freind)

Let's do it again

by Cillo stache on Oct 29, 2010 5:33 PM EDT up reply actions

Im on steroids too, but Im trying to become a major league pitcher one day.

Flyers 10-11 season slogan: "Remember Emery?"

by JpH89 on Oct 29, 2010 5:16 PM EDT up reply actions

You only need to worry when you start looking like Barry Bonds.

"In fact, it is probably safe to say, the statement "I am a hockey fan" is the same as "I hate gary bettman."- bfrank27

by Mike B on D on Oct 30, 2010 12:41 PM EDT up reply actions

I may be the exception to most Flyers fans, but I usually get along great with other teams fans. Last year, I was at a game against the Canadians(and you all know my hatred for cary Price too haha). But even though Im watching my most hated team with my most hated player, I had what was basically a whole game discussion with these Canadians fans in front of me(only one actually spoke english naturally). Hell, after the game one of the girls even took a picture with me and my cousin because “They were surprised how nice us Flyers fas were”(even though we blasted Price for evey goal he let in, and when he got pulled the whole section and more started a Cary chant.)

But yeah I have never had a problem with opposing fans, or even being the opposing fan. Maybe its because I don’t bother with the “NHL is out to get the Flyers” mentality and can actually hold an intelligent conversation with people in Caps or Penns or Blackhawks jerseys about their team and ours. So no, even though there are scummy people ho do nothing but torment other fans in our arena, I think it would take a lot away from the experience of going to a live game. And besides, MLK would be really pissed if we started segregation again haha.

Flyers 10-11 season slogan: "Remember Emery?"

by JpH89 on Oct 29, 2010 5:15 PM EDT reply actions

I prefer the “saboteur” to invader since I already live in Pitt…

Fact is most of the Pens fans here really do not a full grasp on the game or team they support. Try getting one to talk about what their team was like before Mario came along. I mean “go home Flyers”? In Philly? Really?

Then again, most of these guys think that trading the goalie that got them a Cup two years ago and moving Craig Adams to the Malkin(Sulkin!) line just because he got 3 points in the 1st period against the Bolts would fix all their problems.

But I digress, I’m not really for creating a visitors’ section at our house or any other house for that matter. Who knows? there might be an intelligent hockey fan who wears colors other than your own that you can temporarily put a rivalry aside for a little while and just BS about a game that we’re equally passionate about.

A Flyers fan in Pittsburgh and doing my part to make them uncomfortable.

by Daniel Ramirez on Oct 29, 2010 5:16 PM EDT reply actions

looks like I’m missing words and noting my own grammatical errors as well. dammit. not sick or anything, just amped for tonight’s game

A Flyers fan in Pittsburgh and doing my part to make them uncomfortable.

by Daniel Ramirez on Oct 29, 2010 5:19 PM EDT up reply actions

I know how you feel! There’s a test to see which “Pens” fans are worth a damn, and which are just Stiller fans with nothing else to do. Just say the word, “Kasparaitis.” Their reaction should tell you exactly how long they’ve actually cared about their team.

From Parts Unknown...
Currently behind enemy lines, plotting to blow up an Igloo.

by Dos Furioso on Oct 29, 2010 5:53 PM EDT up reply actions

I don’t think I want to endorse the idea of away fans coming here for a pleasant experience. Nor would I want to sit in a segregated section at the United Center. I like the boos. I don’t instigate it, but if you’re going into another’s building, the hostility is part of the experience.

by Snevik on Oct 29, 2010 5:18 PM EDT reply actions

There won’t be any shortage of hostility or boos. If anything I imagine it would be ratcheted up.

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by JasonB on Oct 29, 2010 5:47 PM EDT up reply actions

Flyers Section

Tonight in the Consol Energy Centre, the Flyers section will be Section 233, Row F, Seat 5.

From Parts Unknown...
Currently behind enemy lines, plotting to blow up an Igloo.

by Dos Furioso on Oct 29, 2010 5:44 PM EDT reply actions

I, Dos Furioso, am too furious to remain in my underground lair while the Flyers battle it out with Bettman’s army! I will be there to strike fear into the hearts of all the Cake Eaters in this filthy city known as Pixburgh.

From Parts Unknown...
Currently behind enemy lines, plotting to blow up an Igloo.

by Dos Furioso on Oct 29, 2010 5:50 PM EDT up reply actions

That. Is. AWESOME!!!

Flyers Fans: We've survived Lock-outs, Lindros and Cooperalls. If you want to get rid of us, you'll have to split an atom or two.

by KreiderDesigns on Oct 29, 2010 6:02 PM EDT up reply actions

Hard to take you seriously with a collection of Harry Potter books behind you…

Just saying.

"You can commit no mistake and still lose. That is not a weakness. That is life." - Jean-Luc Picard

by EREX21 on Oct 29, 2010 6:43 PM EDT up reply actions

Umm, you knew what they were….

G, the second coming of Foppa.

by JerseyDriver on Oct 29, 2010 6:45 PM EDT up reply actions

I put my face closer to the screen and read the side of the book. Unless you can’t read English it isn’t that hard to figure out.

