I work with hockey fans. I’m friends with hockey fans. Hell, I have friends who play the game.
But I’m not a hockey fan.
It’s not that I don’t like the hockey, it’s just that I have a hard time following the puck on TV. And frankly, aside from the occasional Phillies game, soccer pretty much takes up all of my attention when it comes to sports.
That said, I’m as happy as can be for the Flyers, their fans and the city for the incredible success they’ve had so far in the Stanley Cup playoffs. I was in third grade when the Broad Street Bullies won their first Stanley Cup and, like thousands of kids in and around Philly, I became for a time an avid street hockey player. I watched last Friday’s spectacular come-from-behind win against the Bruins—the perfect ending for a come-from-behind series—at my weekend job at the 700 and it was everything you could hope for from a sporting event.
After handily defeating the Canadiens in the first two games of the playoff series, a Flyers win on Thursday combined with a win on Saturday means that the Flyers are going to the Stanley Cup.
But there lies a problem.
You see, I’m the guy who organizes the schedule of soccer games we show at the 700. And this Saturday, fifteen minutes after the start of the Champions League final between Bayern Munich and Inter Milan, the Flyers will play the Canadiens in that potentially decisive fourth game.
I can assure you that the 700 will be showing the Champions League final. After all, many of the people that will be there for the final have been faithfully going there for Champions League games since the fall. Hell, we got the TV to show soccer.
I can also assure you that showing the final will piss off some of our customers. But at least they will have plenty of options when it comes to finding place to see the Flyers. I don’t have to tell you that, Flyers or not, that isn’t the case when it comes to finding a place to watch soccer.
All of which got me thinking: What’s the Philly soccer fan who also likes hockey going to do? Maybe you’re not a die-hard Flyers fan but find the buzz surrounding the Flyers success intoxicating. Maybe you watch any Philly team that’s doing well.
So, what are you going to do?
Are you watching the Champions League final or are you watching the Flyers play the Canadiens on Saturday?
I’m a soccer fan. I’m also like hockey, though I wouldn’t call myself a die-hard. I wouldn’t waste my time watching hockey if the Flyers weren’t playing.
Still, to me, it’s a no-brainer. I’m watching the Flyers.
While the Champions League final will no doubt provide some fine soccer play to watch, I couldn’t care less about who wins. Bayern? Inter-Milan? I’m not German and I’m not Italian. I’m not emotionally invested in it. No matter who wins, it’s not going to affect my mood that day.
I am a life-long Philadelphia fan though. I care very much if the Flyers win or lose, and I’ll join my fellow Philadelphia area fans in the joy of victory (hopefully) or the agony of defeat.
Like Michael, I’m a Philly sports fan. However, beside the Eagles, I usually wait for the post-season to keep track, and don’t, like Ed, care for watching hockey that much. When it comes down to it, I’d rather watch three year olds play munchkin league soccer, in that little pack with the ball banging around off knees, than hockey. Go Flyers.