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Flyers honor Ed Snider in emotional home opener

With his children watching from the ice, a banner was raised to the rafters honoring the late Ed Snider before the Flyers played their emotional home opener Thursday against Anaheim.

With his children watching from the ice, a banner was raised to the rafters honoring the late Ed Snider before the Flyers played their emotional home opener Thursday against Anaheim.

Fittingly, it was placed next to the Bobby Clarke banner. Clarke led the Flyers to consecutive Stanley Cups in 1973-74 and 1974-75 and became like a son to Snider, who died in April after a two-year battle with bladder cancer.

Before the game, the Flyers showed a tribute video on their 50-year history and Snider, who cofounded the team. This is the franchise's first season without the beloved Snider.

"The banner for Mr. Snider is well-deserved," right winger Jake Voracek said after the morning skate at the Wells Fargo Center. "Obviously, we miss him a lot, but we just have to focus on getting two points tonight."

"It's a special night for everybody that's going to be involved in it," said goalie Steve Mason, the Flyers' starter Thursday. "This organization is rich in history, and the Flyers are who they are because of Mr. Snider."

After visiting the ailing team chairman at his California mansion last spring, the Flyers used Snider as an inspiration and rallied in the second half of the season to make an improbable surge for a playoff spot.

Toward the end of the pregame festivities, photos of deceased Flyers - or those connected to the franchise - were shown on the video screen. When photos of Snider were displayed, the fans gave him a standing ovation.

Ghost's home opener

Thursday marked the first home opener for Shayne Gostisbehere, who was promoted from the Phantoms last November.

"It's obviously a little special because it's the first one, but I'm treating it like any other game," said Gostisbehere, who hit the post while the Flyers were on a power play in the first period.

Rookie watch

Rookie defenseman Ivan Provorov said his minus-5 performance in Tuesday's 7-4 loss in Chicago was "something you learn from and move on." He said it "happens to all of us. Even the best players make mistakes. If no one made mistakes, the games would end 0-0. What separates the best players from the average players is that [the best ones] just let it go."

Provorov had his parents and billet family from Wilkes-Barre at the game.

Left winger Travis Konecny, another 19-year-old rookie, had his parents, grandparents, girlfriend, and his father's "fire buddies from back home" at the Wells Fargo Center.

Breakaways

Nick Cousins returned to the lineup after being a healthy scratch in the previous game, replacing Roman Lyubimov. . . . Entering the night, Brandon Manning and Wayne Simmonds were ranked in the league's top 10 with 13 hits apiece.