"You can commit no mistake and still lose. That is not a weakness. That is life." - Jean-Luc Picard

by EREX21 on Oct 29, 2010 6:46 PM EDT up reply actions

lol, was looking at the costume, didn’t even notice them till you mentioned it.

G, the second coming of Foppa.

by JerseyDriver on Oct 29, 2010 6:47 PM EDT up reply actions

I do like the costume but then I started looking at everything else in the picture…books, mask on the second to bottom shelf, books, wedding photo etc.

"You can commit no mistake and still lose. That is not a weakness. That is life." - Jean-Luc Picard

by EREX21 on Oct 29, 2010 6:48 PM EDT up reply actions

not every one is a twilight fan like you EREX21

Flyers 10-11 season slogan: "Remember Emery?"

by JpH89 on Oct 30, 2010 11:12 AM EDT up reply actions

ZING!

"In fact, it is probably safe to say, the statement "I am a hockey fan" is the same as "I hate gary bettman."- bfrank27

by Mike B on D on Oct 30, 2010 12:44 PM EDT up reply actions

Very cool, where’d you get the mask?

G, the second coming of Foppa.

by JerseyDriver on Oct 29, 2010 6:45 PM EDT up reply actions

I do think this is a great idea, to have a designated Visitor Section, I wish all pro sports teams adopted it, not really sure why that hasn’t caught on yet.

"You can commit no mistake and still lose. That is not a weakness. That is life." - Jean-Luc Picard

by EREX21 on Oct 29, 2010 6:45 PM EDT reply actions

While I’ve never been to any games at the WFC ( or any of it’s other aliases, if it’s anything like the Xcel Energy Center here in St. Paul where the Mn Wild play I wholeheartedly agree with designated seating.
I love to go see they Flyers when they are in town, and before the game at the bars I see tons of other Flyers fans decked out in their jerseys & Flyers gear and we’re all giving each other fist bumps & high fives & stuff. Then inside the arena it’s like “where did they all go?” I’m basically alone in what ever section I’m in, there may a couple guys 10 rows up or whatever, there’s usually a small group behind the visitors (flyers) bench. In other words we’re all scattered to the four winds. I cheer my loudest when the Flyers score, but my voice is totally lost in there. There’s nothing like celebrating with like- minded fans, makes it all the more sweeter, but to be a lone wolf in a huge crowd….it’s not the celebratory occasion it should be.

I’m an alum of the University of North Dakota, here in Minnesota Golden Gopher territory when I wear my Fighting Sioux stuff into their hockey arena (they have a visitors band section but not a visitors designated viewing section), I have been cursed at and a couple times very frightened by (drunk) people around me to the point that I was almost afraid for my safety (I am a female).
So yes, I think a visitors section would be a great idea, even if it is on the tier above the main seating. Just to be with other Flyers fans in my hometown would be an awesome experience.

by I'dRatherBeInPhilly on Oct 29, 2010 11:18 PM EDT reply actions

This is actually why I don’t want one. Why make it easier for their voices to be heard? That and I don’t want to sit near that section if I feel the need to raz a opposing fan. And I’m fairly easy going in my razzing. I’ve never had trouble at away games (although we almost had an issue going into Grand Central in Flyers gear during a Rangers game one time).

I’ve even gotten friendly with a Devil’s fan (I know, I know… I still feel kinda dirty about that. But she was cool and engaged to a Flyers fan).

"In fact, it is probably safe to say, the statement "I am a hockey fan" is the same as "I hate gary bettman."- bfrank27

by Mike B on D on Oct 30, 2010 12:49 PM EDT up reply actions

Can’t the penn’s fans just watch the game in the parking lot from their bandwagaon? That thing must have cable.

by Angrycoder on Oct 29, 2010 11:57 PM EDT reply actions

excellent

idea! I second that!!!!

by dirkhead on Oct 30, 2010 11:47 AM EDT up reply actions

As long as they keep that bandwagon in their OWN stadium lot, I’m fine with that.

"In fact, it is probably safe to say, the statement "I am a hockey fan" is the same as "I hate gary bettman."- bfrank27

by Mike B on D on Oct 30, 2010 12:52 PM EDT up reply actions

their bandwagon is an ‘83 Pontiac Bonneville. It’s lucky to have an 8 track much less cable.

A Flyers fan in Pittsburgh and doing my part to make them uncomfortable.

by Daniel Ramirez on Nov 1, 2010 12:33 PM EDT up reply actions

olden days

You’d have to nuts or half-drunk to wear opposing jersy’s to flyers home games in the 70’s!
I remember a brawl between a flyers guy and a new york rangers fan the dirty flyers guy didn’t even wait for the rangers fan to take off his glasses, he just clocked him and the glasses went flyin’ good old days!!! and once at the 700 level of an eagles game two eagles fan started brawlin’ and started rollin down the seating area like 20 rows floppin and boppin’over unsuspecting fans ha ha ha what a sight to see…. E~A~G~L~E~ ker pow!!!@@@@ a-holes and alcohol don’t mix y’all holla!

by dirkhead on Oct 30, 2010 11:46 AM EDT reply actions