Several thousand fans took the "Last Stroll" at the Spectrum yesterday, touring the Flyers' former locker room and the building - and standing on the concert stage.
The Spectrum will close Saturday with a Pearl Jam concert. The arena is expected to be torn down in April.
Fans wrote on the coaches' board in the Flyers' old locker room. Among the messages was a tribute to the building and to the late announcer Gene Hart: "Good night, good hockey, Spectrum."
Several former Flyers signed autographs, including Bernie Parent, Bill Barber, Dave Schultz, Ed Hospodar, Bob Kelly, Joe Watson, and Orest Kindrachuk.
At the end of the event, the fans broke into a final "Let's go, Flyers" chant.
Phantoms in Philly
The Phantoms, who were based in Philadelphia for 13 years before moving to Upstate New York this season, will return for an American Hockey League game against the Norfolk Admirals at 7 p.m. Dec. 4 at the Wachovia Center.
Peter Luukko, president of Comcast-Spectacor, called it a "terrific opportunity to see the next generation of Flyers players currently in our system. We also know there are a lot of Phantoms fans in the greater Philadelphia region who have asked us if we could get the Phantoms to return to play a game here."
Tickets for children 12 and younger cost $10. Individual tickets are priced at $19, $18, and $14, and are on sale online at Comcasttix.com, by telephone at 1-800-298-4200, or in person at the Wachovia Center box office.
A limited number of front-row tickets at ice level, without the children's discount, are available for $33 through the same outlets.
Breakaways
Backup goalie Brian Boucher will make his first start of the season tonight against visiting San Jose, his former team. Ray Emery will return to the nets Tuesday in Washington. . . . Defenseman Ryan Parent (groin) skated with the team at yesterday morning's workout, and center Blair Betts (dislocated shoulder) is expected to have contact at tomorrow's practice. The Flyers hope both are ready for Saturday's 1 p.m. home game against Carolina.
- Sam Carchidi
