By TIM KELLY
Are you ready for some hockey?
After a four-month absence of all pro sports, we’re guessing that Philadelphia Flyers fans’ answer would be an emphatic “yes!”
Throw in a big 4-1 win in their start-up game over the intensely disliked Boston Bruins, and the high hopes for the Flyers’ first Stanley Cup championship since 1975, the excitement is palpable.
Sea Isle City will be ground zero for Flyers fun on Monday August 10 when the organization, in cooperation with the City of Sea Isle City and its Recreation Department, will stage a “Mobile Pep Rally” through the streets of the town.
“Sea Isle is most definitely Flyers country,” said Katherine Custer, Public Information Officer for the resort, which has a long history of hosting events in conjunction with Philly’s NHL franchise.
The socially-distanced Mobile Pep Rally (don’t call it a parade!) begins at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, Aug.10.
It will travel along Park Road, also known as “Fish Alley” from JFK Blvd. to 48th Street, then on 48th Street from Park to Central, left on Central Avenue to 36th, then 36th from Central to Cini Avenues and finally Cini back to JFK.
Spectators are strongly encouraged to socially distance themselves from others, and it’s also a good idea to wear a mask, organizers said.
“The Flyers have a great community outreach program,” said Custer. “The relationship dates back to the early days of the franchise. Many Flyers Alumni members and current Flyers and ex-Flyers have homes in Sea Isle and the Stanley Cup itself has been on display in previous years.”
She continued, “For years we hosted mini hockey clinics with the Flyers called Hooked on Hockey. And in the last few years we have been a stop on their Community Caravan, an event with games, and appearances with Flyers Alumni and Gritty (the Flyers’ wildly popular mascot). This is something new and different we’re looking forward to.”
After Sunday’s win over the Bruins, the Flyers had two more “seeding games” on their schedule this week to determine where they would be seeded for the upcoming Stanley Cup playoffs. All the games are taking place within a “protected zone” or “bubble” bear Toronto in Ontario, Canada.
After Sunday’s game the Flyers held the second seed behind the top-seeded Tampa Bay Lightning and ahead of the third seeded Washington Capitals and fourth-seeded Boston. Philly could clinch no worse than a third seed for the playoffs with a win in regulation over Washington tomorrow.
Their final of three seeding games will take place Aug. 8 vs. Tampa Bay. Thus, Philly’s final seeding position will be known prior to the Pep Rally.
Gritty will be on hand for the Mobile Prep Rally, Custer said, and the event will feature former Flyer players, the Flyers cheerleaders, free giveaways, music and more.
“We hope everyone comes out to cheer the Flyers on,” she said.
Bill Kehner Jr. of the Sea Isle Recreation Department is the City’s liaison for the event.
For more information, call the recreation department at 609-263-0050.
