Fly-hard fans can appreciate South Philly Tony's fib

BROAD STREET BULLY believes that Flyers humble goalie "Boosh" Boucher will channel the karma of Phillies humble catcher "Chooch" Ruiz tonight, stifle the Sabres, and thrill die-hards like South Philly Tony, who'll be rooting a long way from his roots:

S. PHILLY TONY IN TEXAS: South Philly Tony, a lifelong Flyers fan living in Houston, requested anonymity due to something complicated involving his obsession with women who look like Marisa Tomei, which began many years ago "with my first puppy love, Laura Pizzitola, from 4th and Porter."

Last year, Tony had no way of knowing that Game 6 of the Flyers' epic playoff series with Boston would fall on the night a group of attorneys, close friends and co-workers, were driving from Lafayette, La., for an elegant restaurant dinner with him that had been arranged weeks earlier.

During predinner cocktails, Tony said: "I feign a phone call, then explain that my girlfriend just returned from a business trip and was at the airport and couldn't find her keys, so I had to go get her. I said I would try to hook up with everyone later.

"I rush home, get out of my suit, put on my old Tony Amonte-11 Flyers sweater and rush to the hockey bar just in time for the opening faceoff."

During the game, South Philly Tony's friends called, asking where he was. "I text them that we didn't find her keys, so we had to go home, get her other set and drive back to the airport," Tony said.

After the Flyers won, Tony rushed home, changed clothes and made it to the restaurant in time for dessert. "I am applauded by the women because of my chivalry to my damsel in distress," Tony said.

"I am smiling inside - for both the win and my craftiness."

Tony has no dinner plans tonight. You'll find him at the Maple Leaf Pub, in Houston, watching his beloved Flyers.

"I wouldn't miss it if Marisa Tomei, Alyssa Milano and Maria Bello begged me to spend the night with them," he said. "Well, maybe I'd join them - if they had the game on."

TWIN FLY GIRLS: Twin girls Reagan and Riley Piechowski, 13 months old, of Bellmawr, N.J., were born just before the 2010 playoffs - and immediately began rocking Flyers gear.

"When we found out we were having twins," said die-hard papa John Piechowski, "the first purchases my wife, Theresa, made were matching Flyers hats, infant bodysuits and socks. Now, the girls watch the games and, at times, might be startled by their dad's outbursts when J.J. [Jim Jackson] announces a goal.

"One of the first dates me and my wife went on was a 2005 Flyers game," Piechowski said. "Surprisingly, she stuck with me even after she got a firsthand experience of how I reacted when [then-Flyer Simon] Gagne scored a game winner."

Piechowski, who doesn't miss a Flyers game, plans to watch tonight's at home. "Staying home allows me to make my loud, outlandish comments during the game without getting into trouble," he said.